COORDINATOR OF PROGRAMS
JOB DESCRIPTION
West African Democracy Radio (WADR), located in Dakar, Senegal, is an English Language service broadcasts on radio to West Africa. The immediate target audience is in the MANO River Union countries, i.e. Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, (MRU) and Dakar, Senegal. Output is varied with a strong emphasis on MRU current and social affairs.
Basic Function of the Position
The Coordinator of Programs keeps abreast of social, Open Society Issues, economic and political affairs at regional and where appropriate, at international level. The Coordinator of Programs provides regular and systemic strategic planning for the Production Unit. He develops the program content in line with the editorial policy and objectives of WADR in collaboration with the relevant staff of WADR. He coordinates the activities of the Production Unit (French and English Service), the Research Officer and the Country Offices through the Senior Producer. He works as part of the team of WADR staff and keeps tight deadlines, writes, and adapts and where possible translates recordings swiftly and accurately into English to suit radio broadcasts.
Key Duties and Performance Areas
The Coordinator of Production is required to undertake the following duties:
1. Program Development
- Conceive and develop programs and program schedule in line with the editorial policy and objectives of the WADR in collaboration with the other relevant members of staff.
- Conceive and propose programs to fill the program schedule in accordance with the expectations and the needs of WADR listeners.
- Responsible for maintaining the professional journalistic standards of accuracy, impartiality and fair dealing and adhering to the principles of an Open Society.
- Ensure that all programs meet the standards required by WADR.
- Be responsible for thinking through and around editorial problems, developing realistic alternative strategies and approaches.
- Offer ideas for items, programmes/series and to actively contribute to the editorial planning process.
- Be responsible for the professional contribution of staff and for the quality of provided output. Where appropriate to undertake personal performance review of staff.
- Be responsible for budgeting and ensuring efficient use of allocated resources.
- Act as the first referral point for legal and editorial queries.
- Assist the fundraiser in developing a fundraising strategy for WADR.
2. General Management of the Production Unit
- Research, report, write, translate, edit or adapt stories or programme materials
- Be responsible for the professional contribution of staff and for the quality of output provided. Where appropriate to undertake personal performance review of staff.
- Maintain professional journalistic standards of accuracy, impartiality and fair dealing and adhering to the principles of an Open Society.
- Be responsible for moving a story, amending and updating material as required.
- May be required to travel outside of Senegal on short reporting, or monitoring trips and assignments.
- Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the management.
Required Qualifications
a. Education:
The Coordinator of Programs must be educated to degree level or its equivalent.
b. Prior Work Experience:
At least five (5) years of experience working at a Broadcasting Station. Practical experience of the Internet and computer programs is essential.
c. Language Proficiency:
Level IV Fluency in English and French is required.
d. Knowledge:
The Coordinator of Programs must have demonstrated professional broad-based knowledge of the key elements, concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of programme and production materials. Vast political, economic and social knowledge of the MRU and West African issues and the sub-region are also essential. Extensive knowledge of the Internet, computer programs and an understanding of the potential of new technology and how to operate technical equipments are essential.
e. Skills and Abilities:
A good broadcasting voice and the ability y to acquire the appropriate presentation style. Management skills. Ability to write, adapt and translate with accuracy, clarity and style appropriate to differing audiences and forms of media. Good interpersonal skills with the ability to work with and manage a variety of personalities from various countries in West Africa and to effectively relate with people at different levels both inside and outside of WADR. Good planning and organisation skills with the ability to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources. Must be accountable with the ability to take decisions and remain responsible for them. Must possess developed management skills with emphasis on:
Time Management: Efficiency in the use of own and other’s time in order to achieve maximum productivity and to work within deadlines.
Managing Relationships and Team Working: must possess the capability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people; work co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.
Budgetary Skills: must possess a sound appreciation of the need and ability to operate within financial limits.
The Coordinator of Programs should be a creative thinker with the ability to transform creative ideas into practical reality; look at existing situations and problems in novel ways and come up with creative solutions. He should possess sound communication skills with the possibility to get one’s message understood clearly in the department and in programmes by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and nature of the information.
Developing others: Recognise potential (management, professional, artistic or otherwise) and is willing to foster the development of that potential. Creates a climate in which potential can be realised.
Resilience: Manages emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
Flexibility: Adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. To understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one’s own organisation or job requirements.
Position Elements
a. Supervision Received:
The Coordinator of Programs works independently on a wide range of program coordination related responsibilities with wide latitude for independent judgment and professional action. This position reports to the Radio Station Manager.
b. Available Guidelines:
WADR guidelines which include WADR policy statement on programme and production development. The Coordinator of Programs must exercise substantial discretion in applying whatever policy guidance is applicable to a given situation.
c. Exercise of Judgment:
The Coordinator of Production should demonstrate objective judgement based on WADR guidelines, to make the right editorial decisions, taking into account conflicting views where necessary. Should be able to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others and to draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change, or to raise funds.
d. Authority to Make Commitments:
Clears key written communications with the Station Manager.
e. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts:
The Coordinator of Programs maintains extensive contacts with a wide range of professionals including Media institutions, academics and other donors.
f. Supervision Exercised:
The Coordinator of Programs works closely with the Senior Producer and the Production team, the Researcher, the Engineer/Technician, the Administrator/Fundraiser and other Staff members of WADR in Dakar, Senegal.
He is responsible for the WADR Country Offices in the Manu River Union countries.
(This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved, but a statement of the required characteristics of the job).
A detailed job description could be found at the WADR website.
Please apply preferably electronically by november 30th 2007 by sending a letter of interest, resume (English and French), and list of references to: mgueye@osiwa.org. |
