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Humanitarian Reporting Trainer - RADIO - Iraq

5:22:00 PM
Iraq Humanitarian Information Service (HIS)
Position: Humanitarian Reporting Trainer – RADIO (HRT/RADIO)
Reports to: Project Director / Humanitarian Liaison
Location: Erbil, Iraq
Duration:6 months initially
Anticipated start date: ASAP, depending on confirmation of funding
Deadline for applications: Applications will be reviewed as they are received
Position subject to confirmation of funding
BACKGROUND:
For the first time in an emergency response, an inter-agency team comprised of UN, NGOs and a media development agency carried out a rapid community consultation with displaced people in camp and non-camp settings, including host communities to understand information needs, access and preferred communication channels for populations affected by the crisis in Iraq.
This exercise (Aug 17-22, 2014) included discussions with aid agencies, local authorities, local media and telecommunication providers to understand current activities and the capacity to meet the information needs of affected populations. A team comprised of OCHA, UNHCR, World Vision International and Internews carried out the field exercise in Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah Governorates with support from NRC and IOM.
Preliminary findings are concerning. Displaced populations only have access to conflicting and broken information regarding the provision of basic services, creating confusion, isolation and mistrust. To date, IDPs are mostly relying on mobile phones to keep connected to family members left behind and to follow security developments in their areas of origin.
Populations affected by crises need more than physical necessities. Information and communication are forms of aid in its own right, “people need information as much as water, food, medicine or shelter.” See 2-minute animation at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6bB0y8DdYY
As part of a Communications with Communities (CwC) Working Group Appeal lead by OCHA, humanitarian partners are mobilizing resources to start working with preferred communication channels, such as face-to-face communication, mobile phones, print materials and local media.
Internews, pending confirmation of funding, wants to strengthen the 2-way communication between displaced communities, host communities and humanitarian agencies through print (i.e. weekly newspapers) and audio products (i.e. daily humanitarian podcasts) that will:
  • Provide communities timely, accurate, and well-targeted humanitarian information.
  • Improve the capacity of media partners to produce and disseminate quality humanitarian reporting by better understanding relief operations, liaising more effectively with aid agencies and managing and sharing audience feedback.
  • Increase the effectiveness and accountability of the humanitarian response as communities gain understanding of how to access relief services, understand aid operations, its limitations and challenges, and ability to communicate with aid agencies.
  • Assist in mitigating potential conflict between host communities and internally displaced people through communication.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HUMANITARIAN REPORTING TRAINER (RADIO):
The Humanitarian Reporting Trainer - RADIO will play a vital role in the setting up and rolling out a series of weekly newspaper bulletins that will be a vital component of a 6-month Humanitarian Information Service targeting IDP and refugee populations. Specifically, the Humanitarian Reporting Trainer (RADIO) will support the project in the following capacities:
  • In coordination with the Project Director/Humanitarian Liaison and with the Humanitarian Reporting Trainer for PRINT design, implement and oversee all aspects of a regular training and mentoring program for local reporters working with Internews on humanitarian reporting and reporters from local media organizations, as required.
  • Support the production of high-quality bi-lingual radio programs (Kurdish and Arabic) that highlight humanitarian news and features, including but not limited to services available to IDPs and refugees, as well as health, registration and protection issues. Be aware of issues that matter to host communities and ensure coverage of such issues in ways that mitigate rather than fuel conflict.
  • In coordination with the Project Director/Humanitarian Liaison, liaise with humanitarian agencies for the production of humanitarian broadcast services and information bulletins to disseminate important messages, news and information for IDPs and refugees (e.g. regarding food/water/shelter material distribution points, medical facilities and mobile media clinics, registration processes, announcements, etc.).
  • Propose story ideas for radio programming as required (e.g. sourcing stories and information from different stakeholders and assisting production team in arranging interviews; helping with the production when necessary; and arranging logistics and meetings/visits for the production team, as required).
  • Liaise with relevant humanitarian agencies in the production of humanitarian news and information to disseminate important messages, news and information for affected communities (e.g. regarding food/water/shelter material distribution points, medical facilities and mobile medical clinics, registration processes, announcements, etc.), as required.
  • Compile regular and timely rundowns of the humanitarian radio programs for distribution to the wider humanitarian community through the Project Director/Humanitarian Liaison.
  • Any other duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Fluency in spoken and written English. Arabic and/or Kurdish will be an asset.
  • Minimum 5 years of radio broadcasting experience.
  • Experience in facilitation and training using hands-on participatory approaches.
  • Experience in broadcast training and mentoring, preferably in relation to humanitarian issues.
  • Proficient in use of digital field recording equipment, basic studio equipment and software, such as Adobe Audition, CoolEdit Pro and/or similar software packages.
  • Experience living and working in challenging environments, including humanitarian responses, and/or developing countries and/or conflict zones. Previous experience in the MENA region and specifically in Iraq will be an asset.
  • Good knowledge of the mandates and modalities of the international humanitarian sector.
  • Proven interpersonal and networking skills to liaise authoritatively with figures from the aid and donor communities and host governments.
  • Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics in the work place.
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a challenging and a highly fluid environment.
  • An understanding of the vision/mission, core values and objectives of Internews.
  • Understanding of and passion for communicating with disaster-affected communities.
  • Excellent communication and reporting skills, both written and oral.
  • Excellent administrative and organizational skills.
  • Psychological resilience and a sense of humor.
Learn more about Internews' Humanitarian Communication Programs online and follow our work also on Twitter: @jqg @internews and @internewseurope#commisaid.
How to apply:
TO APPLY:
Please visit Internews' website to apply:

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