Program Coordinator, Levant

Job Title: Program Coordinator, Levant

Department: Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Job Band: Management II

Salary Range: Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s location and experience, and aligned with CPJ’s international pay practices.

Location: Remote, based in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region or a nearby time zone.

Reports to Title: Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa

Union Represented: No

Submission Instructions: Please submit a letter of interest, résumé, salary requirements, and two professional references.

Application Deadline: 5pm EST (New York time) on October 31, 2025

Organization Overview:  

Founded in 1981, the Committee to Protect Journalists (“CPJ”) is an independent, non-profit organization defending journalists worldwide without regard to their political ideology. Through its work to safeguard journalists, CPJ protects the rights of all people to have access to diverse and independent sources of information. For nearly four decades, CPJ has helped win the early release of imprisoned journalists, secure convictions in journalist murders, and enable positive legal reform in countries where the climate for free expression has deteriorated. Learn more about CPJ’s fight to defend freedom of the press here: http://cpj.org

At CPJ, we are dedicated to upholding values of equity and free expression in both our internal operations and external endeavors. As an organization headquartered in the United States, we aspire to build a diverse workplace and foster an inclusive and welcoming environment. As an international organization, we strive for our people to be representative of the global community on which we report and to equip them with the opportunities and resources they need to learn and succeed.

Job Summary:

The Program Coordinator (PC) for the Levant plays a central operational role in advancing CPJ’s mission in the sub-region. 

The PC is responsible for day-to-day program management in IoPT, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Iraq, team coordination, and the execution of advocacy and journalist support activities. This role reports to the Regional Director, who leads overall regional strategy and external relations.

The PC will ensure smooth operations, track progress on key initiatives, support and guide team members, and proactively pitch and execute new ideas in line with CPJ’s goals. The ideal candidate is a solution-oriented, detail-driven coordinator who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

Fluency in both Arabic and English is required, and candidates must be based in the MENA region or in a nearby time zone. This position is fully remote. 

Key Responsibilities:

Program Management & Execution

• Coordinate the daily work of researchers, fellows, and contributors, ensuring timelines, quality, and accuracy.
• Follow up on deadlines, assignments, and priorities across the IOPT & Levant team.
• Maintain oversight of case tracking, press freedom incidents, and advocacy pipelines.
• Propose and execute new project ideas or advocacy efforts relevant to emerging regional developments.

Team Coordination & Support

• Serve as the primary point of operational contact for the sub-regional team, ensuring work aligns with CPJ’s strategic goals.
• Provide regular feedback and support to team members to ensure high-quality outputs.
• Liaise with People and Culture and the Regional Director on performance reviews, professional development, and recruitment.
• Manage basic day-to-day administrative tasks

Advocacy & Monitoring

• Monitor press freedom developments in the Levant, ensuring timely alerts and public responses.
• Draft advocacy materials, press releases, and briefings in coordination with the regional and global advocacy teams.
• Collaborate on Journalist Assistance (JA) cases by drafting reports and coordinating with the assistance team.

Internal & External Coordination

• Collaborate cross-functionally with CPJ’s global teams (Advocacy, Research, and Assistance).
• Support the Regional Director in implementing broader Levant strategies.
• Represent CPJ at selected events, forums, and with partners, as delegated by the Regional Director.
• Maintain relationships with civil society actors and contribute to coalition work.

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare regular activity reports, updates, and assessments.
• Maintain organized documentation of press freedom violations, team outputs, and advocacy efforts.
• Contribute to annual sub-regional assessments and planning documents.

Profile & Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of experience in a senior journalism, human rights, advocacy, or related field
• Proven ability to manage projects and coordinate cross-functional teams
• Strong writing, editing, and organizational skills
• Fluency in English and Arabic required; French is a plus
• Experience in MENA region required, with deep understanding of IOPT & Levant context
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and handle multiple priorities
• Proficiency in Google Workspace applications is essential
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• High ethical standards and a demonstrated commitment to integrity, confidentiality, and impartiality in all aspects of the work

Working Conditions

• Full-time position (40 hours/week Monday to Friday)
• Remote work arrangement with availability for occasional travel
• Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s location and experience, and aligned with CPJ’s international pay practices.
• Reports directly to the Regional Director, MENA

Benefits:

• Benefits package that complies with local laws and may be supplemented based on the location of the successful candidate
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, and paid holidays)  
• Employee Assistance Program
• Extended remote work flexibility, allowing up to 60 days of remote work annually

Equal Employment Opportunity:

CPJ provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.