Artistic Director - Indigenous Fisher Peoples Network (IFP)

Position: Artistic Director

Reports to: Governance Programme Officer

Time: Part Time (Approx 60 days over three years)

Introduction

Indigenous Fisher Peoples Network (IFP) with support of Minority Rights Group International (MRGI) will from January 2010 implement a 3 year EU funded Investing in People - Access to local culture, protection and promotion of cultural diversity project in Kenya. This project will also be implemented in Botswana, Dominican Republic, and Rwanda.

IFP is an advocacy and capacity building NGO working with indigenous fisher peoples across Kenya. It seeks to empower the indigenous fisher peoples to be able to advocate for their rights in order to address the many years of neglect and marginalisation from mainstream social, political, economic and culture of “modern” society. Our overall goal is to strengthen the capacities of communities and community based organisations to effectively advocate for their rights as indigenous peoples and participate in development and policy processes.

MRGI campaigns worldwide with around 130 partners in over 60 countries to ensure that disadvantaged minorities and indigenous peoples, often the poorest of the poor, can make their voices heard. Through training and education, legal cases, publications and the media, we support minority and indigenous people as they strive to maintain their rights to the land they live on, the languages they speak, to equal opportunities in education and employment, and to full participation in public life.

Project Background

The project’s main goal is to have dominant community members to be more aware of, respectful towards or at least more tolerant of minority & indigenous community members. By the end of the project, it is anticipated that there will be a change in attitudes of dominant community members towards minorities and indigenous peoples. To achieve this, the project will use drama and street theatre to challenge commonly held racist attitudes and negative stereotypes of minorities and indigenous peoples. Some of the results that will be expected during the project cycle include:

1. Racist attitudes challenged by street theatre events;
2. Media coverage of street theatre productions challenges racist attitudes held by many of dominant population; and
3. At least one policy maker who can influence policies on social cohesion whether directly or indirectly in each country makes a positive comment about a street theatre event or the film

General Tasks

The Artistic Director will have the overall responsibility for the management of the drama production process. S/He will report to, and work very closely with the Governance Programme Officer at IFP, who will be in charge of project implementation. S/He will be responsible for major technical decisions on running the street theatre component of the project, after extensive consultations with the Governance Programme Officer.

Specific Tasks

1. Study the proposal and advice on the best theatre approach for implementing the street theatre activities within the prevailing socio-cultural and political environment in Kenya, with specific attention to applicability, suitability and feasibility of the approach
2. Undertake auditions and recruit actors
3. Supervising and evaluating the acting personnel
4. In consultation with the Governance Programme Officer, organise for the training, scripting and rehearsal sessions for the actors
5. Ensure the choice of theme maintains thematic relevance to the project
6. rehearse and oversee the rehearsal process of each production and maintain the quality of performances on acting tours
7. manage and nurture the artistic development of the youth actors amongst the target communities
8. In consultation with the Governance Programme Officer, create timelines for the productions
9. Attend all partners training and meeting sessions
10. Compile process and evaluation reports for each session

Person Description/Selection Criteria

Essential knowledge and skills

1. Recognised expertise in performance practice (including participatory and improvised theatre)
2. Very good understanding of how racism and stereotypes about minority groups exist, are passed on and perpetuated in society.
3. Detailed knowledge of international human rights and minority rights law including economic and social rights, collective and individual rights, standards relating to minority communities and indigenous peoples.
4. Strong personal sense of social justice; ability to communicate this to others
5. Demonstrable knowledge of history and practice of minority and indigenous peoples’ rights in Kenya
6. Knowledge of Kenya’s socio-economic and political environment
7. An ability to exercise artistic leadership
8. Experience of recruiting and training actors
9. knowledge of performance production processes and experience in working as a member of a creative team
10. an understanding of and a willingness to implement collaborative processes
11. demonstrated expertise in artistic programming (eg experience as an Artistic Director)
12. excellent communication skills with artists and with representatives from all the IFP's key stakeholders
13. Demonstrate ability for creative scripting

Application:

If you are interested in being considered for this opportunity, please send your CV and a covering letter setting out your relevant experience and skills, your approach to providing support and specifying a fee per day to [email][email protected] to arrive by 5th February 2010. IFP will then shortlist. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Those candidates who will be shortlisted will be sent the project materials before an interview either over the phone or in person.