Program Coordinator, Eastern Europe/Central Asia

The Committee to Protect Journalists are currently looking for a Program Coordinator. The Program Coordinator is responsible for CPJ’s work in the region and leads research, documentation, and advocacy on press freedom violations. CPJ is seeking an individual with extensive experience covering press freedom issues in Russia and Eastern Europe, and an excellent understanding of the main challenges across the wider region. The candidate must be based in the ECA region and will be hired via an Employer of Record.

The Program Coordinator role requires a strong background in media, press freedom policy, and advocacy in the ECA region, excellent research and analysis skills, and the ability to work independently and proactively. The role also involves responding to journalist assistance cases, including support for journalists experiencing trauma or post-traumatic situations.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and supervision to staff, including setting expectations, delegating work, monitoring performance, coaching, developing team members, addressing performance or conduct issues, and fostering an inclusive, accountable, high‑performing team culture.
• Manage regional contributors (researchers, correspondents, contractors), ensuring high‑quality, accurate, timely work aligned with CPJ’s regional strategy.
• Provide crisis‑management leadership during urgent or high‑risk press freedom situations affecting the region.
• Monitor, document, and report on press freedom developments and attacks on journalists.
• Maintain oversight of case tracking and advocacy pipelines.
• Maintain accurate, timely updates to CPJ’s databases of imprisoned, missing, killed, or targeted journalists.
• Contribute to annual regional assessments, planning documents, and strategic reviews.
• Develop, devise, and execute regional and national advocacy strategies to advance press freedom, including advocacy for the release of jailed journalists and ending impunity in journalist murders.
• Serve as a CPJ spokesperson with media, governments, partner organizations, and civil society.
• Maintain, build, and strengthen relationships with policymakers, journalists, regional stakeholders, civil society actors, and partner organizations.
• Develop and manage journalist assistance and advocacy plans to ensure timely and appropriate support for journalists in distress.
• This position is located in Europe and is classified as fully remote. Availability to work and attend meetings on the US Eastern time zone as needed is required.

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• At least seven years of experience in media or advocacy work related to press freedom issues in the region.
• Deep understanding of press freedom issues and the geopolitical context of the region.
• Proven ability to analyze political, policy, and freedom‑of‑expression issues and relate them to press freedom.
• Proven skills in writing succinct, high‑quality reports, including the ability to digest, interpret, and accurately summarize reports and data.
• Fluency in English and Russian (speaking, reading, and writing), and working proficiency in other regional languages.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Impeccable organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Excellent time‑management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively with senior managers to guide the organization.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally across the region
• Proficiency with Google Workspace tools.

How to apply

Apply for this position via the CPJ form, provided with the job listing. Apply here.

For more information, please visit this page.