Posted On: August 9, 2016
Media-Related Job
Media Organization: WITNESS
Company Description
WITNESS envisions a world where anyone can be an active witness for human rights change. We believe in the transformative power of people enabled by technology. We train and support millions of activists and citizens around the world to use the power of video in the fight for human rights.
The WITNESS Media Lab is dedicated to unleashing the potential of eyewitness video as a powerful tool to report, monitor, and advocate for human rights. We believe that the next stage of human rights documentation and advocacy will be powered by video created and shared by eyewitnesses. Our work addresses the challenges of finding, verifying, and contextualizing those videos.
In collaboration with peers from the fields of advocacy, technology, and journalism, we develop solutions to ensure that footage taken by average citizens can serve as an effective tool for justice. The WITNESS Media Lab is a project in association with the Google News Lab.
The WITNESS Media Lab Program Manager position is funded by a Google News Lab grant through May 31, 2017 and includes full employee benefits. Continuation of the role will be contingent on acquiring additional funding.
WITNESS provides a collaborative, flexible working environment that prides itself on being idea-rich, open, and mission-driven.
Job Description
PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:
The Program Manager is responsible for leading WITNESS’ efforts around identification, verification, contextualization, and presentation (“curation”) of eyewitness video for human rights documentation and advocacy. They manage a range of activities that collectively develop WITNESS’ position as an innovator, resource-creator, and thought leader. This includes leading curation projects, providing thought leadership, developing WITNESS’ institutional knowledge and understanding of eyewitness video curation, and directing the priorities, projects, and budget of the WITNESS Media Lab to support the above objectives.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The WITNESS Media Lab Program Manager will engage with internal and external peers to identify challenges and develop and promote solutions to address the curation and presentation of citizen video as a tool for human rights documentation and advocacy.
Video Curation and Analysis
Monitor and research eyewitness video to identify emerging trends, challenges, and innovations in the use of citizen video for human rights
Develop an editorial calendar around 3-5 projects over the remaining 9 month period in the current grant, representing a diversity of issues, regions, and strategies for the use of citizen video for human rights. Identify those projects and develop strategies to support affected communities through the development and amplification of citizen video curation, as well as ways to share learnings, strategies, and analysis with WITNESS’ networks in human rights advocacy, journalism, and technology
Collaborate with WITNESS colleagues to leverage networks, advance programmatic priorities, and develop editorial projects in coordination with WITNESS partners or trainees
Collaborate with internal and external peers to develop and support innovative ways to curate citizen videos for human rights advocacy and reporting
Together with the Engagement team, strategize and implement the presentation of editorial projects in the most effective ways to reach target audiences
Provide thought leadership on challenges and innovations in the curation of citizen video for human rights, through written publications, presentations, and engagement with peers in the fields of human rights and journalism
Work with internal and external peers to develop resources to advance the safe, ethical, and effective curation of citizen video for human rights documentation and advocacy
Identify and manage opportunities for the amplification of video curation projects through media and advocacy partnerships
Maintain relationships with key partners at Google News Lab to ensure coordination and engagement
Strategy and Vision
Determine (in consultation with colleagues) and maintain focus and editorial voice of the WITNESS Media Lab
Identify ways citizen video can inform advocacy, investigations, and tech development surrounding human rights uses, values, risks, and implications
Constantly assess the landscape of citizen video and its use in human rights research and reporting and, in consultation with colleagues, revise priorities accordingly
Community Engagement and Outreach
Cultivate relationships with human rights and news organizations to engage in discussions on the role of citizen video in human rights research, reporting, and advocacy
Identify opportunities to share insight, skills, and best practices of citizen video curation with others in the field of human rights and journalism
Ensure that new uses of video advocacy and emergent human rights issues documented through citizen video are shared with programmatic staff to create a feedback loop that informs WITNESS trainings and resource development
Contribute to internal policy discussions on issues relevant to citizen video
Represent WITNESS as a speaker, panelist, or participant to discuss video and human rights at relevant domestic or international convenings
Through blogs, articles, presentations, and materials development, share examples, stories, and tips to advocate for safe, ethical, and effective curation of human rights video
Collaborate with colleagues to engage with international justice and tech communities surrounding the potential evidentiary uses of citizen video, tools, and platforms to improve the safe and effective use of citizen video
Collaborate with WITNESS program leads on the development and dissemination of WITNESS resources relevant to citizen video and to video curation
Management
As relevant, support Media Lab fellowship program, and recruit, hire, and train a fellow
Select, train, and mentor interns to assist in online video monitoring and research
Work with colleagues to integrate the work of the Media Lab into broader programmatic goals
Fundraising
Contribute to fundraising efforts around the project as lead by External Relations team at WITNESS
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Relevant BA and 5 – 7 years minimum experience in fields below
Broad-based human rights understanding at a professional level and a breadth of understanding of international human rights issues
Journalistic background with experience making swift and confident editorial decisions
Strong awareness of the evolving social media landscape and experience leveraging and building communities across multiple platforms.
Ability to research and analyze complex human rights issues in a nuanced and efficient manner
Strong written communication and public speaking skills
Ability to watch and analyze a wide range of footage documenting human rights abuse
Independence, work ethic, and ability to manage short-term and long-term projects
Ability to manage interns and fellows
Adaptability to fast-moving and rapidly changing circumstances
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
MA/MPA/JD or other graduate qualification in relevant areas
Experience with multimedia storytelling and citizen journalism
Experience training and/or creating training material
Additional language skills
Principal Relationships:
Program Director (supervisor)
Digital Engagement, Regional Coordinators, Video as Evidence, Tech Advocacy, and Critical Response teams
Fellows, interns, and additional hired contractors
Google News Lab partners
START DATE: As soon as possible
LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY
TITLE: WITNESS Media Lab Program Manager
SALARY: WITNESS offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits that include employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, accident, and disability insurance, FSA, 401k, transit, and a generous vacation package.
To Apply
TO APPLY:To apply, send your cover letter with salary requirements, resume, and contact information for 3 references to jobs@witness.org with the subject line “WITNESS Media Lab Manager”.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled; early applications are encouraged. Please note that due to the volume anticipated, we will not be able to respond individually to each applicant. We kindly ask that you do not send duplicate applications via mail or email, and no phone calls. Thank you.
WITNESS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE CAREFULLY CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR ALL POSITIONS WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL OR VETERAN STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.