Job Summary

Supervision: Coalition for Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE)

Coordination: ECES (logistic, finance, methodology)

Duration: 5 months (initially)

Starting date: March 2021Organizational Context: European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Election (CECOE

The European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) is a non-profit private foundation headquartered in Brussels. ECES promotes sustainable democratic development through the provision of advisory services and operational support in favor of all electoral stakeholders, including electoral management bodies, civil society organizations dealing with civic & voter education and election observation, political parties and parliaments in relation with electoral reforms, media, security forces and legal institutions dealing with electoral dispute resolutions. 

The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Election (CECOE) headquartered in Addis Ababa is established as a distinct entity mandated with leading and coordinating all election related activities including coordination of CSOs in delivering civic and voter education and election observation. CECOE members are civil society organizations engaging in election process activities, democracy-building, good governance, rule of law, human rights and related fields. CECOE strives to enhance citizens’ active participation in the electoral processes, reduce election-related conflict incidences and promote a peaceful electoral environment.

Project Context: Prevention of Electoral Violence in Ethiopia (PEV-Ethiopia)

The Prevention of Electoral Violence in Ethiopia (PEV-Ethiopia) project is funded by the ICSP fund of the European Union. This action will seek to establish a coalition of like-minded Non-State Actors in order to form a stronger voice in political- and electoral process in Ethiopia. The Non-State Actors (NSAs) coalition established under the project will be capacitated and closely assisted in carrying out activities that cumulatively contribute to the prevention, mitigation and management of election related conflicts and potential violence in the run up to, and following of, the scheduled 2021 elections. In light of the reform process and opened space for NSAs, it is essential that NSAs receives substantial support to make a meaningful contribution allowing self-sufficiency beyond this action and following the 2021 electoral cycle

The project seeks to establish a Media Monitoring Unit for the NSAs (Non-State Actors) coalition, based in Addis Ababa, with outreach in the whole country through possible “regional media monitoring focal points”. This activity aims to equip Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with a specific media focus and media monitoring capacities following EU media monitoring methodology during election periods. In turn, enhanced monitoring capacities will touch on non-incitement reporting during and after the election campaign to enable media to play a key and positive role to help with conflict prevention besides building local monitoring capacities to be enhanced in Ethiopia. Selected applicants to the media monitoring team and representatives from identified CSO will receive relevant training on media monitoring methodology and techniques, including the role of media in mitigating election related violence and conflicts.

Functions/Expected Results 

Under the direct supervision of CECOE and with the technical support of ECES, the monitors will have the following responsibilities:

• Monitor, quantitatively and/or qualitatively, and analyze on a daily basis, the different national/regional media allocated (television, radio, print, online), according to the methodology developed during the internal media monitoring training
• Apply a similar pattern to the monitoring of assigned social media
• Draft related summaries and reports, in Amharic or English as decided by CECOE
• Ensure, within established deadlines, the entry of media monitoring data and information in the proposed software
• Promptly report to the Media Monitoring Unit Supervisor on any major information related to the media monitored, the news broadcast/published by the media monitored, and the electoral/political actors affected by this information
• Participate in methodology review sessions
• Respect the Code of good conduct attached to the analysis methodology, which requires impartiality and commitment
• Conduct translation of different communications material, in addition to monitoring, in the given language
• Perform any other duty necessary to the fulfilment of media monitoring objectives

Job Requirements

Skills

• Excellent written and oral expression skills, both in English and Amharic;
• Excellent reporting capacity, in English and Amharic, with sound analytical and synthesis skills
• Ability to work under the constraints of deadlines
• Ability to meet established tasks
• Capacity to work in a team, with international and national staff
• Open minded and willing to be adaptable and flexible in dealing with colleagues
• Ability to learn, update skills as needed, and share them with the media monitoring team
• Neutrality and rigor in the progress of tasks
• Good knowledge of the Ethiopian media and political landscape (to be checked during interview)
• Demonstrated computer skills (MS-Office: Windows, Word, Excel); experience in audio/video editing software and ability to use new media monitoring database systems would be appreciated
• Good knowledge of social media
• Experience in translation of materials and broadcasted programs from Afan Oromo, Afar, Somali, Tigrigna into Amharic and/or English

Languages: English, Amharic and at least one of the following languages, preferably as native speaker: Afan Oromo, Afar, Somali, Tigrigna. Other local languages are an asset.

Education and experience

• Education: University degree or advanced training in Journalism, Political Sciences, Communication Sciences, Social Sciences, or related disciplines.
• Experience: at least 3 years with media (monitoring, reporting, broadcasting) or relevant field. Proofs of experience is required (contracts, recommendations etc).
• Other requirements: Consistent knowledge of the Ethiopian media and political landscape; demonstrated computer skills (MS-Office: Windows, Word, Excel; specific monitoring/editing software); sound knowledge of the social media.

How to Apply

Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Applications emailed by 20^th of February COB to mmucecoe@gmail.com