Centre for Internet & Society

The Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) is seeking applications for the position of Programme Associate (Communications), to support its Access to Knowledge (CIS-A2K) Programme. In keeping with efforts within the larger Wikimedia movement in encouraging an inclusive workplace and addressing issues of gender disparity This position is presently open only to applicants who identify as women.

Context of the CIS-A2K programme

As an affiliate of the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit behind Wikipedia and it’s sister projects, we design and implement different initiatives with an aim to create high-quality content and bring new contributors to Wikimedia projects in Indian languages. The initiatives are premised on various themes and seek to create a multilingual repository of knowledge using Wikimedia projects as a platform. You are encouraged to carefully read through the CIS-A2K work plan before making the application. You will work cohesively with the Wikimedia community and the Wikimedia India communities to meet the specific goals of each language community in India. You will be a part of a small team of 5 to 10 members doing high visibility and high impact work. Please learn more about CIS-A2K here.

Position Summary

As Programme Associate, your job will be to support the Team’s larger goals -- growth of Indian language Wikipedias, other Wikimedia projects and the contributor communities. Your primary responsibility will be to support the Programme Associates -- that spearhead our on-ground programmatic activities -- with regular communication with the community and the outside world.

 

Responsibilities

  • Storytelling and all other forms of  of communication-related responsibilities  are two major focus areas of this job. You will explore  conventional to new media to share the stories of the many of volunteers that make Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects such great knowledge repositories
  • Creating original stories of challenges and success of the Indian language Wikimedia communities, including the ones  that we closely work with Being the interface between A2K team and the community and lead different kinds of communications activities
  • Sharing the work of the community and A2k team in a regular manner  through print media, newsletters, social media, mailing list updates, blog posts etc., including timely announcement of programme activities on these platforms 
  • Providing training on effective communications to the communities on a need basis and enabling them to independently tell their own stories in their own languages
  • Support with writing, review and editing of the annual work plan and reports of the programme
  • Interviewing Wikimedians under the ambit of the WikipediansSpeak project and beyond, and share the story of the Wikimedia community widely in the media
 

Required skills

  • Good communication skill in writing and speaking, which will be required for correspondence, blog, report etc writing
  • Experience of blog post, report etc writing
  • Prior experience of working in a collaborative community, preferably online.
  • Strong understanding of the internet and work of the Wikimedia movement.
  • Active participation as a Wikimedia volunteer would be an asset, though not a prerequisite. Demonstrated experience working in a global, multi-cultural team environment.
  • Must be fluent in English and at least one Indian language.
  • A good understanding of the cultural and knowledge universe of one  Indian language will be an added advantage.
  • Ability to integrate with and understand the complexity of the Indian Wikimedia community.
  • Prior experience/ knowledge in working with social media for professional communication would be an added advantage.
  • Prior experience/knowledge in liasioning with conventional print/broadcast media would be an added advantage.

 

Characteristics of the Programme Associate

  • High level of commitment: The Programme Associate should believe in the values of CIS and Wikimedia projects, exude enthusiasm for the mission and can powerfully embody and communicate the mission.
  • Intellectual curiosity and flexibility: Must enjoy tackling difficult, ambiguous problems and able to incorporate new knowledge into how one approaches situations and generates solutions, loves learning from others while expanding intellectual horizons.
  • Open and transparent: Have a high level of integrity and be comfortable working in a highly transparent fashion, open to input and feedback, a proactive and candid communicator who  isn't afraid to bring others in when things are off-track or when they need help and should be able to handle criticism in a mature fashion.
  • Community builder: It is essential that the Programme Associate sees themself  as a partner to and supporter of the Wikimedians who have and will continue to be the leaders in building the Wikimedia projects. The Programme Associate must be willing and able to work with a diverse array of people, many of whom come from non-traditional backgrounds and have a fervent commitment to Wikimedia movement’s community-led nature.
  • Strong cultural competency: Able to navigate in a global movement and on a global team in addition to navigating the complexity of India.



Location: Candidate willing to work from CIS’s Bangalore office will be preferred. Remote working option may be considered for experienced Wikimedians

Remuneration: Compensation structure will be determined by the level of expertise, experience and current remuneration.

Do not send anymore application now. the last date is over
To apply, please send your resume to Tito Dutta ([email protected]) and cover letter by 21 May 2020 (applications must be submitted with cover later before 21 May 11:59:00 IST, please ensure to apply through email only).