BBC WORLD SERVICE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title Livelihoods Programme Manager,
Department/Business Unit BBC World Service Trust
Reports to: Country Director in Sierra Leone, and Project Manager in London
Contract: Based in Kenema, Sierra Leone with regular travel to
Freetown; local terms and conditions; 12 months fixed term
Date of Issue: August, 2011
Closing Date: September 16th 2011
Job Purpose
The Livelihoods Programme Manager will be responsible for managing and delivering all aspects of a BBC
World Service Trust project focussing on the cocoa farming sector and funded by the European Commission.
The purpose of the role is to ensure the project is delivered on time, within budget and to the required
standards.
Main Duties
1. Responsible for planning, budgeting, reporting and general management of the training, production
and broadcast components of the project. This includes working with BBC-WST staff in Sierra Leone
and London to define and develop programme direction, strategies and activities.
2. Responsible for managing a series of relationships with project partners (often national
broadcasters, NGOs or foreign government ministries) and international donors. The post-holder will
generally have substantial autonomy (under the guidance of the Country Director) to make decisions
regarding the project
3. The post holder will be responsible for the set-up of project activities, partnerships and
administration systems. Specifically, this will include:
Ragular participation in the Cocoa Working Group, maintaining strong relationships with our
implementing partners and with the wider cocoa community, in particular with cocoa
farmers in the region.
Coordinating the design of training according to the needs of our co-production partners;
developing Terms of Reference for all training assignments; sourcing, liaising, contracting
and supporting all international and regional trainers who deliver specific assignments for
the project.
Liaising with the BBCWST research and learning group to support the implementation of a
clear brief of the research required and to ensure findings inform project development;
In collaboration with the donor, research and project management staff in London and
Sierra Leone, over-seeing the design of appropriate broadcast content according to the
project brief.
Monitoring broadcast content according to agreed technical and artistic standards and all
relevant legal, contractual and copyright requirements; including the holding of regular
reviews of productions to ensure quality control.
Maintaining accurate and up to date project records.
Developing and maintaining project budgets for all activities on the project.
4. The Project Manager will be responsible for the line management of team based in Kenema
including the Project Officer and Production Mentor.
5. Liaise closely with other staff and programme strands of BBC-WST in Sierra Leone, especially with
the Research and Learning team.
6. Report regularly to the London office of the BBC World Service Trust, through the London Project
Manager, with regard to editorial, operational and financial issues.
7. Develop and manage effective relationships with funding agencies, stakeholders and other partners
in Sierra Leone.
Person Specification
Required skills, knowledge and experience
At least 3 years experience in international development, with demonstrable experience in project
planning and management systems.
Previous experience or knowledge of the cocoa sector highly desired.
Experience managing the project budget cycle – from conception, through budget building, to
implementation, monitoring, reviewing and reporting/accounting.
Experience in radio production would be beneficial. Applicants with extremely sound ideas, but little
production experience will be considered on evidence of creativity and potential.
Ability to make sound judgements on editorially sensitive programme issues.
Experienced in line management of other staff.
Evidence of strong interpersonal skills.
Strong commitment to, and understanding of, development issues in Sierra Leone.
Experience in writing project briefs, reports, Terms of Reference and other project documents.
Fluency in Krio and English.
Competencies
The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful
candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.
Analytical Thinking – Able to simplify complex problems, processes or projects into component parts,
explore and evaluate them systematically. Able to identify causal relationships, and construct frameworks,
for problem-solving and/or development.
Decision Making – Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the
consequences of the decision made.
Planning and Organisation – Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course
of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and
factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.
Resilience – Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, set
backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is
characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
Influencing and Persuading – Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can
draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
Communication – The ability to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and
techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
Managing relationships – Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
Self Development – Is able to identify and apply opportunities for learning and development.
To Apply:
Please read the job description carefully. Then you need to send an up-to-date CV and a supporting letter to
the same email address or in person to the BBCWST office at 41i Derek Drive, off Spur Road, Freetown. To be
short-listed, you will need to meet all of the required specifications in the job description. Please note that
only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Final closing date for applications is 16th September 2011.
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(A job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities
incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This.
not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.)