Nile Basin Media Network Community Manager and Coach (70 expert days between October 2023 – March 2025)

Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT) is a German non-profit organisation that implements media development projects in crisis regions. Activities focus on the interplay between conflict, media coverage and reconciliation. MiCT’s services comprise the training of journalists and media producers, programme and content development, radio and film production, magazine and book publishing, as well as media research and monitoring in conflict regions.

“Strengthening Media Capacities and Networks in the Nile Basin” aims to amplify balanced and constructive narratives around water resource management and cooperation in the Nile Basin region. The project is a collaboration between Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT), the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), and other partners.

The project’s overall objective is to strengthen media capacities and networks in the Nile Basin to support constructive and solution-oriented approaches to water-related conflicts in the Nile Basin.

The specific objectives of the project are:

• To reach a broad audience of Nile Basin citizens with in-depth, fact-based and constructive reporting on Nile Basin issues.
• To strengthen and expand the existing network of multimedia Nile Basin journalists and media organisations, widening ownership over the network to include more stakeholders and journalists in the region.
• To generate incentives for journalists and media houses to engage in more fact-based and constructive reporting on Nile Basin issues.

The Community Manager and Coach position is central to the implementation of the project “Strengthening Media Capacities and Networks in the Nile Basin.” This role aims to provide comprehensive training and on-the-job coaching to journalists, media houses, and radio stations to create a constructive and solution-oriented narrative about Nile Basin issues. The community manager and coach will also work closely with cluster coordinators across the basin to strengthen media capacities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Training Preparation and Implementation
   • Prepare comprehensive training modules in collaboration with Project Coordinator and partners.
   • Conduct four training conferences aimed at skill development and constructive reporting in the Nile Basin context.
2. On-the-job Coaching
   • Provide continuous coaching and mentoring to journalists and media houses who are grant recipients under the project.
   • Monitor progress and offer timely feedback to story pitches and drafts.
3. Management of Cluster Coordinators
   • Identify and onboard a team of cluster coordinators to manage content generation by the Network.
   • Enable cluster coordinators to provide effective peer-to-peer support to their fellow network members.
   • Assess and provide feedback for improving the cluster coordination mechanism.
4. Community Engagement
   • Maintain steady communication among the community of journalists (e.g. through email updates, shared WhatsApp group).
   • Facilitate a culture of constructive engagement and debate within the network.
5. Other Tasks
   • Liaise with Project Coordinator on implementation of network activities.
   • Participate in the juries for reporting grants and the NBI’s Media Awards.
   • Provide input to the overall project reporting.
   • Provide occasional input to updates for the project website and social media platforms.

Requirements:

• A master’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in journalism, with a focus on training and capacity building.
• Demonstrable experience in coaching and community management, preferably in the Nile Basin.
• Strong networking and communication skills.
• Fluent in English.
• Regional experience in the Nile Basin an advantage.