Regional Director: Asia, Pacific & Europe

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development organisation, and we believe in the power of media and communication for good. We work in more than 20 countries around the world, supporting the independent media essential to democracy and development. Each year our projects and programmes reach over 100 million people facing poverty, inequality and insecurity with information they can trust, helping to improve health, bridge divides, challenge prejudice, and save and change lives. We follow the editorial standards and values of the BBC, but we rely on funding from donors and partners to carry out our work.

We currently work in eight countries across South and South-East Asia and the Pacific as well as across much of Eastern Europe. Our work ranges from strengthening capacity in the media industry and supporting regulatory reform; to producing radio, television and on-line programming that tackles key development and humanitarian issues across the themes of health, governance, climate and livelihoods.

Job purpose

This exciting and influential role will shape and implement BBC Media Action’s strategy by providing vision and strategic direction to all of the charity’s work in the geographical region. The role is accountable for the strategic direction and effective management of all activity within the region, by building and developing an effective team, driving excellence in quality and impact and managing financial and human resources in line with policy. The role also drives business development across the region and is a key member of BBC Media Action’s global management team.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support to country directors and their teams in planning strategy; designing and delivering programmes; and responding to risks and issues that arise.
• Take accountability for editorial decision-making; programme quality; financial performance; safety & security; safeguarding; and legal & donor compliance across the region, providing oversight and a point of referral to country directors in all of these areas.
• Drive business development efforts across the region, working closely with the central business development team to identify opportunities; maximise the amount of new business won; and track progress and risks related to business development.
• Liaise with central departments to ensure smooth and effective cooperation with and support to country programmes.
• Represent BBC Media Action from time to time, within the wider BBC and externally.

The successful applicant will bring:

• Compassionate and collaborative leadership skills, gained from working at a senior level in media and/or international development (preferably having experience of both).
• Excellent judgement and decision-making skills, including the ability to adapt, react and respond to crises, and to evaluate risk.
• Strong understanding of and commitment to international development, including the use of media for developmental goals.
• Proven ability to raise funds from large institutional donors with a clear understanding of their priorities and how the work of BBC Media Action might address these.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of public interest editorial values and practical experience of senior level editorial decision-making.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, fluent written and spoken English and an ability to communicate with people at all levels, internally and externally, and the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues from a range of background and contexts.

Location details

The role will be based in one of BBC Media Action’s offices in the region. Current BBC Media Action offices are in the following cities, and the role could be based in any of these, subject to the prevailing security situation at the time of appointment: Delhi, Dhaka, Jakarta, Kabul, Kathmandu, Kyiv, Phnom Penh, Suva, Yangon. Candidates based in these countries but outside these cities would be offered support to relocate if necessary.

Applications are welcome from anyone with the existing right to work in any of those countries. The successful applicant will be employed and based in their home country, with salary set according to BBC Media Action’s local pay scales in that country.

Safeguarding

This role may involve working with groups of vulnerable children, youth, and adults. For the successful candidate, mandatory training will be provided on BBC Media Action’s safeguarding policy and staff code of conduct. BBC Media Action operates a zero-tolerance policy concerning all forms of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. A police background check may form part of the recruitment process.