Job: International Media Support (IMS) is looking for a Deputy Director of Programmes

Deputy Director of Programmes

International Media Support (IMS) is looking for a Deputy Director of Programmes

International Media Support is an international non-profit organisation that supports local media and human rights groups in countries affected by conflict, political transition and authoritarian rule. Set up in 2001, the organisation has since then worked with hundreds of local and international partners to support independent journalism, freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.

The organisation is currently revising its overall strategy with a view to making it responsive to the changes the world is experiencing in terms of socio-political and conflict-related challenges, powerful movements for social equality as well as technology-driven developments that confront the world’s independent media and human rights groups. Parallel to its strategy revision, IMS is engaged in the ongoing improvement of its programmes to ensure that they meet the high demands set by its global network of partners, its funders, and IMS itself.

The organisation is looking for a Deputy Director of Programmes who can help lead these efforts by driving the ongoing development and institutionalisation of key tools and methodologies focused on furthering independent journalism and quality improvement of programmes, while the Executive Director continues their focus on overall strategic development of the organisation as a whole. A primary task will be to ensure that the organisation remains at the forefront of relevant developments as they relate to media and technology, human rights, international and regional developments, conflicts, social and environmental change.

IMS’ current management consists of an Executive Director, a Deputy Director of Operations and four Heads of Department, each of whom oversee a geographic region of programmes, as well as the Head of the organisation’s Finance and Resources department. The organisation also has a number of cross-cutting support and development units. It is governed by a Board which includes international media, human rights and civil society experts as well as representatives appointed by its Danish founders. IMS’ head office is in Copenhagen and the organisation has presence in the Middle East and North Africa, Asia and Africa. The organisation is funded by the Scandinavian governments, the European Union, private foundations, and others.

Job summary

The overall objective of the role as Deputy Director is to work with the Executive Director as part of the organisation’s management group to lead efforts to implement and institutionalise the organisation’s strategy including work to refine its key methodologies and to deepen the quality of its programmes and results. The Deputy Director is a new position. The Deputy Director will report to IMS’ Executive Director and the IMS Board.

Main responsibilities

The scope of work entails, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Taking a leading role in the ongoing development and institutionalisation of IMS’ core and specific approaches to independent journalism, safety for journalists and freedom of expression work in its programmes.
• Overseeing efforts to enhance the convergence between programme development, learning, results and communication.
• Overseeing work to enhance programmatic quality and results, including by strengthening learning and providing advice to programmes to ensure that objectives are being achieved and high quality is maintained at all levels.
• Ensuring the ongoing streamlining of and improvement to the organisation’s substantive expertise and their application in programmes together with Heads of Departments.
• Oversee together with IMS’ management the gender mainstreaming of IMS’ programmes, policies and strategies.
• Providing departments and individual programmes with appropriate advice related to strategic aspects of programmes and donor relations.
• Overseeing efforts to enhance visibility of the organisation through strengthened public profiling, improved results communication, and donor reporting.
• Assisting the Executive Director in the management of relationships with key donors.

Candidate profile

• A post-graduate degree in a relevant field.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, media and freedom of expression, human rights or adjacent field.
• Solid understanding of the media development and/or freedom of expression fields, including knowledge of key stakeholders globally.
• Broad experience with programme management in an international development context.
• Experience in fundraising and proposal development for government funders including, ideally, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
• Ability to lead through example and to inspire colleagues; experience in managing staff and delegating responsibility.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing in English.
• Ability to work constructively with colleagues at all levels in the organisation as well as external partners.

Everyone with the required qualifications and skills is encouraged to apply, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.  

Duration and location   

Duty station:  IMS headquarters, Copenhagen, Denmark. Starting date: As soon as possible.  

How to apply 

Please submit an Application letter and CV with relevant qualifications no later than 25th of June 2019. Interviews with selected candidates will take place end of June 2019.

For further information about IMS please visit www.mediasupport.org 

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