Terms of reference – COP26 Climate Summit Broadcasting Coordinator

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Project overview

Since its launch in 2007, the Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) has brought more than 350 journalists from developing countries to attend and report on the annual UN climate talks. This has enabled journalists from around the world to cover the climate negotiations for their home audiences, while benefiting from working alongside knowledgeable climate journalists and gaining a multifaceted understanding of the actions that countries are taking—or not taking—to address climate change's global impact.

The 2021 program of CCMP Reporting Fellowships, led this year by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) in partnership with the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, will support a cohort of ~26 journalists interested in covering the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to attend and report on the proceedings, scheduled to take place in the city of Glasgow, UK from October 31 to November 12, 2021. Hosted by the United Kingdom, in partnership with Italy, COP26 was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is currently planned to take place as an in-person conference in November.

COP26 is likely to be one of the most significant climate change summits to date, as it is the first to take place after the landmark Paris Agreement’s measures have taken effect and follows both the recent release of the IPCC 6th Assessment Report as well as the emergence of the globally disruptive COVID-19 pandemic, amongst other factors. However, despite its importance, this event will be the most challenging to date for international journalists to attend in person, particularly those from low- and middle-income countries. In response to this, the CCMP intends to expand its suite of activities around this years’ conference beyond the in-person fellowships, to support journalists reporting on the COP26 remotely, which may include webinars, daily broadcast briefings, and other activities.

Broadcasting Coordinator role purpose and objectives

The CCMP is seeking a Broadcasting Coordinator, ideally based in the UK, to attend the COP26 conference in-person with the team and coordinate a suite of virtual programming activities to support the reporting of journalists based remotely. CCMP will provide accommodation and transport to and from the conference and reimburse for meals and other transport expenses acquired in transit, including COVID-19 testing as required. We will also provide a stipend of GBP 2,000. Candidates from other “green list” countries will also be considered, preferably based nearby (e.g., Europe).

The role will include:

  • Travel to the COP26 conference in Glasgow, arriving on November 4th and departing on November 14th, 2021;
  • Closely following the conference proceedings and providing a daily virtual briefing to support remotely-based journalists with their reporting. This is likely to include:

    • Choosing daily topics and events as the focus for each day’s broadcast;
    • Arranging guest speakers and experts, including many of the other 26+ CCMP participants, to take part in the daily briefings;
    • Producing the daily video briefings, which we envision as lasting for at least an hour and being broadcast via Zoom or a similar platform to journalists working remotely;
    • Either moderating the briefings or arranging for other moderators from among the CCMP participants.
  • Supporting broadcaster CCMP Fellows with their reporting during the conference;
  • Participate in CCMP’s activities, including the orientation workshop and daily breakfast briefings;
  • Supporting other virtual activities such as webinars as needed.

The desired candidate will be an experienced journalist and will have:

  • Strong experience in climate reporting – preferably as a journalist -- and a good understanding of contemporary global climate change issues
  • Previous experience in reporting from UNFCCC COP’s (desirable)
  • Experience in broadcasting and delivering webinars
  • Been fully vaccinated / immunized for Covid-19 by the start of the summit

Application guidelines and requirements

Interested parties should apply via the link below.

Applications should include the following documentation:

  • A short cover note
  • A brief CV (1-2 pages)

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the advertisement closed once a suitable candidate has been found – applicants are therefore advised to submit their interest as early as possible.

Please contact cdebenham@internews.eu for more information on this position.

This vacancy is archived.

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