Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) Employment and Volunteering Opportunities – December 2024

Background:

The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) is an independent, voluntary, and self-regulatory body with the objective of promoting freedom of the media and ensuring the highest professional standards and media accountability in the United Republic of Tanzania.

Skill development programs

MCT implements its four-year Programme Strategy (2023 – 2027) that aims at expanding the perimeters of freedom of expression and of the media, as well as promoting professionalism and accountability in order to ensure that the Tanzanian media contributes effectively to the country’s development and democratic processes.

As part of the implementation of its Strategy, MCT would like to recruit competent Tanzanians to fill several vacancies. The available positions include Programme Manager, Senior Finance Volunteer, and M&E Volunteer.

Programme Manager – Job Description

Overall Responsibility:
This is a Senior Managerial position. Reporting to the Executive Secretary, the Programme Manager shall oversee Programme implementation, leading the team in implementing MCT activities such as advocacy, mediation and arbitration, media monitoring, and press freedom violation register, as well as projects for specific outputs.

Job type: Full-time

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and ensure the implementation of programme activities of the Council as per Programme Strategy and approved Annual work plans.
• Provide support to the Executive Secretary (ES) in handling complaints brought against media outlets at Secretariat level.
• Assist the Executive Secretary in identifying, developing, and maintaining useful networks.
• Assist the Executive Secretary in fundraising for Council activities and sustainability.
• Take lead in research and development activities.
• Take lead in Council advocacy activities.
• Develop and implement a communication strategy.
• Ensure Code of Ethics for media professionals is up to date.
• Identify problems and any irregularities in the process of implementing programme activities and advise the ES accordingly.
• Participate in and give quality input to Management Team and Tender Board deliberations.
• Liaise with MCT Zanzibar office to ensure effective and timely implementation of Programme activities on the Isles.
• Supervise and mentor programme officers, other staff, volunteers, and interns as required.
• Prepare departmental plans and budgets and participate in Council planning, review, and budget process.
• Ensure the work of contracted programme consultants, contributors, and editors is of high quality and standards.
• Prepare analyses on policies and media laws.
• Provide technical backstopping to Government officials, MPs, MHRs, and relevant House Standing Committees on matters related to MCT agenda.
• Liaise with stakeholders in the media sector and with all those involved in the media sector for relevant interventions.
• Oversee the usage of NACTE validated standardized journalism curricula and benchmarks for certificate, advanced certificate, and diploma levels (NTA levels 4 – 6).
• Oversee preparation and production of annual State of the Media Report.
• Write activity reports and keep records of the same.

Key Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with 8 years of experience in journalism, mass communication, laws, or relevant social sciences. A relevant Masters degree would be an added advantage.

Competencies:

• In-depth understanding of media self-regulation, press freedom, and freedom of expression issues.
• Broad knowledge of the Tanzania media sector dynamics.
• Strong managerial and administrative skills.
• Proven experience and competence in advocacy work.
• Ability to lead in a participatory, roll-up-your sleeves manner.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Solid communication skills, both written and oral, in English and Kiswahili, and ability to produce concise reports.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Results-oriented.
• Ability to proactively work independently with minimum supervision and as an effective team member.

Senior Finance Volunteer – Job Description

Reports to: Executive Secretary
Overall Responsibility:
Ensure that accounting and financial management of MCT’s operations are in strict compliance with MCT financial policies, regulations, procedures, donor agreements, IFRSs/IPSAs, and best practices. Provide quality and timely advice on matters of finance and financial management and provide timely and accurate financial and management reports.

Job type: Full-time

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide technical advice to the team on the preparation of the plans and budgets for optimal use of resources.
• Assist in developing project budgets and fundraising.
• Oversee preparations of financial reports and submit to the Executive Secretary.
• Review and prepare Financial Management Reports, including monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual financial reports.
• Ensure compliance of MCT with laws and regulations relating to tax as well as other statutory authorities.
• Periodically review operations of the accounting package and ensure all information is input accurately on a daily basis.
• Ensure financial documents are aligned to practice, market completeness, and compliance with applicable policies and laws.
• Ensure financial documents are kept and are in compliance with MCT’s financial policies.
• Communicate financial policies and procedures to all staff and ensure they are properly implemented and adhered to.
• Interpret the Programme Strategy and link it to the Strategic Budget as well as linking Annual Work Plans to Annual Budgets and provide strategic advice on implementation.
• Prepare quarterly reports on the implementation of resource mobilization work plans for consideration by management.
• Liaise with tax and other authorities whenever necessary.
• Review donor reports and ensure submission is done within the context of the Memorandum of Understanding and Bilateral Agreements.
• Review and approve bank reconciliation statements.
• Liaise with external auditors to ensure smooth audits on MCT Finances.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Executive Secretary.

Volunteer Qualifications:

• Education: ACPA(T) holder or its equivalent, Degree in Accounting or Finance from a recognized university. A Master’s degree in Business Administration is an added advantage.
• Experience: Minimum of four (4) years’ experience in senior accounting/finance level. Proven experience in managing donor funds.

Competencies:

• Strong English language skills, both written and spoken.
• Experience and ability to use various accounting software.
• Ability to support and direct the implementation of ideas, projects, and plans once adopted by the organization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while working as part of a team.
• Excellent financial analytical skills.
• Energetic, independent, self-motivated personality.

M&E Volunteer – Job Description

Reports to: Institutional Sustainability Specialist (ISS)
Overall Responsibility:
Oversee and execute Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) activities included in the Annual Work Plans, with particular focus on results, impacts, best practices, lessons learned, emerging issues, and setbacks in implementation. Monitor the follow-up of evaluation recommendations to develop MEL capacity.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Design Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
• Develop key performance indicators and means of verification.
• Track program’s progress, outputs, and activities.
• Collect, organize, and analyze data in line with the MEL framework.
• Evaluate outcomes and ensure the program is achieving its goals.
• Identify areas for improvement by making recommendations for modifications or additional resources.
• Document progress by recording progress towards goals.
• Write MEL activities reports on a monthly basis.
• Draft quarterly, semi-annual, and annual progress implementation reports informed by MEL.
• Any other MEL duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Volunteer Qualifications:

• Education: University Degree, preferably in Business Administration, Economics, or related field.
• Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in designing and implementing M&E in development projects.
• Experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis, and report production.
• Expertise in analyzing data using statistical software.
• Strong training and facilitation skills.

Competencies:

• Organizes and completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while considering special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources, and multiple reporting relationships.
• Plans, coordinates, and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines.
• Establishes, builds, and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to facilitate the provision of support.
• Excellent knowledge of monitoring and the application of methodology.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral), sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with donors and project staff.

Mode of Application:

To apply, submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) with email address, telephone number, copies of relevant certified certificates/testimonials, and names of three professional referees. Applicants are also required to submit an application letter explaining why they think they should be considered for the job to the address below:

Executive Secretary,
Media Council of Tanzania,
P.O.Box 10160, Dar es Salaam.

Please send your application via postal mail, email ([email protected]), or hand delivery to MCT offices located at House No. KUN/MTN/532, Bagamoyo Road, Tegeta Skanska area.

The closing date is January 13, 2025. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

MCT is an equal opportunity employer, therefore all people are encouraged to apply.