Editor-in-Chief

Aidspan, a Kenya-based international think tank and independent observer of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria has a global mandate.  Aidspan seeks to recruit an Editor-in-Chief to (a) direct and manage Aidspan’s flagship newsletter, Global Fund Observer (GFO), and (b) oversee all editorial projects that Aidspan produces as an organisation. This is an international search to fill a challenging and unique position on the Management Team in this lean, flexible and highly specialised organisation. 

1. Aidspan

Aidspan (www.aidspan.org) is an independent watchdog of the Global Fund. Twice per month, Aidspan publishes GFO, subscribed to by nearly 10,000 people in 170 countries.  Aidspan monitors, critiques and explains the Global Fund, with the objective of increasing the effectiveness of the Fund and of the implementers of its grants. Aidspan has a reputation in the Global Fund community for producing clear, succinct, independent writing.

Aidspan is a US-registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation licensed to work in Kenya. It is financed through grants from governments, foundations and corporations. Aidspan does not charge for any of its products or services, nor does it accept funding of any kind from the Global Fund. Donors and the Global Fund have no influence on the content of Aidspan’s publications. Aidspan’s budget for 2013 is just under $2 million.

Aidspan’s impact is larger than its staff size and budget suggests. The Global Fund spends about $3 billion annually, and it estimates that over the last decade, its grants have led to 9 million lives being saved. If Aidspan can cause the Global Fund to raise 1% more money, or to have 1% more impact with the money it spends, it will have made a massive contribution. 

2. Aidspan’s Editorial Unit

The Editorial Unit is responsible for two broad activity areas: (1) producing news, analysis and commentary articles on the Global Fund and related issues; and (2) publishing guides and reports on the Global Fund and related issues.

In 2012, Aidspan published 34 issues of GFO, with over 200 articles and commentaries. Current or past issues of GFO can be found at www.aidspan.org/gfo. 

Also in 2012, Aidspan introduced a service, GFO Live, whereby the news, analysis and commentary articles are posted on its website as they are written, and readers can comment directly. Aidspan has created discussion e-forums on its website where visitors can discuss Global Fund–related issues.

To create more local, country-focused reporting, Aidspan has also launched an initiative to identify local and regional correspondents and contributors who can write articles or feed Aidspan information on developments related to the Global Fund in their countries. 

Over the years, Aidspan has published many guides and reports. The guides provide detailed explanations of Global Fund policies and procedures.  The reports provide in-depth discussion of particular Global Fund-related issues. The guides and reports currently available are listed on the Aidspan website here and here.  

Aidspan is known for clear, concise and jargon-free communication. In the future, a priority is the development a full new communication strategy, which will include a detailed editorial policy and style guide to the development of all Aidspan’s publications. 

The Unit comprises of the Editor-in-Chief, a Senior Editor and it uses the services of analysts and other consultants as needed. Several employees also produce reports and analyses and write for GFO. 

Aidspan recently translated its website into three more languages (French, Spanish and Russian). This expands Aidspan’s reach and relevance beyond the English-speaking world. The responsibilities of the Unit include coordinating translation related to GFO and the publications and website services for which the Unit is responsible.

This job focuses on the changing dynamics of global health policy and on how to create content that can drive dialogue, heat the debate and explain complex changes in Global Fund policy, effectiveness and accountability. The successful candidate will, with a small staff, produce timely, high quality content. He/she will also be a mentor and a manager.  Activities range from identifying and helping write synopses of new stories, to rewriting parts of articles; from suggesting new analytical direction to contact building in the wider media. Managing and developing others is a big part of this role, and the successful candidate will show how they would balance this while at the same time delivering their own ideas.

3. Responsibilities

The Editor-in-Chief will report to the Executive Director, and will be a member of the Management Team. He/she will manage the activities of the Editorial Unit, supervise the Senior Editor, and coordinate all contributors to GFO. Specifically the Editor-in-Chief will:

• Determine which articles will be written for GFO Live and the GFO newsletter, and assign the task of preparing the articles.
• Oversee production and editing of GFO newsletter, with sign off on all articles, in four languages. 
• Develop and manage the local and regional correspondent initiative.
• Manage the preparation of, and edit (as relevant), all Aidspan guides and all reports that are produced by the Editorial, Research and Outreach Units.
• Mentor Editorial Unit staff and consultants (and, upon request, other staff and consultants) regarding their writing.
• Develop and manage Aidspan’s media outreach programme to ensure wide dissemination of our publications.
• Write or edit (as relevant) Aidspan’s web and public relations (PR) content.
• Manage all web services for which the Unit is responsible.
• Work with the management team and the rest of the organization to develop a and implement a communication strategy. This will include a detailed editorial policy and guide to Aidspan’s writings. 

4. Qualifications, knowledge, skills and attributes

Required:

1. A graduate/masters degree in media/journalism, communication or health, or related subject and at least 10 years’ experience in a combination of the following areas: as a reporter, writer, editor, or senior public health communicator.
2. At least five years’ experience in an editorial or editorial-related position, preferably demonstrating increasing management responsibility over time.
3. Experience planning, creating, managing and reporting with budgets and time frames.
4. Excellent editing, writing and rewriting skills, with at least five years’ copy editing experience.
5. A proven track record of writing clear and jargon-free articles and reports, and conducting analysis of news.
6. Experience of managing and mentoring to build contacts and deliver stories, and reach wide media outlets through traditional or non-traditional channels.
7. Experience of financial or economic news analysis; numerate with the ability to understand financial and programmatic data
8. Experience of digital publishing environment, with a record of ability to create and deliver a suite of digital web-based services (e.g. breaking news, daily alerts, e-fora or related services).
9. Excellent writing skills.
10. Excellent oral skills, including for oral presentation of complex subjects.
11. Well organised self-starter, with attention to detail.
12. Leader and strong team player, with excellent inter-personal relationships and a good sense of humour.

Preferred:

1. Advanced Degree in journalism, communications or English.
2. Significant knowledge of the Global Fund.
3. Visual aptitude; an interest in design, particularly graphical design.
4. French or Spanish competence.

5. Job location

This position is based at Aidspan’s office in Nairobi, Kenya.  Applicants do not have to be citizens/residents of Kenya, as this is an international search. However, preference will be given to those who are either citizens of Kenya, or who have documented proof that they are permitted by the government to work in the country.

6. Salary and benefits

Aidspan staff are given two-year contracts and salaries are paid in Kenya shillings.  A generous salary and benefits package is discussed during and after the final interviews. The salary package will be commensurate with the candidates experience and qualifications.   

7. Equal Opportunity

Aidspan is committed to encouraging diversity and eliminating discrimination.  There will be no discrimination on any grounds and we encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

Next steps

If you are interested in this position, please do as follows:

• Study the information provided in this document and some of the key documents on Aidspan’s website (for example Annual Report 2012; Annual Plan 2013, Unified Proposal 2013).
• Prepare a cover letter of up to 2 pages (addressed to Ms. Wambui Munene, Finance and Admin Director, Aidspan) which explains (a) why you are interested in the position; (b) how your qualifications and experience match the job description; and (c) why you believe you are be a strong candidate. The letter should give your salary history (in your last three positions) and should specify your salary expectations.
• Ensure that your CV has 3 references, who are aware of this application.
• Prepare a zipped folder with three publications as sample writing pieces.
• Send all documents (cover letter, CV and 3 writing samples) to info@aidspan.org.

Applications must be submitted electronically by 12^th June 2013. A short list of applicants will be contacted by phone and then called for an interview in Nairobi between 8^th and 19^th July 2013. The selected candidate should be available to start work by 1^st September 2013.