POST:New Media Volunteer

New Media Volunteer
Freedom House
Location: North Africa / Middle East Region
Last Date: January 31, 2010
Email: iev@freedomhouse.org

New Media Volunteer Sought for Short-term Assignment in the Middle East and North Africa

Freedom House is currently seeking an individual with demonstrated professional experience in New Media to work with a human rights or civil society organization in the Middle East and North Africa through the International Executive Volunteers (IEV) program for 1 to 3 months beginning in April 2010.

Volunteers must have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, the ability to commit up to 3 months of service, and a resourceful, innovative personality. Previous overseas experience, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa is preferred.
A New Media Specialist is desired to work with bloggers and other civil society activists who use new media in innovative ways to support human rights and democracy in the Middle East and North Africa. Drawing from their own experience, volunteers are asked to work with individual organizations or coalitions to develop long term strategic plans, train staff on Web 2.0 social networking and new media tools, and contribute to program design and development. The ideal candidate will have strong entrepreneurial skills, knowledge of political environments in the Middle East and North Africa, coalition-building skills with targeted audiences in the region, and an accessible online portfolio to highlight their work. Arabic language skills are preferred but not required.

Qualified candidates should possess:
• Competency in a variety of online/web tools and technologies.
• Knowledge of effective political/advocacy messaging for the web.
• Demonstrated ability to use new media tools to effectively communicate with and motivate target groups to advance human rights and democracy initiatives.
• Knowledge of digital security and anticensorship.
• Experience in web development and design, with the ability to produce content for various media outlets such as web, print, and multimedia.

For the past several years, Freedom House has worked in the Middle East supporting civil society through its New Generation of Advocates program. Through trainings on advocacy, technical skills, and reform strategies, as well as international exchanges to developed democracies, the New Gen program further empowers active and emerging leaders in civil society to enhance their existing contribution to democratic reform in their countries. The IEV program complements this effort by placing professional, executive-level volunteers to help strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations, enabling them to more effectively carry out their missions to defend human rights, advocate for legal reforms and create a space for free expression.

Freedom House will cover the volunteer’s international travel expenses as well as provide a housing allowance and a modest daily living stipend for the duration of the assignment.

To learn more about the International Executive Volunteers program or to download the application form, please go to http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=13. To have the application sent to you, please contact Jenai Green. Please send completed application, cover letter, and CV by email or fax to:

Jenai Green
Senior Program Officer, Exchanges
iev@freedomhouse.org
Fax: (202) 293-2840

*Please write "IEV Application (New Media)" in the subject line of your email.

The deadline to apply is January 31, 2010.

Freedom House is an independent nongovernmental organization that supports the expansion of freedom in the world. Freedom is possible only in democratic political systems in which the governments are accountable to their own people; the rule of law prevails; and freedoms of expression, association, and belief, as well as respect for the rights of minorities and women, are guaranteed. Freedom House functions as a catalyst for freedom, democracy and the rule of law through its analysis, advocacy and action.