Deputy Managing Director & SIRI Lead at WAN-IFRA Women in News: Apply by 5 Jun 2026

The global media industry continues to evolve, with increasing demand for inclusive leadership, ethical journalism, and gender-balanced newsrooms. In response to these challenges, WAN-IFRA Women in News has announced an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Managing Director & SIRI Lead. This remote international role offers experienced professionals the chance to influence media development, advocacy, and gender equality initiatives worldwide.
The position is ideal for candidates with strong expertise in advocacy campaigns, grants management, communications strategy, and organizational leadership within international NGOs or media development organizations.
About WAN-IFRA Women in News
WAN-IFRA Women in News is a global initiative focused on advancing gender equality in the media industry. The organization works across Africa, Southeast Asia, the Arab region, Europe, and other global territories to strengthen newsroom leadership, improve workplace culture, and support women journalists and media executives.
Its programs combine:
- Leadership development
- Advocacy campaigns
- Media research
- Community engagement
- Gender balance initiatives
- Safety and inclusion programs
The newly advertised Deputy Managing Director role plays a critical part in expanding these efforts internationally.
Key Responsibilities of the Deputy Managing Director & SIRI Lead
The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on program oversight. The selected candidate will work closely with the Managing Director to ensure successful implementation of global initiatives.
Strategic Leadership Duties
The Deputy Managing Director will help shape organizational direction and support operational leadership by:
- Assisting with strategic planning
- Supporting program implementation across regions
- Contributing to organizational growth
- Monitoring performance and reporting outcomes
- Coordinating institutional priorities
The role also requires close collaboration with internal leadership teams and international partners.
Leading the Social Impact Reporting Initiative (SIRI)
A major component of the role involves managing the Social Impact Reporting Initiative (SIRI), one of the organization’s flagship programs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing and overseeing grant programs
- Managing outreach and grant calls
- Conducting due diligence and grantee onboarding
- Monitoring project implementation
- Ensuring donor compliance and reporting
- Tracking impact and quality assurance
- Managing accelerator programs and regional initiatives
This responsibility makes the position especially attractive for professionals experienced in international grant management and nonprofit program delivery.
Advocacy and Community Engagement
The Deputy Managing Director will also oversee global advocacy and engagement initiatives designed to strengthen gender equality in media organizations.
Core responsibilities include:
- Managing advocacy campaigns
- Supporting gender balance initiatives
- Expanding global media communities
- Promoting newsroom inclusion
- Developing stakeholder engagement strategies
- Supporting research dissemination
The role requires a candidate capable of building strong relationships across diverse cultural and regional contexts.
Communications and Digital Strategy Oversight
Digital communication is central to modern advocacy work, and this role places significant emphasis on strategic communications leadership.
Responsibilities include oversight of:
- Website content management
- Social media communications
- Newsletters and public campaigns
- Media outreach initiatives
- Program announcements
- Research publications
- Multimedia storytelling
Candidates with experience in digital platforms, CMS systems, and global communications campaigns will have a competitive advantage.
Required Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate should possess significant leadership experience within international nonprofit, media, or advocacy sectors.
Important qualifications include:
- Senior-level leadership experience
- Expertise in grants management
- Advocacy and communications experience
- Strong organizational oversight skills
- Excellent reporting and donor communication abilities
- Experience managing international teams
- Knowledge of gender equality programming
Language proficiency is also essential. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication skills in:
- English
- French
- Arabic
Experience working within Africa, Southeast Asia, or Arab regions is considered highly desirable.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
Several factors make this role particularly appealing for experienced professionals seeking impact-driven international work.
Global Remote Flexibility
The position is fully remote and allows professionals to work from anywhere in the world. This flexibility supports global collaboration while enabling professionals to remain location-independent.
Meaningful Social Impact
The role contributes directly to:
- Gender equality in journalism
- Safer newsroom environments
- Leadership opportunities for women
- Media sustainability
- Inclusive storytelling
Senior Leadership Exposure
The successful candidate will operate within a high-level leadership environment while influencing global organizational strategy and advocacy initiatives.
Application Details
Interested candidates must apply before the official deadline.
Important Information
- Position Type: Contract/Freelance
- Contract Duration: 12 months
- Start Date: June 2026
- Application Deadline: June 5, 2026
- Location: Remote Worldwide
Applicants are encouraged to submit documents using the required naming format specified by the organization.
Final Thoughts
The Deputy Managing Director & SIRI Lead opportunity at WAN-IFRA Women in News represents a major career opportunity for professionals passionate about media development, advocacy, and gender equality. With international exposure, strategic leadership responsibilities, and meaningful social impact, the role offers a unique platform to influence the future of inclusive journalism worldwide.
Professionals with expertise in nonprofit leadership, communications strategy, and global program management are likely to find this position both professionally rewarding and socially impactful.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.



