How To Apply For AMWIK's Top Job After Judie Kaberia Exit

The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) has announced that it is looking for a candidate to fill the position of Executive Director, a day after the exit of former Capital FM editor, Judie Kaberia.

In a job advert seen by Viral Tea, AMWIK revealed that the qualified candidate is expected to take up the coveted role, which is on a full-time basis and based in Nairobi.

Among the aspects it is looking for is a visionary with great leadership skills to drive the association which was established over 40 years ago.

AMWIK is a national media association established in 1982 by a group of women journalists before the United Nations (UN) women’s conference held in Nairobi in 1985, at a time when the voices of women and their issues received little attention in the media.

Members of AMWIK during a past event. /AMWIK

"The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) seeks to appoint an Executive Director (ED) who is visionary with exceptional leadership and management skills to drive the association forward building on the gains of over 40 years since its inception. This is a performance-based leadership position responsible for guiding AMWIK’s strategic vision through managing internal and external processes to achieve her mission for, which she was intended.

"Reporting to the Board of Trustees (BoTs), the ED leads in living the vision, provides leadership, leads in resource mobilization and guiding the overall direction of the programme activities, management and administrative functions of AMWIK. This is a full-time position based in the association’s office in Nairobi," read the advert in part.

The association is registered under the Societies Act as a non-profit association and its membership comprises female employees of various media houses, public relations professionals, independent content producers, students of journalism and communication; employees of non-governmental organizations and other institutions who have an education background in communication.

It brings together over 300 women in media who use their professional skills to give visibility to women’s concerns and its members are drawn from different parts of Kenya and work with other media associations, and communities and collaborate with like-minded networks across Kenya.

AMWIK uses media to embrace gender equity making it possible to improve the lives of women and children by enabling them to enjoy their human rights.

Job Description

1. Support the Board of Trustees (BoT) and Board Committees (BC) in achieving the goals set for each strategic plan and period while sustaining the strategic direction of AMWIK. This ensures the review of and development of key documents including, strategic plans, policies and fundraising strategies, preparation of annual budgets for approval of the BoTs while also leading the Secretariat to prepare the annual reports, their reviews and board reports whenever required. In addition, keep the BoTs informed on the operations of the association and the work of BC.
2. Provide oversight and accountability for planning, programme design and delivery of objectives, strategies, plans and budgets in compliance with AMWIK’s contractual obligations with funders while aligning with the AMWIK’s policies and procedures.
3. Ensure the delivery of agreed outputs of the programmes in accordance with the established budgets and BoTs-approved plans. 
4. Monitor the expenditures of the association in accordance with BoTs approved plans and policies, maintaining accountability for financial probity and risk management (including financial risk, risk to staff, reputational risk etc).
5. Provide day-to-day supervision and mentoring/coaching of staff.
6. Manage the relationship with current and prospective funders including oversight of reporting to donors.
7. Raise the profile of AMWIK and enhance its corporate image among various stakeholders in the region and at the international level.
8. Support the membership of AMWIK in playing their role towards realization of the objectives of AMWIK;
9. Undertake any other responsibilities as may be assigned by the board.

Requirements and Qualifications

1. A minimum of 5 years’ organisational management experience, evidenced by previous positions involving administration and direct supervision of staff, ideally in associations or networks comparable to AMWIK.
2. Evidence of extensive fundraising and track record in fundraising and reporting to donors.
3. Comprehensive knowledge of the thematic areas that the organisation operates in.
4. Experience in working with media
5. Demonstrated experience in strategic, programme planning and provision of technical support to team members.
6. Demonstrated experience and capability as a leader who can influence the direction of AMWIK’s impact within the region, including identification and accessing the most effective channels for advocacy and maintaining an active network of contacts in governments, NGOs, donors and the media nationally, regionally and internationally.
7. A Master’s degree in media, communication, gender or any relevant social science

Skills Required

1. Ability to work with AMWIK members given that it’s a membership association.
2. Strong ability to lead media and women’s rights advocacy.
3. Proven ability to interpret budgets, financial statements and the ability to use this information to contribute to strategic decision-making.
4. Evidence of fundraising, donor liaison and management.
5. Demonstrable ability for excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Interested candidates are encouraged to send their CV and cover letter with contact details of three contactable referees, which must include their current salary, expected salary and current employer to board@amwik.org by Friday, September 16, 2022.

AMWIK added that short-listed candidates will be contacted and that it reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Former AMWIK executive director, Judie Kaberia. /FILE