IREX Careers

Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND)

Call for Media Trainers and Consultants

The IREX MEND Program: The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) is implementing the USAID-funded Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND) program. The goal of MEND is to improve citizens’ demand for, and access to, balanced and reliable news and information, and to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen media freedom and democratic governance.

Summary: Under the MEND program, IREX will work with various groups of media stakeholders, from media outlets to freelance journalists and media associations, to strengthen their technical and operational capacity which will contribute to a more independent and responsible media landscape and allow content producers and media to better fulfil their role in society.

IREX is recruiting professional trainers and consultants who have proven expertise and a strong track record in offering needs-based, customized, and focused trainings. IREX envisions establishing a pool of trainers and consultants with different skillsets whose expertise will be drawn upon during the life cycle of the program – through April 2023.

MEND is implementing activities related to strengthening media outlets’ business plans and operations, digitalizing legacy media, ensuring safety for media professionals, promoting higher journalism standards, advocating for media reform and inclusion of marginalized topics in mainstream media, and training citizens on media literacy. Each stakeholder working with MEND will have individual technical assistance and training needs. The selected individuals will be expected to work closely with IREX to deliver these trainings and assistance programs on the topics listed below.

Duties and Responsibilities: Selected individuals will be asked to work closely with IREX and the respective media partners to deliver high quality, needs-based assistance and mentoring. Specifically, this may include:

• Producing an initial evaluation, quarterly reports, and a final evaluation
• Planning and coordination with partners on trainings
• Producing a comprehensive training session plan clearly indicating the methodologies, which will be approved by MEND staff.
• Preparing relevant learning materials in the local language(s). IREX staff can provide translation assistance if needed.
• Delivering high quality training(s) virtually, and if travel permits, within Sri Lanka. In addition, consultants will be expected to provide remote mentoring.
• Preparing pre-and post-evaluation questionnaires and providing a final report after the training(s).
• Other duties may be added per the needs of IREX or partners. 

Qualifications: Individuals will have extensive experience and a variety of skills to uplift the capacity of partners. Specifically, trainers should have:

• At least three years’ experience delivering trainings and demonstrated knowledge in one or more of the topics mentioned above.
• Speaking, reading and writing proficiency in English; proficiency in Sinhala or Tamil is also welcome.
• Strong interpersonal skills, work ethic, and ability to work in a multicultural environment,
• Willingness to both work remotely and/or travel, depending on the program needs.
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and creatively to meet objectives and mitigate challenges.

IREX may at its discretion ask for additional information or an interview. Issuing this call does not commit IREX to select any candidate. IREX reserves the right, based on availability of funding and consultant performance, to increase the duration and/or enter into subsequent contractual agreements with the selected experts without re-publicizing the opportunity.

Compensation: This is considered a consultancy position and selected individuals will be paid a daily rate determined to be reasonable by IREX.

How to apply: Interested individuals are asked to submit a letter of application clearly stating which thematic area(s) for which they can provide training, a CV with summaries of prior training experience and previous work in a similar field, and their proposed daily rate (USD/LKR).

Deadlines: Applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis until December 30, 2022 and IREX may extend this deadline based on program needs. Applications should be sent to [email protected] and to [email protected]. IREX has the right to withdraw this announcement at any time.