ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Chief of Party (COP) oversees and manages BMAP Forward, a flagship USAID-funded regional media development project in the Western Balkans. The program offers a range of financial and technical assistance to multiple independent media partners throughout the region. The project aims to improve partners’ business practices to help them operate as viable enterprises, enhance their content production quality and adherence to journalistic standards, broaden the content’s reach and appeal to target audiences, and increase partners’ security from politically motivated lawsuits and cyberattacks. The COP will be responsible for maintaining strong partnership and dialogue with appropriate stakeholders (such as funders, international implementers active in the region, and government representatives). They will provide strategic guidance and leadership for BMAP Forward, coordinate technical and professional capacity-building assistance to partners and beneficiaries, and ensure proper oversight of the project’s personnel, financial management, and administration. The COP will closely coordinate and communicate with other Internews projects in the Western Balkans, Europe and Eurasia region, and globally to ensure synergy and complementarity and prevent duplications. The COP reports directly to the Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia. The position is expected to be based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, though other locations in the Western Balkans region may also be considered.

LOGISTICS

This position is based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Relocation support is available.

Candidates based elsewhere in the Balkans region who would prefer a remote-based position should feel free to express this preference during the interview process.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

This is a limited-duration position with an anticipated end date in February 2028.

Note: Hiring of this position is contingent upon donor approval.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Provide strategic, operational, and representational leadership for Internews regional programming in the Western Balkans.
• Oversee organization and implementation of all project activities, as well as project monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation and measure project impact, including monthly tracking of activities against work plans.
• Supervise project staff based in various locations across the region, carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable local laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Ensure the project is in compliance with all USAID rules, requirements and regulations as well as with Internews’ internal policies and procedures.
• Serve as the primary budget authority over the project, responsible for ensuring all costs charged to the project are allowable, reasonable, and correctly allocated.
• Accept fiduciary responsibility for all funds advanced for the purpose of the project.
• Serve as the public face of the project; cultivate and strengthen relationships with and act as the project’s primary point of contact for in-country donor missions and stakeholders.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with local and regional partner organizations and ensure that implementation is responsive to the needs of partners and beneficiaries.
• Initiate and maintain engagement with other funders and implementers in the region to foster coordination and collaboration, thereby optimizing the use of resources to further the project’s objectives.
• Maintain close collaboration with the COP of Internews’ Media Engagement Activity (MEA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure seamless coordination of all project activities with other Internews work in BiH.
• As part of the above, ensure that program and staff management processes are optimized for regular communication and collaboration between BMAP Forward and MEA teams to ensure synergies, cost-effectiveness, and amplication of impact.
• In collaboration with Internews staff and according to award stipulations, write and edit project reports, communications materials, and other project documentation.
• In close collaboration with USAID and Internews HQ, facilitate donor and stakeholder coordination for the Western Balkans region.
• Maintain strategic awareness of independent media issues in the Western Balkans (especially online digital media), and a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing independent media in engaging new audiences, maintaining editorial independence and press freedoms, and ensuring sustainability.
• Maintain regular communications with Internews headquarters staff to communicate progress on programming and address upcoming issues in advance.
• Facilitate fundraising and development activities to advance and enrich programming in the region. Provide support as necessary for developing new relationships and business initiatives.
• In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of belonging.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• 10+ years of proven media development experience, including working with media organizations and providing high level program management and oversight.
• University degree in a social science, international development, media or a related field OR equivalent lived/professional experience.
• Previous senior management experience, with demonstrated experience in collaboration with counterparts, international organizations and donors.
• Experience with USAID- and/or US government-funded programs strongly preferred.
• Experience developing innovative media development program concepts.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Successful track record in supervising, designing, managing and implementing technical assistance for donor-funded media projects, preferably capacity-building programs for journalists and media outlets.
• Demonstrable understanding of digital media and media business practices, as well as current challenges facing independent media globally and in the region.
• Track record in providing leadership to remote and hybrid teams in fluid and challenging political contexts: requires an experienced change manager with the ability to organize, support and mentor a diverse distributed team.
• Strong diplomatic skills, with the ability to foster and maintain effective regional partnerships across a diverse group of stakeholders, including funders, INGOs, key local partners, and implementers, to advance the project’s mission.
• Strong interpersonal, social and communication skills, high level of emotional intelligence, ability to effectively convey messages in a clear, concise, and positive manner.
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and monitor work plans, training plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, and procurement plans.
• Positive mindset, strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, ability to lead by example and foster a positive work environment, even in challenging circumstances.

Preferred

Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but who are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply.

• Development experience in the Western Balkans, Europe and Eurasia region, and/or post-conflict countries preferred.
• Working proficiency in regional languages is a significant plus but not a requirement.