Tag: Hub

BIRN – Regional Network Director

Outstanding individual sought for this exciting post, heading up the work of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Regional Network, BIRN Hub, the unique media development and human rights organisation in the Balkans. BIRN’s hard-hitting reporting and analysis has gained an unparalleled reputation in the 12 years since it was founded.

This post gives an opportunity to develop the network’s work at a time of key challenges in the Balkan region. The successful candidate will play a defining role in driving BIRN’s work over the coming years, develop and implement new strategies and extend and build partnerships across the region and internationally.

1.     WHO WE ARE?

The BIRN Network is a close-knit family of non-governmental, non-profit organisations, promoting freedom of speech, human rights and democratic values with a presence across the Balkans. Tacking key issues of the region BIRN implements a range of programmes and projects. They focus on journalist training, publishing, broadcasting, media-monitoring, advocacy and debate, working with civil society organisations and creating public archives and databases.

We have country-based organisations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia, while BIRN Hub acts as our umbrella organisation. It is a non-governmental, non-profit independent organisation registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina whose job is to act as the secretariat of BIRN’s individual country-based organisations.

Additionally, BIRN Hub manages the majority of the network’s regional programmes which are implemented in cooperation with our country-based or other organisations, journalists and consultants. The work of BIRN Hub includes capacity-building of the network, the quality control of editorial output and the management of websites at the regional level. It also includes journalist training and editorial production, implemented through several programmes.

Our network of journalists and editors also includes Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, and beyond. We have a wide media presence; online, on social media, in print, television, radio. Balkan Insight is our flagship website.

 2.     WHAT DO WE SEEK?

A BIRN Regional Director (BIRN Hub), will have the following responsibilities:

  • Ensuring fiscal and legal compliance in the work of BIRN Hub, under the respective laws of Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Ensuring the smooth operation of all projects and programmes implemented by the network
  • Ensuring compliance with donor requirements for projects and programmes implemented by BIRN Hub as the lead partner
  • Ensuring proper and timely staffing of the organisation
  • Leading and motivating employees and effectively managing the human resources of  BIRN Hub
  • Ensuring the effective administration of BIRN Hub operations including the efficient completion of all BIRN Hub’s duties as the network’s secretariat
  • Ensuring an exchange of information and decision-making processes within and between BIRN Hub, the BIRN network, the Steering Committee and Assembly, in compliance with Network Rules and Regulations, the BIRN Network Cooperation Agreement, BIRN Hub’s Statute and all legal provisions
  • Ensure Network Rules and Regulations are implemented and the values of the network are respected and maintained throughout across the BIRN family
  • Ensuring maintenance, smooth operations and regional cooperation within the BIRN network, in compliance with the Network Rules and Regulations
  • Ensuring the BIRN network’s compliance with international standards of journalism, libel laws, professionalism and objectivity
  • Leading the BIRN network’s fundraising activities with a specific focus on regional programmes and deepening cooperation within the network, including the design of programmes and projects, representation of BIRN Network in public and donor relations
  • Represent BIRN Hub and BIRN network in public, (including events, public appearances and donor conferences,) with the aim of furthering the network’s mission

3.     WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

  • An excellent understanding of Balkan politics, society, and interethnic relations, plus a strong editorial background
  • Strong media development experience and knowledge of international journalistic standards
  • Commitment, drive and passion for human rights and media freedom
  • At least five years of executive experience in the non-profit sector
  • A proven track record in fundraising and an understanding donor relations unique to the non-profit sector
  • A solid understanding of financial cycles, including budget preparation, analysis, financially-informed decision-making and reporting
  • Strong organisational skills, including planning, delegating, programme development and task facilitation
  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff of different backgrounds
  • Public appearance, diplomacy and speaking skills and excellence in conveying messages, including the vision of BIRN’s strategic future to staff, the Board, donors and public
  • Excellent English speaking and writing skills and knowledge of at least one language of the Balkans

4.     WHAT ARE WE OFFERING?

  • An opportunity to work with a motivated, diverse team of professionals and to pursue the BIRN’s mission
  • A 4-year contract (renewable) and a competitive salary package, after a 3-month probation period
  • Working from one of our offices in the Balkans with the opportunity of frequent travel around the region

Eligible candidates are invited to send an application including a CV, motivation letter and supplementary documentation to support their candidacy to [email protected], no later than August 1, 2017.

The short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview by the 15th of August 2017. The successful candidate is expected to start with the 1st of October 2017.

BIRN Wins Four EU Investigative Journalism Awards

The 2017 regional scheme of the EU awarding investigative journalism in the Western Balkans and Turkey, for the best investigative stories published in 2016, has come to an end.

The three-year award scheme established by the European Commission following the EU Enlargement strategy, aimed at monitoring the reform processes and keeping alive the historic momentum towards EU accession, has thus been concluded.

This year, BIRN won four awards, in Kosovo, Serbia, Macedonia, and Albania.

The outcome of the three-year scheme, implemented in 2015, 2016 and 2017, has been 64 awards for investigative stories produced by 88 journalists across the region.

The winning stories were selected from a total of 679 nominations.

The organisers noted the prominent place BIRN won for itself over the three years of the award scheme.

“Balkan Investigative Journalism Network (BIRN) and centers for investigative journalism (CIN) operating in several countries of the region were featured prominently among the awarded investigative stories (receiving a total of 18 out of 64 prizes awarded). It points to the role of independent, non-profit investigative journalism centers and networks in production of quality investigative journalism in the region”, the organisers wrote in the press release.

Balkan Fellowship Journalist Elvis Nabolli Wins Investigative Award

Elvis Nabolli, a 2016 fellow in the Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence, has won the award for best article by young investigative journalist, as part of the part of EU Investigative Awards in Albania.

Nabolli won for his article produced as part of the fellowship ‘An Albanian War on Drugs,’ published by Balkan Insight.

“Freedom of expression and freedom of the media implies a commitment to democracy, good governance and political accountability. These are some of prerequisites for a country to become part of the EU and one of the reasons why each of you play such an important role in creating EU standards,” said Jan Rudolph, Head of Political, Economic and Information Section announcing the EU Investigative Journalism Awards.

The Award ceremony was held on June 7th, 2017, at the European Union Info Center, Tirana. A total of 28 investigative stories were nominated for this year’s EU Award in Albania, 18 of whom from journalists under 35. Jury consisted of five prominent media professionals and civil society representatives: Rrapo Zguri, professor of journalism and jury chair, Aleksander Cipa, head of Union of Albanian Journalists, Valbona Sulce, media expert and member of Steering Council of public broadcaster, Lutfi Dervishi, media expert, and Adi Krasta, TV personality.

Valbona Sulce, member of the jury, stated that the jury faced a difficult task, given that the quality of nominations was good, covering a wide range of topics that are relevant to the society. In addition, the predominance of young journalists among the nominations received is also a good sign for the future of investigative journalism in the country, she said.

Resonant Voices Workshops Begin Across Balkans

A series of interactive workshops has started in five Western Balkan countries aimed at enabling critical voices to respond to dangerous messages and radicalisation online.

In cooperation with CIJA US and Talk 2.0, BIRN has organised workshops in Skopje, Tirana, Pristina, Belgrade and Sarajevo with the participation of more than 80 activists, journalists, bloggers, educators, religious communities representatives and other online and offline influencers in order to help them develop online communication strategies to respond to dangerous content.

The training sessions were led by Sanjana Hattotuwa, special advisor at the ICT 4 Peace Foundation, and Sarah Oh, a US-based communication expert, while participants also had the opportunity to hear from Facebook experts and Balkan-based organisations such as Sbunker, Halakate, Helsinki Committee, Vidiovo, Hocu.ba, Istinomer and others.

“In recent months we have seen increased propaganda, hate speech and calls for violence online, which in some cases like in Kosovo or Macedonia resulted in physical attacks on prominent activists and political figures. In parallel, there is a global trend to curb free media, either through fake news or economic and political pressure. In a circumstances like this, we believe our initiative will help local stakeholders to respond to these negative trends in a timely and proper way,” BIRN’s project manager Marija Ristic said.

Workshops were held under the umbrella of the Resonant Voices Initiative – a project implemented by the CIJA US, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network and Talks 2.0.

The initiative aims to challenge extremist narratives in public discourse throughout the Western Balkans – in particular those disseminated online – and to equip critical voices in the target countries with the skills, know-how and resources to counter radicalisation, the recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters and violent extremists and other dangerous trends.

It will also empower a diverse group of civil society actors – activists, journalists, bloggers, educators and other online (and offline) influencers – to become resonant voices, able to counter violent extremism, to push back against extremist propaganda and to increase and amplify alternative, positive messages.

To learn more about the project, follow the Resonant Voices Initiative on Facebook and on Twitter.

Enhancing Network Performance and Online Reporting on Kosovo-Serbian Relations and Future of Bosnia

BIRN Hub – past programme

The aims to enhance the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and Albania through continuous reporting on two pressing issues: the Future of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo-Serbia relations. It does this through debates on social networks and blogs, and through republications of relevant BIRN articles in local media.

Summary

It is of great importance to contribute to the enhancement of the democratization process in the Balkans by supporting the work of independent media, and consequently improving the content of the media and allowing BIRN to continue to serve as an independent, reliable, high quality platform for journalists, media organizations and others.

As part of this project, BIRN produces high quality articles that tackle issues surrounding the two topics in focus- Future of Bosnia and Kosovo-Serbia relations- and give them visibility in their respective countries and the wider region.

In addition, BIRN endeavours to further advance the professional skills of investigative journalistic teams in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania through on-the-job training. This project also works to steer online public debate through social networks and blogs.

Finally, BIRN aims to ensure that this project and these crucial issues remain visible. It secures local visibility in Bosnia and Herzegovina by translating produced content in Bosnian language, and enhances the professional capacities of media in all the countries by republishing articles from BIRN’s flagship Balkan Insight web site in local, regional and international print and electronic media outlets. The most important articles are translated in local languages to have a greater impact.

Under the project, BIRN's editorial team continues with its regular on-the-job trainings with journalists, and a special focus page has been created for each topic.

The Future of Bosnia page will have additional blogs that will attract new readers to the web site. In addition, active online campaigns are being carried out to promote the articles on social networks (Google Ad campaigns, Facebook campaigns, etc.).

This project ultimately aims to provide the general public with better, more relevant and insightful reporting.

This should consequently affect not only the general public but also decision-makers, who will be encouraged to take a more active role in influencing the issues that affect them and their constituencies.

Although it is difficult to measure the impact the articles have on the general public, Google Analytics allows us to see how many readers visited our web site over a certain period, where they are from, and which articles interested them most. We can also see which institutions visit our site.

In cooperation with media outlets in the region, our Development staff will keep track of republications in local and international media by collecting necessary data (pages from the newspapers and picture files which contain online articles).

This project is funded by the Balkan Trust for Democracy. BIRN Hub is implementing the project in cooperation with BIRN Serbia, BIRN Kosovo, BIRN Macedonia and BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Information Sheet

Main Objective:
 
  • The overall objective of the proposed project is to enhance the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and Albania through continuous reporting on burning issues (Future of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo-Serbian relations), through debating on social networks and blogging, and through republications in local media.
  • It is of great importance to contribute to the enhancement of democratization process in the Balkans by supporting the constant work of independent media, and consequently improving the content of the media, allowing BIRN to keep serving as an independent, reliable, high quality platform for journalists, media organizations and others.

Specific Objectives:

 
  • To produce high quality articles that will tackle Future Bosnia and Kosovo-Serbian relations’ topics and give them a visibility in respective countries and wider region;
  • To further advance journalistic skills of investigative journalistic teams in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania, thorugh on-the-job training;
  • To steer online public debate through social networks and blogs;
  • To secure local visibility in Bosnia and Herzegovina by translating produced content in Bosnian language;
  • To enhance professional capacities of media in these countries by republishing articles from BIRN’s flagship Balkan Insight web site in local, regional and international print and electronic media outlets.

Main Activities:

Training and publishing

  • BIRN editorial team with continue with its regular on-the-job trainings with journalists, enhancing their journalistic skills;
  • Kosovo-Serbian Relations Special Focus Page created;
  • Journalists will report on Future Bosnia and Kosovo-Serbian relations’ topics, making them visible for local readers and the ones from abroad;
  • The most important articles will be translated in local languages, so that higher impact could be achieved;
  • Future Bosnia Focus Page will have additional blogs that will attract new readers to the web site;

Republication and articles promotion

  • The articles will be offered to local print, electronic, and online media for republications;
  • Active online campaigns (visibility actions) for the articles’ promotion on social networks (Google Adds campaigns, Facebook campaigns).

Target Groups:

 
  • General public, local decision-makers, Diaspora, international stakeholders

Improving Network’s Elements and Online Reporting on Kosovo Organ Trafficking, Macedonia Name Dispute and Crisis in Bosnia

BIRN Hub – past programme

This project aims to raise the visibility of hot topics in the Balkans by creating three special focus pages on BalkanInsight.com that cover organ trafficking in Kosovo, the Macedonia name dispute and the ongoing political crisis in Bosnia.

Summary

In addition, the project aims to strengthen the editorial team in Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The creation of the focus pages allows the public to easily access information on some of the most pressing topics in the region. Through the project, BIRN journalists receive extensive on-the-job training that helps them produce high quality analytical and investigative reporting.

Their work appears as part of the daily news service provided by Balkan Insight, and their analysis and investigative reports are also published on the site.

BIRN has redesigned several templates for the new focus webpages in order to attract more visits. It is also actively offering articles to local media in the Balkans and working to ensure increasing numbers of republications (BIRN cooperates extensively with more than 100 media outlets in the region). BIRN also advertises its investigative reports through social networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

This project impacts the local community by providing quality reporting on the most important issues in the countries covered by BIRN, and grouping that information on easy-to-use webpages.

By monitoring the organ trafficking investigation on its Kosovo focus page, BIRN can have a significant impact in creating political willingness to cooperate with investigators.

Meanwhile, BIRN's Macedonia focus page regularly publishes and republishes articles about the country's dispute with Greece over its name, which helps open the platform for those individuals and groups widely neglected and oppressed by the populist government.

The Bosnia focus page monitors the multi-ethnic tension on the governmental level in Bosnia, which can seriously affect the stability of the region.

The project is funded by the Balkan Trust for Democracy.

Information Sheet

Main Objective:

  • The main objective of the project is to raise visibility of hot topics in the Balkans by creating special focus pages that deal with key issues in the region

Specific Objectives:

  • To raise visibility of important topics in the Balkans through three special focus pages on www.balkainsight.com;
  • To strengthen editorial team in Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Main Activities:

Writing reports and publication

  • Creation of three new focus pages: Kosovo Organ Trafficking, Macedonia Name Dispute and Crisis in Bosnia that will allow public to have easy approach on the topics they are interested in;
  • On-the-job training for journalists which will secure highly skilled analytical and investigative reporting;
  • Publishing daily news;
  • Publishing analytical output on the web site.

Republication, Internet campaign and Commercialization

  • Redesigning several templates (new focus pages) for web site to attract more visits;
  • Activly offering articles to local media in the Balkans (BIRN has extensive cooperation with more than 100 media outlets in the region) and making sure that high number of republications will be secured;
  • Active advertisement of our investigative outputs through social networks (Facebook, twitter, etc.).

Target Groups:

Project impact on community, target group per focus page:

  • Kosovo Organ Trafficking – monitoring the procedures in future investigation into organ trafficking can have significant impact in creating political willingness to cooperate with investigators;
  • Macedonia Name Dispute – regularly publishing and republishing articles about Alexander the great drive in Macedonia would open platform for those widely neglected and oppressed by populist government;
  • Crisis in Bosnia – monitoring the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with multi-ethnic tension on the governmental level, which can seriously damage the stability of the region.

Advancing Sustainability of Independent Online Investigative Journalism

BIRN Hub – past programme

BIRN’s advancing sustainability project promotes the democratisation process in the region by training journalists and publishing quality content.

Austrian Development Agency (ADA)

DONOR
Austrian Development Agency, ADA, implements the Austrian Development Cooperation’s bilateral programmes and projects, which support countries in Africa, Asia, Central America and Southeastern and Eastern Europe as they work to obtain sustainable social, economic and democratic development.

In Southeast Europe, the ADA aims to promote private sector development to generate employment and income.

It works to harness synergies with the Austrian private sector and industry, and devotes particular attention to mobilising youth.

The agency’s projects assist in modernising the educational systems, bringing higher education and vocational training into line with European standards and labour market requirements.

In addition, the ADA is committed to advancing rule of law and civil society as well as measures to combat human trafficking.

The Austrian Development Agency is a donor to the Paper Trail for Better Governance programme.

Web: https://www.entwicklung.at/en/

Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD)

DONOR
The Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) is an initiative that supports democracy, good governance, and Euroatlantic integration in Southeastern Europe.

This award-winning public-private partnership was created in 2003 by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. BTD’s original ten-year mandate came to an end in May 2013. BTD then entered into its second mandate (2013-20) with structural changes to geographic coverage and grantmaking scope.

The Balkan Trust for Democracy operates with a small, experienced staff that actively seeks out and incorporates expertise from a wide variety of partners. These experts, along with GMF staff, make up the grantmaking committee that reviews proposals to ensure that BTD’s programs are effective, responsive to local needs, and complementary to other initiatives supported by the international community.

An Advisory Board of experts from Southeastern Europe and key international organisations guides the Balkan Trust for Democracy’s strategic development.

BTD is structured to allow both European and U.S. partners to join the effort to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in the Balkans. Since its founding, additional contributions from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Belgrade, Compagnia di San Paolo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Robert Bosch Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and Tipping Point Foundation have made BTD a true transatlantic partnership.

Web: http://www.gmfus.org/program/balkan-trust-democracy