Empowering Local Media

Internews has been working in Sri Lanka since 2005, providing information services to vulnerable communities and delivering training to both young and mid-career journalists. Internews works closely with local organisations and the Government to harness the power of media and information to help people develop a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.

Vacancies

Internews in Sri Lanka is currently accepting applications from qualified applicants for the following open positions:

POSITION: Consultant – Humanitarian Reporting Manual Developer

Location: 3-4 weeks in Colombo, Sri Lanka and 2 weeks remotely

Background:

In Sri Lanka, Internews runs Lifeline, a humanitarian information service for Internally Displaced People (IDPs). Lifeline broadcasts daily radio shows on a national radio station and distributes a weekly newspaper directly, and free of charge, to IDP camps in the north.

General Function:

The Consultant will revise and finalize a Humanitarian Reporting Manual for journalists under Internews’ USAID/OFDA-funded Lifeline humanitarian information program.   The objective of the manual is to prepare journalists to cover natural and man-made disasters in an informed, balanced way, and to show how a practical approach to news reporting and dissemination can save lives in a humanitarian crisis. The manual will give professional reporting techniques and provide reporters with an understanding of humanitarian crises and the humanitarian aid sector. The publication is intended to function as both an educational guide that journalists can learn from directly and as an outline for an in-person training workshop in humanitarian reporting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Conduct 3-4 weeks of research in Sri Lanka on reporting environment in the North in consultation with local and international humanitarian organizations.
  • Draft and revise a complete Humanitarian Reporting Manual containing:
    • Standard professional reporting techniques
    • An overview of the humanitarian sector
    • Media’s role in a humanitarian crisis situation
    • Case studies on reporting in humanitarian disasters and emergencies
    • Explanation of humanitarian and human rights legal framework
    • Information for reporting on Sri Lanka-specific humanitarian issues
    • Safety for journalists working in humanitarian disasters and emergencies
    • Other sections as determined by project director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Strong journalism experience essential, with an emphasis on reporting in humanitarian emergencies
  • Experience designing and delivering professional capacity-building programs for journalists essential.
  • Understanding of humanitarian relief operations essential, with media/training experience in a country with humanitarian operations preferred.
  • Extensive experience working in developing countries, preferably in South Asia.
  • Strong communication skills and experience in report writing and curriculum development.
  • Experience working under tight deadline in a challenging environment and demonstrated initiative/problem solving skills essential.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates meeting the qualifications should send a cover letter and resume to jobs@internews.lk Please reference “Humanitarian Manual Consultant: your name” in the subject line.

Deadline for applications: May 17, 2010.

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