WIN is a leadership development programme which aims to contribute to the advancement and empowerment of women in African media, simultaneously enhancing and promoting the development of financially viable and editorially strong media enterprises in emerging markets on the continent.

WIN equips women media professionals in middle management positions with the strategies, skills and support networks necessary to advance in their careers to levels of upper management.

These include, but are not exclusive to, professional development and networking events held both in the participating countries’ national capitals and in Johannesburg, South Africa; one-on-one coaching sessions with professional and experienced international coaches, working with participants to build a personal and realistic roadmap of the their career aspirations; and skills development and training modules focusing on such areas as management techniques, communication strategies, CV building, financial planning and other topics of interest, as defined by the participants.

More information on the WIN programme and WAN-IFRA can be found online at www.womeninnews.org.

Who can apply? 

WIN is open to women working for a minimum of two years in middle management positions for newspapers in Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. Successful applicants will already have a certain degree of responsibility in their current positions, have room for growth and aspire to progress within the newspaper industry. The programme will welcome women from all departments of media houses in each of the three countries (i.e. editorial departments, as well as administration, human resources, accounting, marketing, etc.). 15 women will be selected to participate in 2011, divided equally among the three participating countries.

Applications from women not employed by a newspaper (e.g. those working freelance or for PR firms) will be considered secondary to applicants meeting the outlined requirements. Applications are considered on an individual basis and employment in line with the above-listed criteria does not guarantee admission to the WIN programme. Applications will not be accepted from those working in radio or television at this time.

How to apply 

Interested applicants should submit a completed Application form, outlining their motivation for applying to the programme and how they could benefit from WIN to Catharine Fulton, WIN’s Project Manager, at cafulton@womeninnews.org.

Selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as well as submit an MOU completed and signed by their direct supervisor, consenting to their employees participation in WIN throughout 2011, including approximately 15 days out of the office for attendance at WIN events.

The Application form and MOU templates can be found online under the “Apply” heading on www.womeninnews.org or can be requested via e-mail from Catharine Fulton.

Deadline: Completed Application forms must be received no later than 21 February 2011.