Application Guide

How to Apply for Deputy Managing Director & SIRI Lead

at WAN-IFRA

🏢 About WAN-IFRA

WAN-IFRA's Women in News (WIN) programme is a globally recognized initiative dedicated to advancing gender equality in media, operating across Africa, the Arab Region, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that combines advocacy, research, and leadership development to create tangible change in media landscapes worldwide.

About This Role

This role is pivotal in leading WIN's strategic and operational efforts, particularly the Social Impact Reporting Initiative (SIRI), which drives accountability and impact in gender equality programming. As Deputy Managing Director & SIRI Lead, you will oversee advocacy campaigns, digital communications, and community engagement, directly influencing how media organizations address gender disparities.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the SIRI team in Southeast Asia, followed by reviewing grantee reports and compliance documents. Midday, you could lead a strategy call on an advocacy campaign in the Arab region, then spend the afternoon drafting a donor update or preparing for a board presentation. The role requires balancing strategic planning with hands-on oversight, all while coordinating across multiple time zones.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who WAN-IFRA Is Looking For

  • A senior leader with 10+ years in international NGO, media development, or gender equality roles, demonstrating strategic vision and operational excellence.
  • Proven end-to-end grants management experience, from program design and grantee selection to compliance, monitoring, and reporting, ideally in a global context.
  • Trilingual proficiency in English, French, and Arabic, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders across regions.
  • Deep expertise in gender equality and inclusion programming, with a track record of leading advocacy campaigns and digital communications that drive measurable impact.

📝 Tips for Applying to WAN-IFRA

1

Highlight your specific experience with grants management end-to-end, including examples of how you ensured compliance and monitored impact across multiple grantees.

2

Emphasize your trilingual skills by providing examples of how you've used English, French, and Arabic in professional settings, especially in cross-cultural communication.

3

Tailor your resume to show leadership in advocacy campaigns and digital communications, quantifying results where possible (e.g., reach, engagement, policy changes).

4

Research WAN-IFRA's current SIRI projects and mention how your experience aligns with their specific goals and challenges in your cover letter.

5

Prepare a succinct narrative about how you've advanced gender equality in media, linking your past work to WIN's mission and regional focus areas.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your strategic leadership experience in driving gender equality programs within media or international development contexts.', 'Your hands-on expertise in managing complex grants portfolios, including compliance and reporting for diverse funders.', 'Your ability to lead advocacy and communications efforts that resonate across multiple regions and languages.', "Your personal commitment to gender equality and how it aligns with WIN's vision and the SIRI initiative."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review WAN-IFRA's Women in News program reports and case studies to understand their current projects and impact metrics.
  • → Study the Social Impact Reporting Initiative (SIRI) framework and its previous outcomes to identify areas for improvement or expansion.
  • → Read recent WAN-IFRA publications and press releases on gender equality in media to stay updated on their advocacy priorities.
  • → Explore the backgrounds of key team members, especially the Managing Director, to understand leadership style and collaboration expectations.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design and oversee a grants management process for SIRI, ensuring both impact and donor compliance?
2 Describe a time you led an advocacy campaign that changed media practices or policies related to gender equality.
3 How do you approach community engagement across diverse cultural and linguistic contexts, particularly in Africa and the Arab region?
4 What metrics would you use to measure the success of the SIRI program, and how would you report on them to stakeholders?
5 How would you balance strategic leadership with day-to-day operational demands in a remote, multi-regional team?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't specifically address the trilingual requirement or the SIRI leadership aspect.
  • Overlooking the remote, global nature of the role; failing to demonstrate experience managing teams across time zones and cultures.
  • Focusing only on advocacy or communications without showing strong grants management and compliance expertise.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to WAN-IFRA!

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