Programme Assistant – Rory Peck Trust

Rory Peck Trust is looking for Programme Assistant to join their multi-national team. If you are interested in human rights and media freedom, this is a rare chance to develop your career in this area. Your work will have a direct impact on the lives of freelance journalists working all over the world.

The Programme Assistant sits within the Assistance team of the Rory Peck Trust. The priority of the role is to research and verify applications for assistance and distribute financial grants to journalists in line with the Trust’s criteria, and to maintain the Trust’s relationship with partners. You will work in close collaboration with the Assistance Manager and with other case officers across the Journalist in Distress network.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Case Management

• Research and verify cases in line with RPT protocol. Liaise with grant applicants, their families,
  referees or partner organisations in the preparation and verification of case reports.
• Assess the size of the grant in relation to need and locality, and identify the most efficient ways
  of distributing grants in relation to bank and transfer agreements.
• Ensure all required documentation is received and that case information is kept up-to-date with
  meticulous record keeping.

Research and Outreach

• Maintain and nurture relationships with the Trust’s existing network and partners, including
  civil society actors, media organisations, academia, and media freedom organisations.
• Where relevant, represent the Trust at meetings, forums, roundtables, and conferences internationally and within the United Kingdom. There is an expectation that the chosen candidate will be available to travel abroad on behalf of the Trust
• Monitor political situations and alerts concerning journalists and advise colleagues on
  freelance-specific emerging regional and country-specific priorities, patterns, and challenges.

Qualifications:

This position requires someone with commitment, curiosity and energy. They should be a reliable team player, capable of working on their own initiative within a small team, and with the ability to take on responsibility – someone who is an open communicator and passionate about independent journalism and freedom of the media.

Essential:

• Education to graduate level.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken; proficiency in other languages an advantage.
• Proven research experience: ability to analyse and interpret complex information.
• Ability to communicate in a clear way with people at different levels and in different locations.
• Proven attention to detail and record keeping.

Desirable:

• Experience working in the NGO or non-profit sector, or familiarity with journalism and media.
• Firm understanding of and respect for requirements of confidentiality.
• Excellent written communication with a demonstrable track record of research and reporting.

The Trust operates as a distributed team with all staff working remotely – the experience of working independently and managing one’s own workload is essential.

How to Apply:

To apply, email your current CV and a short cover letter detailing your qualifications and why you want to work for the Rory Peck Trust (max. one A4 page) to Amel Al Ariqi, Assistance Manager, at amel@rorypecktrust.org by the closing deadline of 31st August at 11.59 pm (BST)