Legal Manager, Legal Service for Independent Media

Thomson Reuters Foundation is looking for a Legal Manager, Legal Service for Independent Media to join their TrustLaw team.

As Legal Manager, Legal Service for Independent Media, you will provide dedicated project leadership to continue to pilot the operationalization and implementation of a legal offering to support journalists and independent newsrooms, whose safety and independence are under threat.

You will report to TrustLaw’s Head of Special Projects, while working closely with the TrustLaw and the Media Freedom teams. You will manage one Legal Officer, Media Freedom.

Responsibilities

As their Legal Manager, Legal Service for Independent Media, you will:

• Map evolving trends and legal threats for journalists, media freedom NGOs and independent media outlets and identify the most pressing legal gaps and needs
• Build excellent relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, including expanding our network of expert NGOs and legal teams working in the media, journalism and media freedom space
• Refine the operating model for the media-legal offering based on feedback received, including intake process, eligibility requirements, project flow, and impact monitoring mechanisms
• Work closely with their Media Freedom and Programmes team to ensure alignment and integration of the media-legal offering within the Foundation’s existing media freedom work, and to identify other innovative programming, products and approaches that best leverage the Foundation’s assets
• Scope, and support the management of pro bono or low bono legal requests and cross-border research projects that address critical needs of journalists, media freedom NGOs and independent media outlets
• Scope and oversee the development of tools, resources, trainings and other content on key legal issues of relevance to journalists and independent media outlets to address threats to their safety and independence and build resilience
• Deliver and/or coordinate delivery of trainings, legal health checks and events for media freedom NGOs, journalists and/or media houses, often in partnership with the programming teams
• Support the development and implementation of a communications, engagement and outreach plan, as needed, in collaboration with the Foundation’s Communications, Social and Media Freedom teams
• Support bid development and partnership-building to ensure financial sustainability of the offering
• Carry out a variety of administrative, reporting, planning, monitoring, and logistical responsibilities linked to the project

Qualifications

• An LLB, with preference for a qualified lawyer or an advanced law degree
• At least five years’ experience working in the legal field, with prior experience in media law or related human rights matters, either in a law firm, media house or non-profit organisation
• Strong understanding of international standards on press freedom and/or the media law/policy landscape.
• Understanding of the legal needs of journalists and media outlets in the global south or Central/Eastern Europe/FSU an advantage
• Excellent project management and organisational skills including the ability to manage effectively multiple matters and projects in a fast-paced environment, with a high degree of creative and flexible thinking, and the ability to incorporate lessons learnt through pilot delivery
• Prior experience working on donor-funded projects is a plus
• Excellent research, drafting and analytical skills, with experience in training an advantage
• Excellent interpersonal skills – able to establish and maintain positive working relationships both internally and externally, with people from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds
• Resilience, ability to cope with high pressure and work environments and find solutions to problems when they arise – able to quickly understand complex information and communicate to non-experts

How to apply

The deadline for applications is July 26, 2024. To learn more and apply, please click here.