TITLE: Senior Advisor, Media
UNIT: Programs
REPORTS TO: Program Director
SUPERVISES: Relevant staff and consultants

1. SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITY

The Senior Advisor, Media of The Asia Foundation (the Foundation) is responsible for formulating a comprehensive media work plan based on the Civil Society Media (CSM) program description and the annual co-creation process. They will lead the implementation of the media strategy and regularly update the strategy during implementation. This position will oversee media partners and provide substantial input into media-related Challenge Funds. They will be responsible for managing, coordinating, monitoring, and providing technical assistance for CSM’s activities related to misinformation/disinformation, journalism, and media. This person is responsible for ensuring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the media component. They will collaborate with donor agencies in program development, preparation of implementation plans, coordination, and support. They will support maintaining relations with government offices and programs.  They will also serve as Acting Program Director when the Program Director is unavailable. The senior Advisor will travel up to 30% of the time to Lumbini and Madhesh. 

2. RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• Regular contact with the Program Director, Country Representative, and Deputy Country Representative and other Program staff of the Foundation Nepal Office.

External

• Frequent contact with media houses, local media, journalists (individuals and associations/federations), civil society organizations working on media; senior and mid-level government officials of Federal, Provincial, and Local Government, Mayor/Deputy Mayors of local governments; and development partners.

3. REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Master’s degree, or advanced degree in journalism, media studies, mass communication, development studies, political science, economics, international development, or a relevant field.

Experience

Minimum ten years of working experience in management or technical position, with demonstrated experience managing politically informed media programming. In-depth knowledge of media’s interplay in Nepal's political, economic, and social context including governance, gender, inclusion, and civic space. A proven track record of successfully managing development programs, including finance and grants management and budget control. Experience managing remote field-based teams. Experience working outside Kathmandu and understanding of regional and local media landscape in Madhesh and Lumbini provinces are desirable.

Other

Demonstrated executive interpersonal skills, and excellent communication skills, including language proficiency (verbal and written) in both Nepali and English. The ability to speak other Nepali local languages is preferred. An experience championing inclusivity through media programming, the ability to independently interact at professional levels with people from a variety of cultural and professional backgrounds. The proven analytical, and research skills, with strong problem-solving abilities. They will have the ability to prioritize and critically analyze information. Display an open-minded and demonstrated learning approach to embrace new models for sound development programming.

4.  JOBS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program

• Provide high-level technical advice and analytical inputs on the overall design and implementation of the Civil Society and Media program. 
• Provide technical guidance and support to Senior Program Officers, Program Officers, and Province-based staff of the sub-national governance program to ensure the quality and accessibility of their interventions. 
• Support CSM to establish high-level strategic partnerships with media, civil society, academic and research institutions, business institutions, and development partners through intensive relationship building and frequent liaison with stakeholders.
• Contribute to Challenge Fund selection processes to create opportunities for media (WYM-focused) to access resources.  
• Lead on implementing a media strategy for CSM targeting non-traditional USAID partners, and organizations of any type led by or representing WYM.
• Seek out talented organizations, individuals or ideas for diversifying media representation and content.
• Identify and establish partnerships with local (Nepali) media resource partners for CSM with a focus in Lumbini and Madhesh provinces. 
• Provide technical inputs to implement targeted media activities for promoting Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GESI) in sub-national governance processes in Nepal. 
• Take the lead to contemporary research, study, and prepare briefing notes, presentations, and other relevant materials, as needed.
• Conduct facilitation and technical presentations on media issues of inclusion and diversity in different forums, as needed.
• Support the design and production of high-quality knowledge products through analytical inputs, advice, and critical reviews.
• Provide technical guidance and support to the program team and short- to long-term technical advisor in planning and organizing networking opportunities, learning, sharing, and round table events related to media. 
• Ensure the design and delivery of quality knowledge products and their dissemination to the appropriate audiences using accessible channels.
• Conduct frequent field visits to program locations and analyze trends in the program, identifying issues/challenges, and recommending solutions to Country Representative and program team. 
• Manage sub-awards and partnerships with media partners in Kathmandu. 

Financial Management

• Provide guidance to the program and  finance team  in  partner spending projections, compliance, and fiduciary risk mitigation following the Foundation’s policies and practices.
• Ensure Program budget and expenditures are on track and ensure the timely submission of financial reports to USAID.

Other

• Advise and assist in organizing strategic meetings, and dialogues with different stakeholders in connection to the implementation of the CSM’s Program.
• Assist in drafting concept notes, scopes of work, terms of reference, and other relevant documents for media activities, consultancies, etc. commissioned by the program.
• Provide inputs in the preparation of the progress reports, work plan, result framework/monitoring, and evaluation plans, and narrative reports.
• Monitor and keep track of media-related issues that may significantly affect programming. 
• Conduct field visits to the program sites to monitor program implementation and identify challenges and opportunities and recommend solutions.
• Meet regularly with the Program Director to brief emerging issues of the program implementation.
• Report to the Program Director while working closely with all team members within the Foundation’s Kathmandu Office.
• Supervise and mentor field-based media staff and other program staff in the Foundation as designated by the Program Director, Deputy Country Representative, and Country Representative.
• Perform other tasks as required consistent with these responsibilities and as assigned by the Country Representative or designate.