The International Fund for Public Interest Media (the "International Fund") is seeking a dynamic and strategic individual to join its 'What Works' Unit in a part time position, equivalent to 80% FTE (four working days per week). The ideal candidate will have a solid background in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), with strong project management skills essential for leading MEL processes across complex programs. They will be responsible for ensuring rigorous implementation of MEL frameworks by grantees, tracking impact, and communicating results clearly to internal and external stakeholders. Exceptional writing skills and meticulous attention to detail are critical, as the role requires drafting high-quality reports, donor communications, and strategic insights. Experience working in media, media development, or within multilateral organizations is a plus. The candidate should ideally also bring an understanding of media markets in Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine).
About the International Fund for Public Interest Media
The International Fund has its global headquarters in Paris, France, and is the world's only multilateral mechanism responding to the existential threats facing public interest media in low- and middle-income countries. It provides a fresh, ambitious, coordinated, and well- resourced strategic international response to the crisis facing independent
media around the world.
The Fund, first announced at the inaugural Summit for Democracy in 2021, is designed to pool resources and expertise to boost the economic resilience of media markets. The Fund’s grants provide direct core funding to media outlets in need, and help develop long-term sustainable media markets, including through experimentation with national funds and new regulatory approaches. The Fund complements existing efforts in the media development sector, catalysing new money as a globally coordinated but fully independent vehicle.
The Fund is co-chaired by Maria Ressa, journalist, CEO of Rappler, and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Sir Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN and former CEO of the New York Times Company and Director General of the BBC. More details can be found at www.ifpim.org.
The What Works Unit
The What Works Unit is a central component of the International Fund’s long-term strategy. Its core purpose is to identify and disseminate information about approaches that can strengthen the economic resilience of independent media ecosystems. Since its launch in 2023, the What Works Unit (WWU) has become the driving force behind the Fund’s impact evaluation and learning strategies. It has developed a robust monitoring and evaluation framework that is both systematic and flexible, and captures and shares learning and impact from across the International Fund’s portfolio, investing in key pieces of research and knowledge resources, and organizing convenings and other opportunities for learnings to be shared between the International Fund and other information ecosystem actors, including media organizations in the International Fund’s focus regions.
The Role
The MEL Associate will support the Director of the What Works Unit in leading the International Fund’s learning and research portfolio, with an initial focus on Eastern Europe. The successful candidate will be highly organized, proactive, and capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously. They will play a crucial role in the implementation and monitoring of research and learning initiatives, and will provide support in the following areas:
Research and data management:
- Coordinate the collection and analysis of data from International Fund’s grants
across various geographies
- Support the creation and implementation of data collection tools and systems;
- Maintain the International Fund’s knowledge management, data integrity, and accuracy for grantee reporting;
- Provide technical support and guidance on MEL processes and systems to partners and staff members.
Knowledge sharing and communication:
- Track and report on organizational indicators and metrics;
- Draft high-quality and compelling summaries, reports, and presentations based on quantitative and qualitative data collected from MEL activities.
- Collaborate closely with colleagues from regional teams to develop case studies and other learnings drawn from the International Fund’s grant portfolio;
- Coordinate and contribute to the regular production of reports for donors and other external partners including the International Fund’s unified Annual Report.
Relationship management and administrative support:
- Coordinate the planning and execution of workshops, webinars, and other events to disseminate learnings;
- Manage the calendar and agenda for 'What Works' Unit activities
- Support the Director in engaging with academic and research institutions focused on public interest media;
- Coordinate meetings and communications with external stakeholders, including media organizations and donors.
Strategic contributions
- Contribute to the strategic planning and development of the 'What Works' Unit;
- Provide insights and recommendations based on research findings to inform the 'What Works' Unit's strategies and activities;
- Provide guidance and support to regional teams in implementing research and learning activities and the development of Theories of Change (TOCs).
Candidate Profile
- Highly organized, proactive and with exceptional attention to detail.
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Strong analytical and research background, with experience in qualitative and quantitative methods applied to media-focused projects.
- Proven project management experience, with ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Creative, solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
- Open to continuous learning, feedback, and personal growth.
- Strong interpersonal skills and experience working across diverse cultures and regions.
- Experience engaging with global partners, particularly in the Fund’s focus areas: Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and especially Eastern Europe.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Deep commitment to the International Fund’s mission of supporting independent, public interest media.
- Enthusiasm for contributing to external communications, reporting, and events that promote the Fund’s mission.
The following qualities would be a bonus:
- Familiarity with public discourse and debates around media sustainability;
- Experience working in or with media and/or media development organizations.
The International Fund is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and where there is equality of opportunity. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and therefore welcome applications from qualified candidates of all regions, countries, cultures, and backgrounds. Selection of candidates is made on a competitive basis, and we do not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, colour or ethnic background, religious belief, sex, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation, marital or family status, age, or ability.
Travel Requirements
May be required to travel (approximately 5%) for up to one week at the time.
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