Mali: Media Mentor, Rooted in Trust At Internews Network

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Rooted in Trust project works to combat COVID-19 rumors and misinformation in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Colombia, Mali, DRC, Sudan and South Sudan. We work to create impact at the local level an inform approaches to rumor management at the global level. The project is supported by a Global Technical Advisory team made up of media, humanitarian, data science and information management experts.

In Phase I of the project, we collected more than 19 thousand rumors in 14 languages and supported more than 30 local trusted information providers. In this critical phase of the pandemic, we will build on these efforts to listen and respond to the information challenges faced by vulnerable groups in humanitarian contexts, encouraging open dialogue between citizens and scientists and stronger and more collaborative partnerships between information providers (such as local media) and humanitarian and health sources.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Media Mentor will manage relationships between the project team and the local media. As the project’s health media specialist, the Media Mentor will help to better understand and respond to the needs of journalists during the pandemic in relation to training, information, and ensuring they are equipped to report on scientific aspects of the pandemic and to combat misinformation.

LOGISTICS

This is a remote-first position. The ideal candidate is based in Mali; however, remote candidates based elsewhere will also be considered. You must have work authorization in our location that does not require sponsorship from Internews.

Wherever possible, we work to try to find solutions for international hiring that work for both the company and the candidate. This means that some of the particulars around the offer for a role will be dependent on several factors, and that the benefits and salary structure that apply to a position will ultimately be based upon the candidate’s location and where the role is hired.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

In all duties, the candidate should demonstrate understanding of and commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.

Media Support

• Create a database of media organizations and prominent journalists in Mali, including basic brief of capacity, language needs, and key contacts;
• Create or support existing peer-to-peer learning platforms for journalists in Mali to understand the needs of journalists and media organizations, and connect them with training, resources, and opportunities to collaborate;
• Collaborate with Internews Health team to design and deliver training to journalists on health and science reporting or topics related to combating misinformation;
• Localize and contextualize global pandemic reporting resources created for journalists to ensure they meet the needs of local journalists;
• Connect with smaller, community based media and media who may broadcast in different languages to assess their needs;
• Connect with local, national, and regional media and journalists associations;
• Investigate what platforms (if any) are being used by media in Mali to share COVID-19 related information – particularly media and news outlets known to be utilized by marginalized and displaced populations;
• Establish or contribute to existing information sharing platforms to connect media with verified information and Internews products and support;
• Track the use of Internews partner-generated content and information;
• Connect with Media Engagement and training specialists in Internews offices in the region to provide support in accessing COVID-19 information and resources to support program planning. Media Roundtables

The candidate will organize semi-regular roundtable events designed to address pressing, timely issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will include:

• Choosing the appropriate date/platform/venue;
• Identifying guests and topics;
• Identifying media and Internews partners to invite to the events, including large and small media houses, freelance journalists and influencers as well as humanitarian and health agencies
• Designing feedback methodology to evaluate events**QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR**
• 5 years of relevant working experience in Mali media as a journalist, reporter, presenter, or editor
• Experience translating complex health and science issues for an audience
• Experience developing and implementing training for journalists
• Strong experience with communication, media development, social media monitoring, or similar
• Experience working in humanitarian contexts and/or working in challenging environments and a strong understanding of how to work with local authorities, international agencies like the UN, international NGOs, and local organizations and community representatives
• Excellent information management skills
• Strong interpersonal communication, organizational, teamwork, facilitation and presentation skills
• Strong writing skills and proven ability to produce high-quality reports and to work under tight deadlines
• Fluency in written and spoken French
• Fluency in English a distinct advantage
• Awareness of, and familiarity with, the issues and dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic and/or other health crises in humanitarian contexts a strong asset

Note: This position is posted in a High Physical Risk location. Conditions in the field ma include, but are not limited to, the following: compound living quarters, limited mobility outside of designated areas, limited in-country medical care or pharmacy, limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, limited access to high-speed internet, dress code requirements, unaccompanied posting, and required advanced safety and security training. If selected for an interview for this position, ensure you discuss specifics of living and working in this unique operating environment and consider them at length during the recruitment process.