Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and mission-driven professional to join our team as Program Director for South Asia. This full-time leadership role will drive MDIF’s regional strategy to support and invest in independent media, ensuring they thrive in complex and rapidly changing environments.
You will shape and execute MDIF’s programmatic approach in the region, with a focus on building a robust pipeline of investable media enterprises and delivering high-impact support programs.
This role combines strategic oversight, client engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder outreach - ideal for a media leader with entrepreneurial instincts and deep regional insight.
Job Location
Anywhere in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka)
Key Responsibilities
- Shape and lead MDIF’s regional strategy, ensuring it aligns with the unique media, political, and economic realities of the region.
- Collaborate closely with MDIF’s Investment Committee (IC) to evaluate mission alignment and with regional investment team to evaluate business viability.
- Develop and manage the investment pipeline, identifying and evaluating promising candidates for loan and equity investment.
- Lead monitoring of the mission-related aspects of MDIF clients’ work in the region.
- Serve as the primary non-financial liaison for regional clients and candidates, managing all non-financial elements of the investment process in collaboration with other MDIF teams.
- Provide strategic advice to clients within the areas of Program Director’s media management expertise.
- Initiate and manage special media programs in South Asia in close collaboration with MDIF’s regional and global teams.
- Lead fundraising efforts with local funders and media investors, establish and maintain good relationships with existing funders and investors through regular reports and updates on programs.
- Provide strategic oversight and leadership for existing regional programs, and contribute to the design and launch of future special media programs aimed at strengthening the investment pipeline and deepening MDIF’s regional engagement.
- Prepare materials for internal approval processes, including programmatic assessments of candidates, mission alignment evaluations, and – together with MDIF’s investment team – business viability analyses.
- Research and prepare materials for country updates and approvals by MDIF Board of Directors.
- Coordinate technical assistance for MDIF clients and candidates in the region in close collaboration with MDIF Media Advisory Services (MAS) team; help identify needs and challenges of specific candidates, clients and cohorts of similarly situated clients.
- Provide strategic advice to clients within the areas of Program Director’s media management expertise.
- On a case-by-case basis, serve as MDIF’s representative on investees Boards of Directors.
- Network, build relationships, and drive partnerships with other media support organizations in South Asia, and represent MDIF at events.
Requirements
- Proven experience in management of a news organization and in journalism. Additional experience in finance and/or media support is a plus.
- Experience in product management, media support, civil society, or impact investment is advantageous.
- Strong understanding of the media environment in South Asia, and an interest in deepening that knowledge further.
- Experience working across multiple countries in South Asia is preferred. Existing contacts within the media sector and with media support stakeholders in the region are an advantage.
- Degree in media, journalism, management, business or a related field is preferred. A graduate qualification is an advantage.
- Fluency in spoken and written English; proficiency of one or more of the South Asian languages is advantageous.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work both independently and as a part of an international, distributed team.
- Strong and demonstrated inter-personal skills, sound judgment, ability to work with a diverse mix of people.
- The Program Director shall be based in South Asia, in a location of their choosing, that allows for regular communication with clients and stakeholders in the region, including the ability for frequent regional, as well as occasional global, travel.
- A passion for and deep commitment to press freedom and democratic values.
About MDIF
MDIF invests in independent media around the world that provide the news, information and debate that people need to build free and thriving societies. We offer affordable debt and equity financing, supported by tailored technical assistance and advisory services, to help independent media thrive and safeguard their editorial independence. Our clients are companies who continue to hold the powerful to account, protect the rights of the individual and provide a platform for debate.
MDIF is an equal opportunity employer.
Reports to
Chief Program Officer
To apply
Submit a CV/resume together with a cover letter (in English) which clearly sets out your qualifications and suitability for the role by June 20, 2025