Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 01 Oct 2015
Internews Network is an international media development organization based in Arcata, CA and Washington, DC whose mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect, and the means to make their voices heard. Internews has been working in South Sudan since 2006 to establish community radio stations across the country, and to train South Sudanese journalists to operate them. We also implement other activities across the sector, including actively working to meet the critical information needs of the South Sudanese communities who have been impacted by the recent conflict.
The Radio Community is a South Sudanese NGO established in 2015, which manages a network of community/local radio stations with the support of Internews. Internews is working closely with The Radio Community to promote local ownership and organizational sustainability by empowering and building South Sudanese capacity in editorial, programming, technical and IT management, management/administration and sales/marketing. The long term aim of this project is to establish a network of stations that can be self-reliant. As well as managing the technical side of the project you will be expected to build capacity and pass on your skills to South Sudanese staff – train your successors.
Under the supervision of The Project Director, the Engineering Trainer & Solar Project Manager will work with The Radio Community team to:
- Work with South Sudanese staff to establish a network engineering department to provide broadcast and IT technical support to a network of 10 or more community/local radio stations; with responsibility to build a fully functioning South Sudanese team that will be able to independently support and sustain radio stations located in remote and inaccessible locations.
- Mentor, train and support The Radio Community lead engineer and train technical and support staff.
- Manage a project to transition radio stations from diesel to solar power - including managing expert solar consultant as needed, and overseeing feasibility study, procurement and set up. Presently each station is powered by a generator (there is no electricity grid in South Sudan).
Additionally The Radio Community is expanding its network of local/community stations and the Radio Broadcast Engineer will lead the technical side of this project.
Internews is also working with local partners to create a broadcast technical diploma course – to build engineering and technical capacity across South Sudan. There will be an opportunity to help design and potentially teach this curriculum
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- To support South Sudanese staff to maintain a range of broadcast and IT equipment and provide technical advice and expertise to operational and programme activities across a network of FM community/local radio stations;
- Travel to and work at stations in remote parts of South Sudan where there is poor infrastructure and basic living conditions;
- In charge of building a strong engineering/technical support department and team including all training, coaching and skills building; so that by the end of the project term South Sudanese staff are able to operate independently;
- Train station staff to carry out basic technical and IT maintenance and fault identification/trouble shooting;
- Organize and conduct formal training for current and newly recruited technical staff to become effective and dynamic team members;
- Mentor and train the South Sudanese senior engineer to carry out technical needs assessment, planning and procurement processes;
- Provide on-going on-the-job mentoring every day as staff perform their work;
- Evaluate team member performance on a monthly basis, to improve individual effectiveness and overall team output;
- Keep informed of technological developments and trends in the radio industry – especially in the context of working in Africa;
- Project manage the transition to an alternative energy system -technical assessment, design, procurement and installation;
- Mentor South Sudanese staff to project manage the technical fit out of four or more new radio stations - technical assessment, design, procurement and installation;
- Work with our training team to design the curriculum for a broadcast engineering diploma;
- Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Expert understanding of radio and the associated transmission and carrier systems
- Relevant engineering qualifications and at least 5 years practical experience – including organisational and management
- Understanding of personal computers, servers, IT systems and networks
- Knowledge, experience or ability to manage an alternative energy project– specifically solar.
- A keen interest in, and knowledge of, broadcast technology, sustainable power and its development and potential application in a developing country - knowledge and experience of working with photo voltaic power generation and storage systems.
- Ability to identify training needs and draw up training plans
- Experience in training and mentoring using hands-on participatory approaches
- Project management skills specifically procuring equipment for and fitting out radio stations
- Demonstrate a high level of professionalism and maintain an astute sensitivity to local culture and customary business practices.
- Strong interpersonal skills and motivational abilities; a dynamic leader with a capacity for multi-tasking and intelligent decision-making.
- High energy and willingness to work long hours and weekends as required.
- Work with minimal direction.
- Effective working in ambiguous and often stressful conditions
- Ability to travel within South Sudan. Willingness to spend time in the field, with limited facilities, often under harsh conditions.
How to apply:
Please visit: https://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc06/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=INTERNEWS&cws=1&rid=463