Project Lead, Ethiopia

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Internews is seeking a Project Lead for a two-year Media Development project in Ethiopia. This project aims to protect and promote free expression while reducing online and physical attacks on media professionals in the country. The Project Lead will provide technical expertise to journalists, media associations, civil society organizations, and coalitions to advocate for free media and ensure the safety of journalists while overseeing the project’s implementation throughout the two years.

The Project Lead will be responsible for the direct oversight of the project, ensuring compliance with all regulations and standards, managing and overseeing subgrants, providing capacity building to local partners, and overseeing overall program implementation, including training session, mentorship initiatives, advocacy by local partners, and roundtables. The Project Lead will provide strategic guidance and leadership for the program, coordinate technical, legal, and professional capacity-building assistance to journalists and partners, and ensure proper oversight of Internews personnel, financial management, and administration. Additionally, the Project Lead will manage and provide technical assistance to subgrants under the project. The Project Lead will also be responsible for establishing strong partnerships and facilitating dialogue with funders, government entities, and other stakeholders.

LOGISTICS

This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

This is a limited-duration position, with an expected end date of October 2026.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Provide general oversight of the program, including strategic program management, budget management, fiscal integrity, quality and timing of deliverables, and coordination with partners.
• Design and lead technical activities, including baseline assessments and research that will inform implementation; lead on media viability activities; and collaborate with co-applicants to conduct digital security, hygiene, and threat mitigation trainings.
• Exploring new ways of engaging with journalists, media practitioners and stakeholders, national and regional civil society organizations to enhance and sustain efforts on the protection of freedom of expression (FoE) and media freedom.
• Manage and give technical assistance to the co-applicants and subgrants under this project, including ensuring quality content, and approving reports and payments.
• Managing and driving research activities (including surveys, focus group discussions, etc.) to learn and build the program.
• Overseeing and building preparedness and security measures for staff living and working on site.
• Managing the project administration, HR, contracts and finance.
• Communicate challenges facing the project and articulate the project’s successes in meeting those challenges.
• Responsible for the quality, cost, and timeliness of performance of all work performed under the funding contract.
• Work with the local, and Regional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialists to ensure the M&E components of the Project are fulfilled.
• Prepare Quarterly and Annual Project reports.
• In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of belonging.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

Required

• University Degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Project Manager in Media development, governance, or human rights; OR equivalent relevant professional experience as a journalist, editor, and media manager in Ethiopia.
• Experience in managing complex projects with partners; with a demonstrated ability for proactiveness in developing excellent collaborative working relationships with counterparts, local and international organizations, and donors.
• A successful track record in supervising, designing, managing, and implementing technical assistance for donor-funded media projects and a proven ability to develop and monitor work plans, and training plans
• Strong knowledge of media development and advocacy.
• Fluency in English and Amharic required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage national staff and an international team of consultants.
• Strong interpersonal skills, necessary to maintain good relations with relevant stakeholders.
• Strong writing skills.
• USAID or USG experience is preferred.