WAN-IFRA Project Director - Media Freedom

Call for applications: Project Director - “Break the Chain: Fostering Healthier Information and Media Ecosystems in India”

Engagement: 24 months

Input: 20% LOE

Background

From January 2026, WAN-IFRA (the World Association of News Publishers) and BBC Media Action will jointly deliver a new 24-month support programme to Indian media: “Break the Chain: Fostering Healthier Information and Media Ecosystems in India”.

The programme is a holistic intervention that combines demand-led capacity strengthening, creative and informative media content, and coalition building to foster healthier and inclusive information flows, strengthen digital media literacy among the public, and address the capacity gaps of journalists and other practitioners to foster a more resilient, pluralistic and inclusive media ecosystem in India.

Position description

WAN-IFRA is looking for an experienced Project Director to lead its management of this exciting 24-month project, someone who has knowledge of the current media landscape and specific challenges facing independent media, with the capacity to work collaboratively and with a strong eye for detail.

Candidates with prior experience leading EU/EC funded projects, and who can demonstrate a strong understanding of the requirements of managing external grants agreements, would be at a distinct advantage. As this project will be implemented in cooperation with BBC Media Action, specific experience working with this media support actor, and familiarity with their project management and MEL processes, is an asset.

The role principally is responsible for:

• Direct oversight of the programme including, but not exclusive to: adherence to and maintenance of the approved Results Assessment Framework; the project implementation plan; delivery and reporting timelines; annual budgets.
• The management and engagement of WAN-IFRA key experts to assist programme implementation teams
• Identifying and maximising synergies within WAN-IFRA’s wider media support portfolio, its global networks, and membership community
• Close coordination with BBC Media Action implementation teams
• Management and coordination of all project reporting requirements
• Liaison with financial and administrative teams

Additionally, successful candidates will be expected to:

• Manage and maintain all documentation related to the project
• Ensure alignment with wider WAN-IFRA Media Freedom division programmes
• Manage budgets, expenditure tracking, quarterly projections
• Overview and maintain Finance Log tool, ensuring all invoices, finance reports, advance payments, expense claims and proformas are appropriately stored
• Coordinate contracting, procurement and reporting processes to ensure that these are tracked properly in alignment with the donor’s required procedures and standards
• Coordinate quarterly narrative and financial reporting requirements and manage disbursement requests
• Host regular implementation team coordination meetings
• Manage the timely production of activity reports and progress tracking
• Risk management, mitigation and compliance, ensuring WAN-IFRA processes are aligned with project requirements and reporting mechanisms
• Liaise with implementation teams to ensure documentation of processes and compliance across all project management areas
• Liaise with implementation teams to ensure the project is delivered in accordance with the logical intervention framework, and all results - and any deviations from expected results - are clearly captured and communicated

To apply:

Please send a CV along with a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. Applications should contain the subject line ‘Project Director - Break the Chain’.

Only successful candidates will be contacted.

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