Position: Project Assistant

Project Title: Memorialiberia: Illuminating Paths to Healing and Justice through Diverse Memorialization

Location: Liberia

Implementing Agency: Talking Drum Studio: Liberia Peace Center (TDS Liberia)

Donor: Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF)

Duration: Two years, beginning in October 2024

Organization profile

Founded in 2019, Talking Drum Studio: Liberia Peace Center (TDS Liberia) is a national civil society organization dedicated to igniting shared values in finding solutions to the most critical issues affecting Liberian society. TDS Liberia’s work is focused on four thematic areas: Strategic Communication and Community Mobilization, Governance and Democracy, Human Rights and Transitional Justice, and Natural Resource Governance and Land Management. Additional cross-cutting themes integrated into all of TDS Liberia’s work include women and youth empowerment, peacebuilding, institutional capacity building, and learning and research. TDS Liberia also has the capacity to work outside of Liberia and across the region. We maintain a strong network and partnership with TDS Sierra Leone and Guinea.

TDS Liberia is implementing a two-year project titled Memorialiberia: Illuminating Paths to Healing and Justice through Diverse Memorialization, funded by the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF). The goal of this project is to enhance historical dialogue and societal healing by promoting diverse approaches to memorialization across Liberian communities.

With this project, TDS Liberia aims to support the ongoing development of effective and culturally sensitive memorialization initiatives, promote public awareness of memory, rights, and justice by developing and implementing educational initiatives, and create an action plan for implementing reparations and memorialization recommendations. TDS Liberia will carry out well-defined activities such as advocacy, trainings, media programs, and media-related forums to establish a learning corner at the Unification Memorial Square.

Job Purpose

The Project Assistant will support the Memorialiberia Project by coordinating activities, managing project documentation, and ensuring efficient communication between project stakeholders. This role is crucial for maintaining project timelines, fostering smooth operational workflows, and supporting the team’s efforts to achieve project objectives in promoting transitional justice, societal healing, and memorialization across Liberia.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Coordination and Support

• Assist in planning and organizing project activities, including community radio broadcasts, training sessions, screenings, and exhibitions.
• Coordinate with radio stations, journalists, educators, and other stakeholders to ensure active participation in project initiatives.
• Support the logistics and scheduling for twelve video documentary screenings and interactive dialogues at memorial sites across Liberia.

2. Data and Documentation Management

• Maintain organized records of project documents, reports, and meeting minutes, ensuring accessibility and alignment with project goals.
• Track project milestones, budget allocations, and timelines, helping to identify potential delays or challenges.
• Compile and manage project data related to training sessions, community feedback, and exhibition attendance for reporting and evaluation purposes.

3. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a liaison between project management, community radio stations, and journalists, fostering clear communication and coordination.
• Support outreach efforts by handling inquiries, scheduling calls, and sharing project updates with stakeholders.
• Assist in the dissemination of project outputs, including YouTube and Tamma TV uploads, ensuring wide reach and impact.

4. Event and Training Support

• Coordinate logistics for annual training sessions with program managers and journalists on reparations and memorialization concepts.
• Assist with the organization of public screenings, roundtable discussions, and museum exhibitions, ensuring that materials, speakers, and resources are prepared and available.
• Support the planning and setup of exhibitions at the Museum and Unification Square, and coordinate discussions at strategic locations across Liberia.

5. Financial and Budget Tracking

• Track expenses related to project activities, including travel, media production, and venue costs, ensuring compliance with the allocated budget.
• Prepare and submit expense reports, invoices, and purchasing requests, working closely with the finance team to ensure accurate financial records.

6. Monitoring and Reporting

• Regularly update the project manager on progress toward project objectives, assisting in the preparation of quarterly and final project reports.
• Gather feedback from community members, educators, and stakeholders, compiling insights for evaluation and improvement of project initiatives.
• Assist in developing an action plan for implementing reparations and memorialization recommendations by coordinating discussions and consolidating input from strategic locations.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field.
• Experience in project coordination or a similar role, ideally within transitional justice or community development.
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and time-management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, particularly in liaising with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

All qualified and interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and CV, including three referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer/line manager, along with a copy of your educational qualifications. Applications should be submitted by email to: talkingdrumstudio@tds-liberia.org and gbarchue.tds@gmail.com with the position title in the subject line.

DEADLINE: November 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Well-qualified candidates, particularly females, are encouraged to apply!