Be a Fellow and Stringer for AYV Sierra Leone Decides 2023 elections.

AYV is pleased to invite applications (13 January to 15 February 2023) for the AYV media fellowship & stringers on election reporting Placement Programme, commencing in February 2023.

The AYV Sierra Leone Decides 2023 elections fellowship and stringers on election reporting is back and we’re expanding the program to include people from across the world. AYV is seeking reliable people to work as “election stringers/fellows”.

AYV is offering a series of intensive training sessions on reporting elections, democracy, and human rights as well as mentorship and support for innovative and impactful election-related in-depth stories/series of stories to fellows and stringers.

The AYV Media Fellows/stringers on Election Reporting seeks to equip people from all walks of life including independent news outlets and freelancers in empowering the electorate through crucial reporting of underrepresented voices and underreported issues during elections. This program expands the pilot AYV Media Fellowship/stringers on Election Reporting which was launched in 2017.

AYV believes that the media play important roles during elections in helping the electorate make informed decisions and in monitoring elections against irregularities and other attempts to undermine democratic processes. This fellowship will reinforce and strengthen the important roles that the media play in ensuring free and fair elections in Sierra Leone.

Eligibility

• There is no specific requirement for this role (both journalist and non- journalist) can apply.
• Demonstrable interest in journalism or in reporting elections, politics, and/or democracy and human rights issues.
• People from universities, local communities and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Requirements and Role Responsibility

• Application statement which expresses your interest in the program and demonstrates your interest and background.
• Resume with contact information of at least two-character references.
• As available fellow/stringer positions are limited, AYV also invites applicants to present how they plan to share what they will learn from the program with their organisation and/or peers.
• Successful applicants will complete a five-and-a-half-month placement at the AYV.
• Waiver from your university or work to engage in the fellowship, if applicable Fellows/Stringers report to an assigned area, call in any early vote totals to AYV that are available and commit to staying as late as it takes to call in the final vote totals from their assigned location.
• Fellows/stringers must agree to refrain from discussing politics while on assignment as fellows/stringers working for AYV.
• AYV will give you the chance to experience life at the AYV, including what it is like working with leading journalists.
• Fellows/stringers do not need any journalism skills before they start but you must be interested and able to demonstrate that interest.
• Fellow/Stringers must be over 18, and, to get the most out of your time here you should be available to attend everyday Monday-Sunday for the dates stated. The scheme takes place at AYV media Centre in Freetown. We want you to have a great experience with us, so from day one you will get to experience working life on our programmes, and how our journalists contribute and develop ideas, as well as how they work different parts of the country.

Support Offered by AYV to Successful Applicants

• Training on fundamental election concepts and reporting techniques (training sessions will be conducted online).
• Mentorship on election reporting. Fellows/stringers will have a mentor during your work experience, and we will do our best to make it interesting and productive for you.
• Financial and editorial support to produce stories/series of stories on election-related issues.
• Being an AYV fellow/ stringer looks good on your resume, it’s fun and it provides a chance to see democracy and voting up close.
• AYV provide training in radio, TV, and digital journalism.
• Fellows/stringers will meet a whole range of people from reporters, producers, editors, presenters, camera operators to online and social media journalists. Fellows/Stringers will come out with a good idea of the wide-ranging journalism that goes on at the AYV.
• A chance to be part of the AYV Talent Academy as a mentee or mentor, depending on level of interest.

To apply 

Applications will open at 10:00 am SL time on 14 January and will close at 17:00 SL time on 15 February 2023.

To apply, you must complete the AYV media fellows & stringers on election reporting Placement Programme Application form. AND submit the following to nca@ayvnews.com

• An up-to-date CV.
• Letter from your university or community or current employment that confirms your suitability to participate in the programme.
• A copy of your passport date page or ID card.
• A complete AYV media fellows & stringers on election reporting Placement Programme Application form

Should applicants be successful in the first round of applications, they will be invited to interview with AYV.

Please note that successful applicants are expected to honour their commitment to AYV. AYV will not offer any professional placement to anyone beyond the terms of their agreement with AYV, unless otherwise agreed by parties.

For more questions or clarifications about the program and the application process, please contact AYV NCA team via email at: nca@ayvnews.com ; via mobile at: +232-90-075-300

Deadline: 15 February 2023

ABOUT AYV Media Empire

We are a one-stop media house providing a cutting-edge communication solution across the world. We have tv channels, radio, newspaper, printing press etc. We also broadcast on DStv Ch. 399 in Sierra Leone and across Africa.

AYV International is headquartered in London, United Kingdom with networks across the world including in Africa, Asia, Europe, Pacific, the Americas, and Caribbean.

AYV has established a strategic partnership with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the world service programme in London. This partnership offers both AYV and the BBC a world-class broadcasting platform and resources for our audiences.

The AYV’s reputation and the strength of its brand in Sierra Leone and around the world are based upon its fundamental values of editorial integrity, independence, and impartiality. These values are central both to the AYV’s Public Services and our Commercial Services. Audiences everywhere must be able to trust the AYV. To achieve that, our impartiality, editorial integrity, and independence must not be compromised by outside interests and arrangements. We must maintain independent editorial control over our content.

The AYV fellowship and stringers Programme has enabled the best and the brightest people to contribute to election process and build their skills and experience.

Please click the link below to download the application form:

AYV Engagement Application Form