Rwanda Environmental Journalism Community Consultant – Management and Engineering Technologies International

Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), in support of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs, may require the services of a Rwanda Environmental Journalism Community Consultant to provide technical support in Rwanda to facilitate consultations and capacity building on environmental journalism initiatives.

Background Rwanda’s wealth of natural resources belies its size. The mountainous country features lush, verdant forests; productive agricultural lands; extensive wetlands and freshwater lakes; and exceptional ecological biodiversity. Promoting sustainable management of the country’s environment and natural resources is a core element of its economic growth and transition to a green economy; indeed, the Government of Rwanda and its development partners seek to strengthen forest management, improve water resource management, and strengthen land administration and management – aspirations made all the more critical by the threat of climate change.

While Rwanda has undergone rapid industrialization and economic diversification over the past few decades, it remains dependent on agriculture, natural resources, and tourism to drive its economy. The effects of climate change (e.g., erratic, unpredictable rainfall; heat waves; species habitat shifts; and more) pose a significant threat to livelihoods, the country’s economic foundation, and its ecosystem services.

USFS activities in Rwanda focus on cultivating climate change resilience through strengthened natural resource management. In cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Kigali and the U.S Agency for International Development in Rwanda (USAID/Rwanda), USFS builds long-term partnerships of technical cooperation with colleagues in civil society, academia, the private sector, communities, and local and national government. USFS has engaged with partners in Rwanda on wide range of program areas including watershed management, environmental education, fire management, and vegetation monitoring.

A recent area of engagement for USFS in Rwanda is environmental journalism. The consistent, reliable provision of accurate, comprehensive, and accessible information through public information resources is requisite to environmental literacy and effective natural resource management. With support from USAID/Rwanda, USFS seeks to contribute to the growth of Rwanda’s environmental journalism sector.

Position Description: The Environmental Journalism Community Consultant will be based in Rwanda and will work with the USFS/IP Program Manager for Rwanda and USFS/IP technical team to facilitate and consult on relevant initiatives across the country.

Duties: Core duties and responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• Initiate, plan, and participate in national conversations on environmental journalism
• Support the design, planning, facilitation, and execution of program activities
• Help identify strategic partnerships and professional networks to cultivate enhanced environmental journalism practices
• Manage stakeholder engagement for in-person and virtual activities
• Liaise with USFS technical and program team to ensure program deliverables are met in a timely and thorough manner
• Conduct interviews, assessments, and other outreach approaches as requested to understand preferences and practices for journalism
• Provide technical input on capacity building and training activities
• Develop monitoring protocol to observe improvements in impressions and/or practices in environmental journalism over time
• Support with the promotion and outreach for participants in in-person and virtual program activities
• Represent USFS/IP at stakeholder meetings, including with Rwandan and US government counterparts
• Research emerging environmental issues in Rwanda, and approaches for communicating those issues in mass media
• Complete reporting requirements as requested to describe overall program progress, challenges, and successes
• Support the development of an environmental communications strategy
• Cultivate, sustain, and strengthen relationships with priority partners, including USAID/Rwanda and the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda

Qualifications: The applicant must meet the following minimum professional qualifications to be considered for the position:

• Undergraduate degree in environment, communications, or a related field
• At least five years of professional experience working in media, communications, or related field in Rwanda
• Intimate knowledge of key environmental issues in Rwanda
• Familiarity with standard journalism and communications products and approaches
• Knowledge of core technical and policy issues pertinent to the development and implementation of environmental journalism programs
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Experience facilitating meetings and productively managing group discussions
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders from various social, political, and economic backgrounds
• Ability to work independently with minimal/long-distance supervision
• Ability to provide his/her own equipment for assignments
• Flexible attitude and work schedule (i.e., willing to work evenings and some weekends as needed)
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical coordination and leadership with a broad range of interested parties, across cultures, languages, and varying capacity levels
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office programs
• Must be locally based in Rwanda with reliable access to internet
• Experience working with international stakeholders
• English and Kinyarwanda language proficiency is required

Location: The position would be based in Rwanda with travel nationally as needed.

Period of Performance: Nine months with the possibility of extension

Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications

To Apply: Apply by November 30th, 2022. Apply at this link: https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/j/70307264 and reach out to asaracina@meticorp.com with any questions.

If the US Forest Service were to secure the services of an individual with these technical skills, the successful applicant would be hired through a contractor.

METI is an Equal Opportunity Employer: M/F/V/D www.meticorp.com

METI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.