Niger: Media/Security Trainer

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries. We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures. For more information on Counterpart, please visit our website at www.Counterpart.org

Summary of Position:

Counterpart International is currently seeking a Media/Security Trainer for the Security Governance Initiative(SGI) under its United States Agency for International Developoment funded program, the Participatory Responsive Governance – Principal Activity (PRG-PA) program in Niger. This is a full time position based in Niger and will report directly to the Chief of Party of PRG-PA .

Through PRG-PA and SGI Counterpart will assist the Government of Niger (GoN) in promoting more effective public communication of the Nigerien military establishment with the public. SGI is a White House-mandated program to work with Niger and five other priority countries to develop their capacity to manage and oversee their security policies with transparency and accountability, consistent with democratic governance.

It is anticipated that Counterpart will engage diverse stakeholders, including the Government of Niger (GoN), civil society actors, and the media to conduct action-research on security priorities, promote dialogue between the government and citizens on security issues and catalyze the adoption of reforms and measures to improve communication on security and defense policy. PRG-PA SGI’s key target beneficiaries will consist of the media, journalists, and civil society organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Media Trainer will liaise with Government officials, civil society organizations, media, private sector actors, and the diplomatic community to promote targeted, effective, and coordinated support to SGI. S/he is expected to establish and maintain contacts with relevant Government Officials, community leaders, as well as civil society organizations and local private sector actors involved in SGI.

Will provide overall strategic and technical assistance to develop programming aimed at:

• Promoting dialogue between government and communities
• Strengthening public trust and collaboration
• Strengthening media capacity on defense and security issues
• Supporting, developing, expanding and professionalizing civil-military community outreach programs (SGI is a joint activity with other Unites States Government (USG) partners engaging defense and security sector) in order to engender a mutually trustful relationship between the GoN and public to pre-empt the proliferation of false information.
• Providing technical assistance to enhance the professionalism of journalists and media stakeholder to report on security and defense policy

Anticipated Civil Society Organization (CSO) and citizen-centered activities will include:

• Conducting a media mapping to identify how Nigeriens obtain security information
• Supporting the development of a GoN communication plan to target important audiences (CSOs, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), key leaders, conflict- and insecurity-affected populations, etc.). This plan is envisioned to be implemented with other USG partners that will engage the Ministry of Defense and Security
• Developing innovative communication content for targeted audiences (participatory theatre, social media, etc.)
• Training CSOs on advocacy techniques so that they are better able to push for reform on security related issues
• Supporting the development of community radio in the areas where it does not exist

Anticipated Journalists and Media-Centered Activities will include:

• Training workshops with print and broadcast journalist on how to focus reporting and medialization of substantive security sector issues
• Training workshops and on-the-job mentoring for media actors on how to use new media strategies; how to better use social and mobile media for substantive coverage of security sector issues
• Targeted training and network strengthening for media practitioners to enhance issue reporting and programming on security sector issues
• Professional media organizations supported to establish contacts with security and defense personnel in charge of public relations
• Multi-stakeholder dialogue on security sector related issue and policy

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Advanced university degree in journalism, communications or a related field; a combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience with security sector or criminal justice communication units;
• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience with media;
• Proven effectiveness in managing high-level host government relationships;
• Experience building civil society capacity and promoting civil society–government dialogue;
• Professional, policy or academic experience with civilian oversight of the security sector;
• Experience with security sector reform;
• Familiarity with political economy analysis;
• Experience designing, leading and conducting training workshop, and build capacity of civil society;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information. Absolute integrity and discretion is essential;
• Strong multi-tasking skills, meeting deadlines, and performing under pressure;
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID and other USG rules, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Professional written and oral fluency in both English and French.

Preferred:

• Prior experience working in Niger or in Africa;
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural and diverse team;
• Security sector journalism experience preferred.

All qualified candidates can apply to this position by submitting a copy of their most up to date resume, three professional references and updated USAID 1420 salary history form to stesfagiorgis@counterpart.org with "Niger Media/Security Trainer" in the subject line. Please no follow up phone calls or emails, only finalists will be contacted.