APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES APPOINTMENT BRIEF OCTOBER 2019

AN INTRODUCTION

• Our work takes us to more than 30 countries a year – often in challenging media regimes.

• We help thousands of journalists and communicators each year through in-country training programmes and e-Learning.

• We manage a network of more than 200 media professionals, with cutting-edge skills, who are keen to share their knowledge.

• We work with media, governments, civil society, and commercial organisations wishing to sponsor excellence in communications.

Media training Skills-intensive training remains at the heart of what we do. Our trainers, all with impressive journalistic credentials, focus on developing journalists' practical skills. The emphasis is on hands-on training, reporting on real stories and tackling technical challenges. Media consultancy We provide professional expertise and advice in all aspects of media business for media organisations, governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Our consultancy team includes those with direct experience in world-leading media organisations and specialist knowledge of handling the challenges of the constantly-changing media landscape.

We bring our expertise to work with media start-ups, and helping existing news organisations update their strategies and skills to create sustainable businesses.

Media development Thomson Foundation is a media development pioneer providing high-calibre training for media and public communication practitioners globally.

We work with every type of media to strive for excellence and improve engagement with their audiences.

We believe that journalists and the media play a vital role in open societies, holding governments and commercial entities to account in the public interest.

Mass communication, and the free-flow of accurate information through the media, helps to promote social and economic development.

Impact programmes We work with media and non-governmental organisations over a long period, helping to demonstrate how the power of inquiring, balanced and fair journalism can achieve positive social change.

Promoting journalism excellence We work with journalists to train them through intensive skills workshops and courses, mentoring schemes and conferences.

Telling the human stories. We put people at the heart of story-telling as a way of teaching how to engage audiences on any platform - from print and broadcast to the latest platforms using mobile journalism and social media.

Ethical standards. Promoting ethical standards within journalism is at the heart of everything we do, countering issues such as hate speech and online abuse. Through our training and conferences, we have been instrumental in raising standards and in creating press councils and mentoring media regulators.

Coverage of diversity and gender issues. We run workshops, discussion groups and conferences to encourage inclusive and objective coverage of issues such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex and women’s rights.

Election coverage. We work to encourage journalists to be balanced and accurate in their reporting, reflecting the needs of the people and calling politicians to account.

Investigative reporting. We support and train journalists in their work exposing corruption and abuses of power.

Civil society and the media We work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help develop media advocacy skills and understand how to engage with journalists across the full range of media. We are passionate about ensuring that all those with a voice in contemporary media have a clear understanding of how to engage ethically and skilfully.

Making it work The Thomson Foundation’s mission is to support the development of quality journalism and accessible media to all corners of the world. In doing this we work with partners who have similar aims, including international donors, governments and public bodies.

Berlin beginnings After two years of careful planning, 2018 saw the opening of Thomson Media gGmbH, the German partner of the London-based Thomson Foundation.

The launch means the Thomson group now also has a home in another of the world’s most exciting digital landscapes from which to help strengthen media skills worldwide.

It has rapidly become a base for securing, and funding, multi-year programmes to support media across Eastern Europe and Africa, supported by the European Union and German funders.

e-Learning: equipping the modern journalist Thomson Foundation's Journalism Now programme is a series of online interactive courses designed and led by industry experts, providing the latest in digital and multimedia skills. All the courses are accredited as Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The platform provides a global learning environment with exclusive access to live, online training and mentoring sessions, run by leading journalists, within a unique knowledge-sharing community.

• 8,000 + registered users • 19 interactive courses so far • Access to 50 experts • 106 CPD hours

THE ROLE A board of trustees oversees and guides our work. Its current and past members include world-renowned journalists, politicians and distinguished individuals with backgrounds in communications, education and other relevant disciplines.

The Thomson Foundation is now looking to add to its board with the appointment of a number of new Trustees. Energised by the prospect of guiding the Foundation, candidates will bring an enquiring and strategic mindset to what is an unanimously supportive and forward-thinking board. We are an inclusive employer and there is a strong desire to increase the diversity on the Board.

From its London base, the Foundation is partly supported by an endowment which enables it to invest in its mission, as well as seeking funding from third parties. The trustees have oversight of the endowment as well as the mission.

PERSON SPECIFICATION • Experience in one of the following areas:

o digital media/e-learning, ideally bringing a digital native mindset and insights in how to grow a sustainable digital business in an increasingly competitive environment;

o government, both with central UK government departments and also with European bodies including the EU and UN; and

o philanthropic funding landscape, in order to help the Thomson Foundation broaden its funding partners.

• Comfortable operating in a risk-positive and boundary-pushing organisation;

• Excellent communication, influencing and active listening skills, including the ability to quickly establish relationships with fellow board members and other senior stakeholders as part of a consensual, collegiate culture;

• A strategic thinker who is highly commercial and intellectually able; • A team player with an enquiring mind; • An understanding of good governance, its application in a range of different

contexts, and specifically how to foster collaborative working, constructive challenge and consensus decision making; and

• A strong and genuine interest in and commitment to the Foundation.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT Trustees are appointed for a four-year, renewable term.

The time commitment will be likely no more than a day per month. The Board

meets quarterly, and it is anticipated that Trustees will wish to engage in the

broader activities of the Foundation, including mentoring, offering advice, and

attending its two to three key annual functions.

The role is unremunerated, although reasonable expenses will be paid.

Candidates must be free from conflict.

HOW TO APPLY Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Thomson Foundation on these appointments. Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments, using code QTFC. Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter. The closing date for applications is noon on Thursday 7 November 2019. GDPR personal data notice According to GDPR guidelines, we are only able to process your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetic data, biometric data, health, sex life, or sexual orientation) with your express consent. You will be asked to complete a consent form when you apply and please do not include any Sensitive Personal Data within your CV (although this can be included in your covering letter if you wish to do so), remembering also not to include contact details for referees without their prior agreement. The equal opportunities monitoring online form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your application. Please complete as part of the application process.