CHIEF EXECUTIVE/ MEDIA FOR DEVELOPMENT

Salary: 50K per annum (subject to 6-month review)

RECRUITMENT PACK

1. Who we are
Media for Development (MFD) is a not-for-profit media innovations company that uses the creative power of media to find solutions to some of societys more intractable problems. We work with marginalised communities and individuals in ways which build confidence and new skills and enable people to participate more fully in society. Specifically, we manage radio and TV stations in prisons which offer people new skills and opportunities to change their lives for the better, run community film and digital projects which encourage people to think about themselves in more positive ways, and work with the end users to create digital tools which will help solve problems they face. As a team, we share a drive to be creative in the approach we take to our work and to offer real social value, whilst recognising that our ability to achieve this depends on running effectively as a business.

2. Background to the appointment

Media for Development was founded in 1999 by James Greenshields who in March 2013 moved to the position of Executive Chair of the MFD Board. An interim Chief Executive has been running the organization since March. We are looking for someone able to make a commitment for some years and to take our organisation to the next stage of growth. The salary being offered will be reviewed after a 6-month appraisal.

3. Who you are

Media for Development (MFD) has been growing steadily since its launch in 1999 and is now looking to accelerate growth. We are looking for a mission-focused, seasoned, strategic leader with experience of scaling an organization and the ability to inspire funders, commissioners and investors with MFDs vision for social change. Although our beginnings were in overseas development we have been working since 2004 exclusively in the UK and the greatest depth of our experience is in the criminal justice sector. Our medium term plans are to strengthen our work in this sector, but there is the opportunity for a new CEO to develop new areas according to personal expertise. Our income is a mixture of: - project-specific grant funding from Trusts and Foundations (roughly 44% of turnover in 2013/4) - SLAs with the National Offender Management Service and three prisons (28%) - trading - an established film production company (Inside Job Productions) acts as a social enterprise generating unrestricted income for MFD (28%).

You will be able to manage this variety and to identify and seize opportunities for growth. In addition, you will be able to create and manage the necessary structures to
ensure that the organization is able to deliver its mission.

4. Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Executive Chair and Board of MFD, the CEO will lead all its operations and will have the following responsibilities: In consultation with the Executive Chair and Board of MFD, to create a long-term vision and strategic plan for the organization To inspire funders, investors and win the business to implement the plan and enable steady growth To represent MFD with the media, community, government and private organisations and build an excitement for MFDs mission To work with the Executive Chair to ensure that the Board receives appropriate advice and information on all relevant matters and enable it to fulfill its governance responsibilities To ensure the operational robustness of the organization to deliver the vision To co-ordinate the annual operations plan and budget, lead the performance management process and provide strong and inspiring leadership to the staff team To support the growth of income-generating activities within the trading arms of the organization

5. Key Qualifications:
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual with extensive leadership experience to grow and further develop proven programmes that have already made a significant impact. As a pre-requisite, the successful candidate must identify with the core values of MFD and drive forward our mission. The candidate should demonstrate a passion for breaking new ground to lead social change and inspiring others. We are looking for a candidate that has experience in leading growth and replication in an organization and a demonstrated ability to both lead and build the capabilities of a driven, bright, and creative team. MFD operates in an entrepreneurial style, identifying and responding rapidly to new opportunities that arise, so experience of working in a similar environment will be highly prized. Much of our work is focused in the criminal justice system and in the potential of digital tools, so candidates bringing experience in one or both of these areas are particularly welcome. Additional requirements are: Strategic vision and agility: Ability to think strategically, anticipate future trends, spot opportunities and incorporate them into an organizational plan A high level of business acumen: Successful P & L management and the ability to balance the delivery of projects against the realities of a budget; problem solving, project management, and creative resourcefulness Leadership and organization: Exceptional capacity to manage and lead people; a team builder who has experience in scaling up teams and/or organizations; ability to connect with staff on an individual level and in large groups; capacity to enforce accountability, develop and empower existing team members, cultivate entrepreneurship, and learn

the strengths and weaknesses of the team so as to put people in a position to succeed Results: a proven track record of exceeding goals and a bottom-line orientation; evidence of the ability to make difficult decisions by weighing up complex and sometimes incomplete information against the need to act Action oriented: Enjoys working hard and looks for challenges; not afraid to take charge of a situation; can overcome resistance to leadership and take unpopular stands when necessary General management: Thorough understanding of finance, systems, and HR; broad experience with the full range of business functions and systems, including strategic development and planning, budgeting, business analysis, finance, information systems, human resources, and marketing Criminal justice system: the main focus of our work at the moment is on the Criminal Justice System. Previous experience in this field is not essential, but an interest in it will be.

Recruitment timetable
Deadline for applications: Monday 7 October 2013 First round interviews will be held in the week commencing Monday 21st October 2013 Second round interviews will be held in the week commencing Monday 28th October 2013

Contact details for further info

Further information on Media for Development is available from our website at www.mediafordevelopment.org.uk Further information on our trading arm, Inside Job Productions is available at www.insidejobproductions.co.uk To apply for the post, please send a CV and a covering letter, clearly outlining how you fulfil the person specification, to Peri Petkova, Administrator, Media for Development, 16 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NT or send by email to info@mediafordevelopment.org.uk