Great Jobs at the Media Council of Kenya

The Media Council of Kenya is an independent national institution established by the Media Act, 2007 as the leading institution in the regulation of media and in the conduct and discipline of journalists. 

It is mandated to, amongst other things, register and accredit journalists, register media establishments, handle complaints from the public and create and publish yearly media audit on the Media Freedom in Kenya. 

Council membership is drawn from media stakeholders in Kenya including the Media Owners Association, Kenya Union of Journalists, Kenya Correspondents Association, Kenya Editors Guild, Public Relations Society of Kenya, Kenya News Agency, Private and Public Universities, the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication and the Law Society of Kenya. 

In its bid to fulfil its mandate, the Council seeks to recruit self -driven and result-oriented candidates to fill the following positions:

Complaints Commissioner 

Overall Purpose of the Position 

The successful candidate will join other four members of the Commission to ensure that this Commission deals with complaints in a timely and effective manner in keeping with the Media Act, the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya and the rules of procedure. 

Requirements for Appointment 

For appointment to this position an applicant must possess the following qualifications:- 

  • Holds or has held a judicial office in Kenya or who is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya of not less than ten years standing;
  • Ability to write easy-to-read and reasoned judgments in keeping with the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya and internationally accepted media practices and professional ethics;
  • Have a high moral character, integrity, impartiality and commitment to public service;
  • Although this is not a full-time position, the applicant must be available to carry out all the functions of the Complaints Commission in a timely fashion and as the needs arise.
Programmes Officer 

Overall Purpose of the Position 

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Programmes Officer will supervise and lead programme support staff and coordinate project activities. 

He /she will work in close collaboration with training and media monitoring team, technical advisors and experts, donors and partners, consultants, government officials and civil society to ensure successful media programmes implementation. 

Roles and Responsibilities 
  • Develop project proposals and reports for donors.
  • Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and ensure implementation of the resource mobilization strategies.
  • Ensure provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
  • Design and implement media programmes.
  • Oversee monitoring and evaluation of MCK´s media related programmes.
Academic and Professional Qualifications 
  • A minimum of a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Media Studies or Development Communication. Post graduate qualifications in Project Planning and Management will be an added advantage.
  • At least 5 years hands on experience in media and journalism related issues at national level;
  • Good understanding and experience in programme/project cycle management;
  • Good understanding of programme finances and demonstrated experience of formulating, tracking and reporting against budgets;
  • Excellent in time management , demonstrated capacity of multi-tasking and working effectively under pressure for extended periods and meet strict deadlines;
  • Strong research, policy analysis and fundraising skills;
  • Ability to engage substantively with networks of professionals in the media industry and government;
  • A strong team player, supervisor and willing to lend a hand to other team members, when required;
  • Good skills in using office software applications, intranet and internet based applications;
  • Resourcefulness, initiative and high sense of responsibility;
  • Knowledge of media ownership configuration, media policy, laws and regulations and media role in democracy in Kenya.
Human Resources and Administration Officer 

Overall Purpose of the Position 

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Human Resources and Administration Officer will coordinate the human resources function of the Council. 

Roles and Responsibilities 
  • Develop and maintain sound HR policies and systems to foster favourable management culture.
  • Foster effective communication and policy dissemination at all levels within the organization.
  • Guide the managers and other employees in matters related to career development, staffing initiatives, employee relations, workplace ethics and performance management.
  • Plan, supervise and coordinate the activities related to employment, labour relations, compensation and employee relations.
  • Design and organize employee training programs for safety, welfare and wellness.
  • Assess relevant training needs for staff individuals and organization, in consultation with departmental heads, including assessment methods and performance measurement and improvement tracking systems.
  • Prepare departmental plans and budgets, in liaison with the HOD’s.
Academic and Professional Qualifications 
  • Bachelors’ degree in Human Resources management, Business Administration or Social Sciences;
  • Post graduate diploma in Human Resource/Personnel Management from IHRM or KIM;
  • Have well-developed communication (written/verbal), interpersonal and facilitation skills including the ability to liaise with individuals at all levels in a variety of situations.
  • Minimum of three years working experience in a state corporation or semi-autonomous government institution;
  • Excellent organizational, negotiation, strategic and analytical skills;
  • Knowledge of the Kenyan Labour Laws;
  • Excellent communication and public relations skills;
  • Demonstrated ability to cope and manage change and a sincere commitment to the mission of the Media Council of Kenya;
  • Must be between the age of 30-40 years;
  • Computer Literate.
Accreditation and Compliance Officer 

Overall Purpose of the Position 

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Accreditation and Compliance Officer will provide leadership for the journalism profession compliance with accreditation standards of the Media Council of Kenya as guided by the Media Act 2007. 

Roles and Responsibilities 
  • Undertake Accreditation of journalists operating in Kenya.
  • Create and maintain registers of journalists, media houses and journalism training and learning institutions.
  • Develop and maintain a knowledge-based database of the who-is-who in the media.
  • Ensure that the electronic professional data collected by the Accreditation Department is accurate and easily accessible.
  • Monitor compliance rates.
  • Assist and handle all the administrative services regarding day to day operations and procedures related to accreditation.
  • Provide periodic reports to the Executive Director and the Council.
  • Systematically cultivate long term, collaborative, strategic relationships with media institutions and associations for journalists and other stakeholders to ensure mainstreaming of compliance standards.
Academic and Professional Qualifications 
  • A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution preferably in Administration, Communications or related field;
  • 2 years of experience related to at least two of the areas of responsibility described above;
  • Above average skills and experience in ICT- based applications;
  • Excellent knowledge of professional media standards, media law and ethics and familiarity with the operations of media as well the media status and landscape in Kenya;
  • Ability to balance competing priorities, complex situations and tight deadlines;
  • Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication skills;
  • Flexible and ready to travel and work outside the office.
Assistant Finance Officer 

Overall Purpose of the Position 

Reporting to the Finance Officer, the Assistant Finance Officer will undertake Accounting and Finance tasks in line with the requirement of the public sector financial management framework and relevant professional standards towards ensuring financial discipline and accuracy in a technically computerized environment. 

Roles and Responsibilities 
  • Ensuring that all transactions are captured in the accounting system.
  • Preparing books of accounts and maintain contract ledger for various contract works.
  • Filing and maintenance of account records in a manner consistent with the Council’s policy and public sector requirements.
  • Prompt preparation of monthly Bank reconciliations and weekly cash flow reports.
  • Assist in the preparation of financial and donor reports.
  • Maintain records for debtors and creditors and generate regular reports on accounts due for action and any reconciliation thereof.
  • Processing payment documents and initiates the payment process.
  • Assist the Finance Officer in preparing the statutory accounts.
Academic and Professional Qualifications 
  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics or business administration;
  • Possess a minimum of CPA II accounting professional qualifications;
  • Demonstrable proficiency in use of MS office suite;
  • Minimum of three years working experience in a computerized environment in Accounting and Finance in a state corporation or semi-autonomous government institution;
  • Honest and of high integrity;
  • Able to meet set deadlines and work long hours with minimal supervision.
Qualified and interested candidates should send their applications by 7th September 2011 to: 

The Executive Director 
Media Council of Kenya 
P.O. Box 43132- 00100 
Nairobi 

E-mail: recruit@mediacouncil.or.ke 

Or hand deliver applications to: 

Media Council of Kenya 
Nairobi Baptist Church Court, 
Unit 3, off Ngong Road 

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