Partnerships Manager, MVA Forward

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Partnerships Manager, Media Viability Accelerator (MVA) Forward will support in the oversight and management of project activities involving Internews implementing partners, their local media outlet partners, and other organizations and entities contributing towards MVA work. The PM will be responsible for liaising with leadership from partner organizations and the management and coordination of their contributions to the overall project. The PM will provide technical guidance on the design and implementation of subgrants for implementing partners, will contribute significantly to the production of narrative reports; and will supervise the Communications Officer and Subgrants Officer.  The MVA currently partners with Free Press Unlimited, Global Forum for Media Development, IREX, SembraMedia and Thomson Reuters Foundation, and is seeking to forge new partnerships with organizations in similar fields.

This position will be responsible for partner engagement and coordination, managing complex relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders and continuously expanding the MVA to incorporate new partners and users into its operations. The Partnerships Manager will also commit a substantial portion of their time to managing the MERL efforts of the project itself, as well as its subgrantee partners.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Internews is implementing a 3-year program from USAID which will be known as MVA Forward. It will be a highly visible initiative (announced at the 2021 and 2023 Summits for Democracy) and could have substantial impact on the media sector worldwide. Through the MVA Forward project, Internews will establish the Media Viability Accelerator (MVA), a new web-based platform that will help media outlets compete for audiences and revenues by accessing and tracking business, market, and audience data in their own markets, as well as by providing opportunities to learn from their peers – both locally and globally. The platform will also support media outlets to find help by creating an online “marketplace” to engage with media experts, data integration experts, and/or media sector stakeholders. Additionally, MVA Forward will provide opportunities to incorporate new strategies into independent media operations by providing flexible funding and technical support.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

Management:

• Contribute to defining the scope, objectives and activities of the MVA.
• Contribute to key program deliverables such as the annual workplan and quarterly report.
• Collaborate with the MVA’s product team, ensuring effective partner and stakeholder involvement and feedback on the activities and platform of the MVA.
• Facilitate Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning activities on the part of the partners.
• In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of Belonging, Dignity, and Justice.

Subgrants:

• Supervise the Subgrants Officer to ensure all subgrants are in-line with program priorities and are executed in a timely manner.
• Work with the Subgrants Officer to draft solicitations based on Chief of Party (COP) and Steering Committee guidance and coordinate subgrantee selection processes.
• Under the supervision of the COP, negotiate subgrant program descriptions and budgets with subrecipients.
• Ensure that subrecipients and other partners remain on track with their activities, especially through review of subgrantees’ quarterly financial and narrative reports and ongoing communication.

External Partnership and Engagement:

• Supervise the Communications Officer to ensure that communications efforts and products effectively promote partnership and user expansion.
• Work with the MVA team to define and execute a partnership strategy that will continuously expand sectoral adoption of the MVA and its user base.
• Develop and implement partnership management tools as needed.
• Promote the MVA to new users, partners and stakeholders including via project-led events.
• Represent the project and present in high-level fora and conferences.
• Maintain regular communication with partners (including partner organization leadership) and users via regular one-on-one contact, coordination bodies and meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Commitment to understanding the MVA’s purpose, subject matter, and core technologies to ensure meaningful contribution to the program’s overall objectives.
• Relevant University degree in business, journalism, international affairs, etc. or equivalent lived/professional experience required; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least seven years’ prior relevant experience, including five years’ project management experience working closely with subrecipients and partners.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office programs, including proficiency in Word and Excel.
• Experience working on donor-funded projects, and familiarity with the donor’s reporting mechanism, rules, and regulations related to grants and subgrants management.
• Knowledge of and experience working with international, regional and local media development and support organizations, and independent media.
• Proven interpersonal skills, including excellent team building and communication skills.
• Proven ability to align and coordinate the work of diverse partners working in multiple geographies.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in close collaboration with colleagues.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, ability to multi-task, and prioritize workload.
• Self-reliance, resourcefulness, flexibility, and problem-solving attitude.

Preferred

Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but who are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply.

• Experience working with USAID highly preferred.
• Experience in business management.
• Experience working with performance metrics.
• Experience in creating networks and/or marketplaces
• Additional language and translation skills in languages such as French, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian and Arabic.

Learn more and apply here.