My Mind Words Paper:
sierra leone literature

Deadline: 23 May 2012

BBC Media Action is looking for a Journalism Trainer to be based in Sierra Leone. The contract is for 4 to 6 weeks.

Location: Sierra Leone

Reports to: Senior Projects Manager and Country Director

Contract duration: 4 - 6 weeks (negotiable) these short-term contracts will start in July/August/September 2012.

JOB PURPOSE

BBC Media Action is looking for experienced and adaptable journalism trainers to deliver a range of radio-related training in Sierra Leone. There are three components to the training and these could be delivered by the same person or by different people. For every role you will preferably have some experience in Africa, especially Sierra Leone. You will have to show some knowledge of the current political situation in Sierra Leone.

MAIN DUTIES

1. Training of BBC Media Action staff to be mentors/trainers in community radio stations

BBC Media Action in Sierra Leone runs a long term mentoring programme for community radio stations in which local journalists are recruited and trained to work as journalism mentors/trainers. They work in radio stations for six months at a time. They help with all aspects of journalism and production training from how to use a recorder to how to schedule programmes. They will also be required to do basic media training for civil society organisations and local government officials.

We are looking for a trainer to deliver a two-week course for new mentors from our office in Freetown. This will cover teaching techniques for journalism training, how to work effectively with station management, key issues to cover in a six-month placement, how to develop a training time table and possibly some journalism skills where required.

In addition, you may also be required to deliver one-day training sessions for groups of print journalists focusing on election reporting or other aspects of journalism.

2. Training for community radio station management and board

BBC Media Action is looking for a trainer with experience in training the management and boards of community radio stations. The trainer would work alongside one of our Sierra Leonean journalism mentors who will be working in a community radio station for six months. You would be required to design and run one-week courses based at three community radio stations in the provinces. Topics would cover effective management of the radio stations, improvement to the editorial processes and ideas and plans for income generation.

Some of the radio stations are in remote locations with basic accommodation and unreliable electricity.

3. Training in election reporting

To deliver a two-week training course for journalists on how to teach election reporting. BBC Media Action has recruited journalists to act as mentors in community radio stations specifically for the election period. The aim is to improve election reporting ahead of the national elections in November.

You will need to be able to design and deliver a course that covers how to teach basic journalism skills, but focusing on election reporting. These must incorporate Sierra Leone’s Independent Media Commission’s latest election reporting guidelines and the BBC’s editorial guidelines. This will be based in our office in Freetown.

In addition, you may also be required to deliver one-day training sessions for groups of print journalists focusing on good election reporting.

Applications instructions: Please send a CV and cover letter to lynn.morris[at]bbcmediaaction.org. Further information on each training component is available upon request.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries/ submissions: lynn.morris[at]bbcmediaaction.org

Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk

Deadline: 23 May 2012

BBC Media Action is looking for a Journalism Trainer to be based in Sierra Leone. The contract is for 4 to 6 weeks.

Location: Sierra Leone

Reports to: Senior Projects Manager and Country Director

Contract duration: 4 - 6 weeks (negotiable) these short-term contracts will start in July/August/September 2012.

JOB PURPOSE

BBC Media Action is looking for experienced and adaptable journalism trainers to deliver a range of radio-related training in Sierra Leone. There are three components to the training and these could be delivered by the same person or by different people. For every role you will preferably have some experience in Africa, especially Sierra Leone. You will have to show some knowledge of the current political situation in Sierra Leone.

MAIN DUTIES

1. Training of BBC Media Action staff to be mentors/trainers in community radio stations

BBC Media Action in Sierra Leone runs a long term mentoring programme for community radio stations in which local journalists are recruited and trained to work as journalism mentors/trainers. They work in radio stations for six months at a time. They help with all aspects of journalism and production training from how to use a recorder to how to schedule programmes. They will also be required to do basic media training for civil society organisations and local government officials.

We are looking for a trainer to deliver a two-week course for new mentors from our office in Freetown. This will cover teaching techniques for journalism training, how to work effectively with station management, key issues to cover in a six-month placement, how to develop a training time table and possibly some journalism skills where required.

In addition, you may also be required to deliver one-day training sessions for groups of print journalists focusing on election reporting or other aspects of journalism.

2. Training for community radio station management and board

BBC Media Action is looking for a trainer with experience in training the management and boards of community radio stations. The trainer would work alongside one of our Sierra Leonean journalism mentors who will be working in a community radio station for six months. You would be required to design and run one-week courses based at three community radio stations in the provinces. Topics would cover effective management of the radio stations, improvement to the editorial processes and ideas and plans for income generation.

Some of the radio stations are in remote locations with basic accommodation and unreliable electricity.

3. Training in election reporting

To deliver a two-week training course for journalists on how to teach election reporting. BBC Media Action has recruited journalists to act as mentors in community radio stations specifically for the election period. The aim is to improve election reporting ahead of the national elections in November.

You will need to be able to design and deliver a course that covers how to teach basic journalism skills, but focusing on election reporting. These must incorporate Sierra Leone’s Independent Media Commission’s latest election reporting guidelines and the BBC’s editorial guidelines. This will be based in our office in Freetown.

In addition, you may also be required to deliver one-day training sessions for groups of print journalists focusing on good election reporting.

Applications instructions: Please send a CV and cover letter to lynn.morris[at]bbcmediaaction.org. Further information on each training component is available upon request.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries/ submissions: lynn.morris[at]bbcmediaaction.org

Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk

The winners of the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize were announced today in Sydney in an exciting climax to this year's final programme. Critically acclaimed international literary titles for Best Book and Best First Book were awarded to:

Best Book Winner – The Memory of Love, Aminatta Forna (Sierra Leone)

The judges praised The Memory of Love for its risk taking, elegance and breadth. A poignant story about friendship, betrayal, obsession and second chances – the novel is an immensely powerful portrayal of human resilience. The judges concluded that The Memory of Love delicately delves into the courageous lives of those haunted by the indelible effects of Sierra Leone’s past and yet amid that loss gives us a sense of hope and optimism for their future. Forna has produced a bold, deeply moving and accomplished novel which confirms her place among the most talented writers in literature today.

Best First Book Winner – A Man Melting, Craig Cliff (New Zealand)

The judges chose this highly entertaining and thought provoking collection of short stories for their ambition, creativity and craftsmanship. Confidently blending ideas that frequently weave outlandish concepts with everyday incidents, the prose is skilfully peppered with social observations that define the world we live in. The eighteen short stories are truly insightful and amplify many of the absurdities around us, reflecting our own expectations, fears and paranoia on the big questions in life. This book is of the moment, and is rightly at home on a global platform. Cliff is a talent to watch and set to take the literary world by storm.

Now in its 25th year and supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation, Commonwealth Writers’ Prize is unique in offering both established and emerging writers the opportunity to showcase their work. The Best Book winner claims £10,000 while the writer of Best First Book wins £5,000.

For the last 25 years the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize has played a key role in unearthing new international literary names, bringing compelling stories of human experience to a wider audience. As highly acclaimed international authors Aminatta Forna and Craig Cliff will follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in modern fiction in winning the Prize, including Louis De Bernieres, Andrea Levy, Ian McEwan, and Zadie Smith.

For the fifth consecutive year the Macquarie Group Foundation, one of Australia’s leading philanthropic foundations, is helping to advance one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the world. With Macquarie’s support the prize has grown to reach more people around the world, encouraging wider reading across a range of Commonwealth cultures and rewarding the rising talent that other prizes often overlook.

Aminatta Forna was born in Glasgow, Scotland and raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Her first book, The Devil that Danced on the Water, was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize 2003. Her novel Ancestor Stones was winner of the 2008 Hurston Wright Legacy Award, the Literaturpreis in Germany, was nominated for the International IMPAC Award and selected by the Washington Post as one of the most important books of 2006. Aminatta lives in London.

Craig Cliff was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand. A graduate of Victoria University’s MA in creative writing, his short stories and poetry have been published in New Zealand and Australia. His short story 'Another Language' won the novice section of the 2007 BNZ Katherine Mansfield Awards. Craig lives in Wellington, New Zealand.

Commenting on the winning announcement, Danny Sriskandarajah Interim Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, said:

“I am delighted to congratulate, the winners of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 2011. In its 25th year, the Prize embodies the Commonwealth at its best. It unearths the best writing from across 54 countries, promoting dialogue and understanding on an international scale.”

Richard Sheppard, Chairman of the Macquarie Group Foundation, the supporter of the Prize, added:

"The Macquarie Group Foundation is delighted that two such diverse writers have won this year's Commonwealth Writers' Prize. For the last 25 years, the Prize has helped to bring writers to new global audiences and I'm sure once again that this year's winners will delight and inspire readers and writers around the world."

Nicholas Hasluck, Chair of the judging panel said:

“This year’s winning books demonstrate the irreducible power of the written word at a time of rapid global change and uncertainty. The standard of entries this year has been exceptional, showcasing work with strong insight, spirit and voice introducing readers to unfamiliar worlds.”

The regional prize winners are:

Africa:

Best Book: The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (Sierra Leone)
Best First Book: Happiness is a four-letter word by Cynthia Jele (South Africa)

Caribbean and Canada:

Best Book: Room by Emma Donoghue (Canada)
Best First Book: Bird Eat Bird by Katrina Best (Canada)

South Asia and Europe:

Best Book: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (UK)
Best First Book: Sabra Zoo by Mischa Hiller (UK)

South East Asia and Pacific:

Best Book: That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott (Australia)
Best First Book: A Man Melting by Craig Cliff (New Zealand)

Contact Information:

Website: http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/