Academic Director Jobs in Northampton, Northamptonshire
Internews seeks an experienced Project Director for a four-year European Commission (EC)-funded project to advance the global response to increasing the resilience of at-risk independent media. The Project Director will lead and manage a consortium of four international NGO and academic implementing partners, overseeing and coordinating the design and implementation of a diverse portfolio of activities in multiple countries worldwide, as well as project monitoring and evaluation and a robust learning agenda. Strong skills in project financial management and communications are required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
· Lead the Inception Phase of the project, working closely with consortium members, the EC, and other awardees to finalize target country selection, select research initiatives, draft the project workplan and monitoring and evaluation plan, and determine country-based activities.
· Serve as Internews’ primary point of contact with the European Commission, establishing and managing strong partnerships and dialogue with EC representatives in Brussels as well as country-level delegations.
· Effectively manage the project consortium, ensuring transparent communication processes and protocols.
· Pro-actively coordinate activity design and management with Internews Regional and Thematic Directors who manage Internews programming in key geographic regions and technical areas.
· Provide strategic, operational and representational assistance to ensure that activities are meeting their goals and targets, recommending program adjustments when necessary to keep the project on track;
· Regularly travel to London and Brussels, as well as target countries, for project and donor management purposes;
· Cultivate and strengthen relationships with local partner organizations and ensure that implementation is responsive to the needs of partners and beneficiaries;
· Track and report project progress and activities monthly against work plans;
· Oversee program monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation and to measure activity impact;
· Working with the Monitoring and Evaluations specialist and team, ensure a robust learning agenda and deliver a learning symposium at project’s end with the consortium and EC.
· Maintain a thorough knowledge of key issues affecting independent media (print, broadcast, digital), and a general understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing independent media globally;
· Ensure the project is in compliance with all grant and cooperative agreement rules, requirements and regulations as well as with Internews internal policies and procedures;
· Serve as the primary budget authority over the project, responsible for ensuring all costs charged to the project are allowable, reasonable and correctly allocated;
· Accept fiduciary responsibility for all funds advanced for the purpose of the project;
· Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage and oversee all project staff.Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS
· At least 10 years of experience in media and program development, including senior-level management of personnel and financial administration;
· Donor grant management experience with EU funding and wider donor experience is essential;
· Professional experience in the media sector is an asset; experience managing assistance programs supporting media and/or civil society required.
· Experience as a manager or trainer with professional capacity-building programs for journalists and media outlets an asset.
· Demonstrated knowledge and experience in some or all of the following areas:traditional, digital, and social media; media and internet law and policy; information disorders/ disinformation; and/or sustainability models for media;
· Excellent soft skills, including diplomacy, interpersonal and communication skills, with a problem-solving attitude and as a self-starter who works both independently and as a collaborative team player;
· Willingness to travel regularly to London and Brussels, as well as target country visits;
· Additional language skills are a plus;
· University degree or equivalent experience.
Vacancy Timeframe:
Deadline for applications: 09 May 2024
Candidates must submit a succinct cover letter of no more than 2 pages explaining how they satisfy the requirements of the role, and a CV highlighting relevant experience. Successful candidate will also be asked to provide three professional referees, one of whom must be from their most recent employer.
The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of their position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.
This position will be located in the United Kingdom and therefore a successful applicant must both be present in the UK for the duration of the assignment and be able to demonstrate their Right to Work in the UK in order to commence employment.
Salary: £43,665 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Come join our team working to help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Ranked 2023 Q4 by Best Companies as the 8th best charity to work for in the UK, Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading charities in the fight against modern slavery. Our innovative model is based on three principles: Prevent, Protect and Pursue. We are one of the UK’s largest providers of survivor services, with ten safehouses and six outreach hubs, staffed round the clock by specialist staff, working with more than 600 men, women and dependent children each year. We work to raise awareness in the UK and to provide preventive work in source countries. Our Pursue work helps survivors to engage with police and within the legal system to seek justice and to secure convictions against their perpetrators.
As an Area Manager you will give leadership, direction and guidance to the staff of Medaille Trust to ensure the provision and development of a high quality service in line with the Trust’s Mission, Values and Strategy.
You will have a good understanding of the CQC framework relating to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. You will carry out quarterly assurance audits in all safe houses ensuring any appropriate action is taken where necessary.
You will line manage, induct, mentor, coach and support Service Managers. Additionally, you will ensure that any complaints, grievances and disciplinaries are investigated and responded to in an effective and timely manner in line with Medaille Policies.
Although the post is home based, the post holder will be expected to travel frequently to our safe houses within the South and London areas with some overnight stays.
You must have previous experience in a relevant sector or experience of working with adults that are vulnerable. Experience of managing staff, carrying out line management, supervision and appraisals is essential. Additionally, you must have experience of setting up Service User Engagement groups.
This is a challenging but important and rewarding job because our team members know they are working hard to help transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable people. In our December 2022 survey, 85% of our staff said they loved their job. We offer generous annual leave, as well as a day off for your birthday and an annual volunteering day. We also offer an Employee Assistance Programme, and a staff benefits package.
For full details and how to apply please visit our website and complete an application form.
Closing Date: Monday, 20 May at 10 A.M.
Interview Date : TBC
This position is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
The ability to drive with a valid licence with use of own vehicle insured for business purposes is essential.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.