The Centro per la Cooperazione Internazionale/OBC Transeuropa is searching one Advocacy Officer on the issue of media freedom in the Europe

06/07/2022 - 

Reference number: VCN/2022-07-MFRR3 (please quote in all correspondence)

Operational unit: Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa

Length of contract and % of full-time: 12-months contract starting from late August - early September. Preferably full-time (40 hours/week) but part-time is an option we can consider. The contract can be further renewed depending on availabily of funds.

Salary indication: Salary according to experience

Director of the department: Luisa Chiodi, PhD

Director of project: Chiara Sighele

Title of project: Media Freedom Rapid Response Mechanism

Project information: Along with 5 partner organisations advocating for freedom of the media and safety of journalism in Europe (Article19 Europe, ECPMF, EFJ, FPU, IPI), OBCT is implementing the third edition of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism, which tracks, monitors and reacts to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. It is co-funded by the European Union. MFRR-3 started in May 2022 and will last till at least end October 2023. A new call for proposal from the EU is already out to fund a fourth edition covering for additional 24 months.

Job description: OBC Transeuropa is seeking an advocacy manager to join its media freedom team as soon as possible, ideally not later than late August / early September 2022.

The advocacy officer will be involved in the research activities and in all other OBCT activities performed within the MFRR project. The job entails:

  • Monitoring policy debates relating to threats to freedom of information among relevant governmental and intergovernmental actors in Europe, including a special focus on legal threats and surveillance, among others.
  • Producing and disseminating advocacy materials (position papers, statements, open letters) and delivering expertise for reports and studies, with a specific focus on Italy and EU member and candidate countries in South Eastern Europe as OBCT’s areas of expertise within the MFRR.
  • Coordinating the editorial plan of the Resource Centre on Media Freedom in Europe managed by OBCT (www.rcmediafreedom.eu).
  • Coordinating and implementing advocacy initiatives for media freedom and for journalists at risk across Europe within OBCT’s advocacy objectives, taking part in the work of existing initiatives OBCT is contributing to, such as CASE.
  • Building and maintaining networks of European organisations as well as political stakeholders and partners in the Freedom of Expression community, with a on focus stakeholders in Italy and South East Europe.
  • Co-operating with OBCT newsroom and research departments to ensure quality coverage of relevant issues in OBCT outlet (www.balcanicaucaso.org/Temi2/Media).
  • Supporting the work of colleagues who carry out monitoring, research and deliver practical assistance to journalists under threat.
  • Contributing to OBCT training offer on issues connected to its work within MFRR.

 

In this positiion you will be responsible for all advocacy activities at OBCT pertaining to media freedom and journalism protection in Europe, representing OBCT’s perspective within the consortium, and in the public and political debate.
You will help in developing further the research and advocacy agenda of OBCT on the issues addressed within the consortium.
You will actively participate in the organisation of the events, campaigns, missions and training linked with the MFRR implementation.
You will work in close collaboration with Italian and international partners, starting from but not limited to the consortium partners. 

Place of work: Preferably in Trento, Italy. Remote working agreements are possible.

Requirements: A university qualification (at least Master degree) and/or proven professional experience in a relevant field, such as media studies, journalism, political sciences, EU studies.
Knowledge and understanding of EU media policy issues, obtained through academic and/or professional experience.
Experience in research and report writing for academic and/or international projects.
Proven expertise in analytical and communication skills on project-related topics
Proficient use of office and media tools (including the main MS Office applications, social media and instant messaging applications, web publication systems.
Knowledge of current affairs of South Eastern European countries is an appreciated asset.
Availability to travel in Italy and abroad in necessary.
In this position, you will need to be a self-starter and a reliable team player. You will work in a multidisciplinary team composed by OBCT editors, researchers and project managers.

Languages: Excellent knowledge of English (C1 level). Knowledge of Italian and/or an South Eastern European language is an asset.

Contact details: For more information contact info@cci.tn.it

Deadline: The closing date for applications is: 21 July 2022

How to apply: Applicants must submit the following documentation by the deadline of Thurdsay, 21 July 2022, at midnight (date of receipt):

  • A motivation letter
  • A Curriculum Vitae (preferably according to the standard Europass model, mentioning the professional and educational qualifications possessed, and testifies the professional capacity and experience gained)
  • Additional documents (such as references of previous employers or examples of research/advocacy work done) will be well received too.

Applications shall be submitted by ordinary e-mail with a reading receipt to: info@cci.tn.it