BACKGROUND

Farm Radio International is a Canadian non-profit organization serving African rural communities through the innovative use of mass media, focusing on radio and mobile phones. Together with broadcasting and project partners, we reach tens of millions of small-scale farmers and people in rural areas across the continent with life-changing information and facilitate strengthening and amplifying their voices in their own development. FRI is committed to gender equality and inclusion (GEI) as we are well-placed to facilitate ongoing dialogue to contribute to the transformation of inequitable gender norms and relations of power and the advancement of human rights, especially those of women.

In April 2022, Farm Radio began implementation of a 5-year, multi-country project about gender inclusive nature-based climate solutions (NBS) with financing from Global Affairs Canada. The project will use Farm Radio’s interactive local radio programming to achieve enhanced rural community action on climate change adaptation and biodiversity using locally-relevant, gender-inclusive nature-based solutions. This project will help to create a common understanding of climate change, in particular how nature-based solutions can be used to address climate adaptation needs. It will offer a means for local communities (particularly women and youth) to identify and express their adaptation needs, expand access to NbCS information across Sub-Saharan Africa; support rural communities in learning about, customizing and applying NbCS for climate adaptation; and raise Canadian awareness of, and engagement with these solutions. There are six focus countries – Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia. Farm Radio has offices in each and a strategic partnership in Zambia.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Radio Craft Specialist is an integral part of this project and will be responsible for:

1. Radio Craft innovations and activities related to the NBS project (80%)
2. Support to other specialty teams (20%)

1. Radio Craft innovations and activities related to the NBS project (80%)

• In liaison with the NBS Project Team, Radio Craft Officers and other staff members, you will coordinate and support the collaborative, multi-partner design and implementation of the project’s Radio Craft elements in order to meet the requirements of the overall project implementation plan and expected outcomes. These activities include:
  • Support the recruitment and engagement of partner radio stations
  • Coordinating and supporting the development of radio program content designs or agendas processes (review plans and Content Design Documents)
  • Building the capacity of radio production teams through training and coaching (review plans and training reports)
  • Overseeing the monitoring and quality assurance of all radio programs produced and aired through this initiative.
  • Support the use of and fidelity of FRI’s Radio Craft standards for methods, policies and approaches, including integration of GEI components. This will include updating and enhancing standards and methods based on the lessons learned through the innovative application of FRI’s approaches.
• Oversee the execution of Radio Craft project tasks and regularly update work plans
• Coordinate with the country teams and the volunteers on the development of a clear work plan for volunteers
• Work with Radio Craft Officers and volunteers on the development of on air documentaries as well as FRI’s Participatory Radio Campaigns
• Work with the Managing Specialist, Radio Craft and volunteers on the development of training material for documentaries

2. Support of other specialty team activities (20%)

• Support the Networking team in the planning and delivery of FRI’s Scripts Plus Radio Series approach
• Support the Digital Innovations team in the planning and delivery of the On Air Dialogues radio approach
• Support the Public Engagement team with the planning and delivery of podcasts for Canadian audiences
• Support the Gender Equality and Inclusion team in the implementation of the strategies set by the project

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Fluency in English andFrench is required
• Degree or a minimum of 6+ years experience in journalism or radio broadcasting
• Experience in the creation of documentaries and/or podcasts
• Strong experience in training and facilitation

Desirable

• Experience working in multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa
• Understanding of and/or experience with social and behavior change communication (SBCC)
• Commitment to and understanding of gender equality and inclusion as well as intersectionality and human rights-based approaches, including their application to development projects in African contexts
• Relevant experience in project management an asset
• Excellent communication and writing skills, including working effectively across cultures
• Experience with online collaboration tools and methods
• Experience in managing overseas volunteers an asset
• Ability to prioritize in order to complete tasks under pressure with attention to detail