Media Mentor, Rooted in Trust Colombia 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, Brazil, Mali, DRC, Sudan and South Sudan. We work to create impact at the local level and 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 1 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. They will help to better understand and respond to the needs of journalists in this crisis in relation to information, content and skills and approaches in combating misinformation.

LOGISTICS

This is a remote-first position. The ideal candidate is based in Choco, Putumayo, Vapues, Caquetá and Valle del Cauca departments. However, remote candidates based elsewhere will also be considered. You must have work authorization in your 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.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

This is a limited duration position, with an expected term of 4 months.

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:

Media Support

• Create and update a database of media organizations and prominent journalists in Colombia, including basic brief of capacity, language needs and key contacts;
• Create or support existing peer-to-peer learning platforms for journalists in Colombia to understand the journalists and media grassroot organizations’ support needs, share story ideas, ask questions, and receive support form Internews experts and health and humanitarian partners;
• 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 Colombia 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 programming.

Media Roundtables: Organize semi-regular roundtable events designed to discuss pressing timely issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• This will include choosing the appropriate date/platform/venue; identifying guests and topics; etc.
• Identify media and Internews partners to invite to the event, including large and small media houses, freelance journalists, and influencers as well as humanitarian and health agencies;
• Design feedback methodology to evaluate event(s).

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• 5 years of relevant working experience in the media in Colombia;
• Strong experience with communication, media development, social media monitoring, or similar;
• Experience working in humanitarian contexts an/or working in challenging environments andhaving a strong understanding of how to work with local authorities, international agencies like the UN, INGOs 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;
• Fluent written and spoken Spanish and English;
• Experience working with Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities to gather their concerns and issues, turning these into engaging content;
• Awareness of, and familiarity with, the issues and dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia and/or other health crises in humanitarian contexts a strong asset, but not required
• In all duties, demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values