U.S. Embassy Dushanbe is soliciting statements of interest from newspapers published in Tajikistan to host a resident trainer to help improve the professional reporting skills and increase circulation.

The Embassy will fund an American print media trainer who will spend a total of 3 months (over a 6 month period) with one print outlet with the purpose to improve reporting standards, news room operations, and business management of the newspaper through marketing and advertising. The expert is expected to work closely on daily basis with reporters of the newspaper, editors and business managers. The training is offered in English with Tajik and/or Russian interpretation, as needed. Strong commitment from the newspaper’s management to the program is required.

Eligibility criteria:

· Management commitment to core values of fair and accurate journalism;

· Willingness to consider new approaches and to change;

· A minimum of five staff members;

· Established advertising department or a staff member dedicated to advertising issues;

· Readiness to accommodate the international trainer in the office of the newspaper;

· Preference given to a newspaper with a Web site or a plan to launch one.

Application requirements:

· Letter stating what the newspaper wants to improve and why (1 page maximum);

· Organizational structure and lines of authority;

· Resumes of editor in chief, editor, and/or deputy editor.

The complete applications should be submitted either in Russian, Tajik or English by Tuesday, March 31, 2009.

Electronic or paper applications should be submitted to the following address:

U.S. Embassy Dushanbe, Public Affairs Section

109 A Ismoili Somoni Avenue

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Attention: Jackie McKennan, Public Affairs Officer

Emails: McKennanJK@state.gov, AlievaNS@state.gov

For questions please contact Jackie McKennan at 229-2351 or Nigina Alieva at 229-2318 and 90700 5001.

US Embassy