Young Media Maker Fellowship (m/f/d) DRI Lebanon

Background

1. About DRI

Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. It has been established in Lebanon since 2016. DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions worldwide. Democratic discourse is the basis of our mission and vision. In our work, we facilitate discussion and exchange about democratic government and the need for a continuous discourse adhering to democratic rules. In the framework of its project entitled “Expanding civic space for political change in Lebanon”, DRI is working to expand the democratic space for a civil society-led debate on systemic change in Lebanon. The project is premised on the theory of change that, if citizens and marginalised voices are given a platform to engage in the democratic space, and have increased awareness of the political debate, then the vision of Lebanon’s future political model will be more inclusive, because new thought leaders can engage and discuss new proposals for citizen and people-centred political change. In the long-term, citizens are encouraged actively participate in the governing of their own country in an inclusive and participatory manner.

2. Project Overview

Ahead of the 2022 elections, we aim to launch the second season of “Nafas Jdeed”, an online political talk-show that introduces new faces to the media landscape and amplifies civil society voices, with the support of young media makers based in Lebanon. The talk-show discusses political change in Lebanon and the way it can be achieved through the coordinated effort of local stakeholders. In parallel, we aim to empower young media makers by expanding their skills in tackling policy problems and inviting them to collaborate in the talk-show.

3. The Talk-Show

Nafas Jdeed is an online political talk-show structured around thematic queries that cut across the various project outputs and activities. Tentative thematic queries include the following:

1. How to re-shape the Lebanese political system based on a new social contract, secular citizenship, through the voices of youth?
2. How to change the electoral system for a fair representation of Lebanese society?
3. How can the electoral system ensure the empowerment of youth, women, and marginalised groups?
4. How can a value-centric political model rebuild a dignified Lebanon? The scope may include the identification of values (e.g., meritocracy, inclusion, sustainability, stewardship, accountability, social justice, transparency) and the alignment of target audience on rethinking the political culture of Lebanon.
5. How to establish the Rule of Law, Accountability, Ethical and Responsible good governance practices?
6. How to boost the role of civil society, particularly youth and women, in effecting political change?

Each episode hosts 1–2 guests (50% of the total guests are Females) who will engage in a talk with the presenter and 2 Young Media Makers (preferably one male and one Female) about the above-mentioned thematic areas.

4. The Fellowship: What We Offer

DRI is looking for 12–15 young media makers who are Lebanon-based to be part of a fellowship programme aiming to support and promote citizen-centred engagement on democratic discourse and political reform in Lebanon. If you are selected for the fellowship programme, you will:

• Training opportunity. You will participate in a capacity-building programme on investigative journalism, digital storytelling, policy monitoring, election reporting etc. (at least 7 training sessions) between February and July 2022. The training curriculum specifically will be tailored to the needs of the young media makers based on an initial needs assessment.
• Professional experience. Between February and December 2022, you will be part of the 11-months talk show filming programme at DRI Lebanon that provides you with an opportunity to be in front of the camera and have fruitful debates with the talk show guests and the presenter. Fellows will:

o Assist DRI and the talk show presenter in preparing the episodes’ content.

o Cooperate with the production company to do vox pops or media reports for each episode.

o Reach out to the guest speakers to collect data and prepare required deliverable as per the fellowship programme;

o Share social media posts promoting the talk show and the fellowship programme.

o Commit to the training programme and ensure attendance on the episodes shooting when needed.

o Develop a final project that shall be part of an awards ceremony at the end of the year.

Fellows are eligible for a one-time compensation of 300 EUR for their successful completion of the programme.

5. Your Skills & Experience

Required:

• An undergraduate or currently completing a university degree in political studies, law, journalism, or relevant field;
• Up to 3 years of work and/or internship experience in political outlets, law firms, journalism sector, or similar;
• Ability to appear in front of the camera and to conduct interviews, vox pops, and media reports in public spaces;
• Interest in democratisation, human rights, political reform, and civic engagement, political topics;
• Good journalism writing skills;
• Sense of initiative and the eagerness to learn;
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills;
• Debate, public speaking and presentation skills are a must;
• Fluency in English and Arabic
• Availability to actively attend all fellowship activities and the talk show filming days throughout the project life cycle;

Desirable:

• Experience in online broadcasts, political talk shows and/or podcast creation.
• Knowledge in Video editing.
• Knowledge in using video production tools (camera, audio etc.).

Due to possible covid-19 travel restrictions, part of the fellowship may be conducted remotely.

6. Submission of Proposal: If you are interested in this assignment, please send your application to info.lebanon@democracy-reporting.org, with e.haddad@democracy-reporting.org cc’d, consisting of:

• Motivation letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Samples of your work (portfolio if available, publications, media products)
• A one-minute audio-visual “elevator pitch” showcasing your idea for a Nafas Jdeed episode promoting inclusive civic engagement and political change in Lebanon.

IMPORTANT: Please share the “elevator pitch” and any other media products via WeTransfer and include the links in the motivation letter.

Please include “Young Media Maker Fellowship – Lebanon” in the subject line and refer to the source you have found this opportunity. Incomplete applications will be disregarded.

The applicants will be evaluated 70% on their application documents and 30% on their experience (internships, project assignments, part-/full-time work).

DRI is committed to diversity and does not discriminate in employment based upon gender (including pregnancy), race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability, socio-economic status, or any other status protected by the laws in the locations where we operate.

Closing date for applications is 2nd of May 2022, 11:59 PM local time (Beirut). The fellowships may be filled before the end of the deadline so early applications are encouraged.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview and casting.

Organisation responsible for this vacancy:

Democracy Reporting International gGmbH

Elbestr. 28/29 12045 Berlin, Germany

Tel. +49 (30) 27 877 300

Fax +49 (30) 27 877 300-10

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