UPDATE: This position is closed

Founded in 1999, Mongabay is an award-winning environmental science and conservation news organization, which publishes original news on a daily basis in an objective (does not advocate), accurate (relies on facts and scientific information), and timely manner to a global audience of conservation scientists, private-sector decision-makers, government policymakers, civil society organizations, journalists in other media outlets, and interested members of the public. Mongabay’s readership across its news sites positions the organization as one of the top sources of environmental news, analysis, information, and inspiration on the Internet.

Mongabay is now expanding its coverage of environmental and conservation news in Africa by developing a multi-lingual news bureau responsible for producing journalism in both French and English. The new Africa bureau will create original reporting on issues relevant to the conservation of Africa’s wildlife and their habitats, development pressures and the activities of natural resource industries, and the impacts of climate change on both ecosystems and communities across the continent.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM MANAGER DO?

The Africa program manager is a high-impact leadership role that will directly contribute to Mongabay’s organizational strategy in Africa by overseeing a portfolio of reporting projects to accomplish goals on schedule and within budget.  The program manager will lead the editorial, production, journalism training, and marketing staff of Mongabay Africa to develop a French-language environmental news website in cooperation with Mongabay’s English-language team. The program manager will help Mongabay grow its capacity in Africa by recruiting and developing staff and contributors, overseeing outreach and promotion; and interacting with the Mongabay donors, board members, and staff across our global newsroom. The Program Manager will report to the Global Program Director.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

EDITORIAL TEAM MANAGEMENT (60% of time)

• Overseeing programs in Africa, ensuring key objectives are met, including content production goals;
• Conducting day-to-day personnel management of the Africa bureau, including doing regular touch-base calls with employees, facilitating; staff meetings to coordinate efforts and maintain cohesiveness, and responding to questions and requests from the team (and public);
• Motivating staff and evaluating employee performance and approval of personal leave and expenses;
• Recruiting and selecting journalists to work as staff and in freelance roles;
• Oversee and adapt Mongabay’s marketing and audience engagement strategies in Africa;
• Develop and manage ongoing editorial and co-publishing partnerships between Mongabay and other media outlets throughout Africa;
• Facilitate journalism training and capacity building activities;
• Write, edit, and post stories via Mongabay’s content management system (WordPress) as needed;

GRANT MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION (25% of time)

• Managing and tracking progress on project objectives and budget to comply with grant and audit requirements;
• Working with program and operations staff to ensure grant reports are filed on time, address grant objectives, and demonstrate the wider impacts of Mongabay’s reporting and the continued need for funding of these important topics;
• Carry out analysis of qualitative impacts and audience analytics data for use in donor and internal reports;
• Provide other support as needed to ensure content meets Mongabay’s high standards of professionalism, consistency, authenticity, and reliability.

STRATEGIC PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT (15% of time)

• Report regularly to Mongabay’s Global Program Director on progress toward meeting program objectives;
• Participating in formulating and administering company policies to develop and implement Mongabay’s strategic plan and objectives;
• Collaborate with Mongabay’s CEO, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, and Global Program Director to identify and secure new or renewed funding;
• Support the production of presentation materials and supporting documentation for Board of Directors meetings.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Five or more years of management experience including budget and staff oversight is required, ideally in a non-profit setting;
• Three or more years of experience working in journalism / editorial / writing in Africa is preferred;
• Exceptional fluency (writing and speaking) in French and English is required;
• Knowledge and familiarity with conservation and environmental issues in Africa is essential;
• Professional experience working in a journalism capacity is also preferred;
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, WordPress (or similar), Google Workspaces, social media (Twitter / Facebook) and project management software;
• Reliable access to high-speed Internet is required;
• Must be willing to commit to a full-time role and available during regular business hours.

PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES

This position will play a critical role in the scale-up of Mongabay’s environmental reporting efforts in Africa. Due to our organization’s culture and global work-at-home staff, the most successful staffs at Mongabay are adept at working independently and produce consistent high-quality journalistic work by taking initiative and thinking creatively about solutions to problems. In this context, this person:

• Is extremely self-directed, motivated, and reliable;
• Demonstrates leadership and project management skills;
• Understands ethical and editorial journalistic standards;
• Makes timely decisions and demonstrates good judgment;
• Solves problems using analytical and strategic thinking;
• Integrates cross-cultural dynamics into their thinking;
• Maintains a strong sense of professionalism and communication;
• Adjusts approaches according to feedback;
• Contributes to the Mongabay team by communicating and working cooperatively with staff, while following through on tasks and delivering results;
• Fosters positive relationships with journalists and co-partnership media outlets and;
• Demonstrates personal integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.

COMPENSATION & LOCATION

The work of our organization changes as we continuously seek to have greater impact. All of our team members must be flexible and able to adapt to short and long-term shifts in their job duties. As a globally distributed organization, there is no required location for this position. However, location is a consideration and Mongabay strongly prefers candidates who are living in Africa. The ability to coordinate with colleagues working in a diversity of time zones is essential. Mongabay aims to offer competitive pay rates that will attract, retain, and motivate our full-time staff. Please submit a pay range when applying.

TO APPLY

UPDATE: This position is closed

Apply online here. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until filled. On the application, you will be asked to fill out basic contact information, pay rate expectations, reference information (2), and to upload the following two documents:

1. Cover letter – please provide specific examples of your experience related to this position, as well as specific examples of your ability to work effectively from home and meet deadlines (1-2 pages)
2. Resume – (1-2 pages)
3. Two references

Applications must be submitted in English. Please note that you do not need to provide letters of recommendation and we will not reach out to references before getting your permission to do so.

Benefits, Holidays, and Paid Time Off

It is important for all staff to step away from work to renew themselves. That is why Mongabay provides generous paid time off (PTO) for professional development, holidays, sick time, rest and relaxation, and vacation including a flexible work schedule.

We observe 11 holidays and support staff who celebrate other personal and religious holidays.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mongabay is an equal employment opportunity (EEO)/affirmative action employer and provides EEO to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other status prohibited by law.

 

* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Management reserves the right to change or modify such duties as required. All staff is responsible for following applicable Mongabay policies and procedures as defined by their manager and Employment Handbook.