Mid-career women journalists of First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to undertake a 12-month program to help pave a pathway into leadership roles.

Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from mid-career, women journalists of First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to undertake a 12-month program to help pave a pathway for them into leadership roles.

• This program is designed to empower First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse women journalists and provide them with the requisite knowledge and skills to navigate climbing the ranks of editorial leadership.
• The ten (10) Mentorships will be Australia-wide (two of the 10 successful Mentees will be University of Melbourne and Monash University alumni).
• Mentees will undertake a rigorous selection criteria process based on skill set, experience, personality, cultural fit, and geographical location.
• Once accepted, each applicant will be matched with the right Mentor.
• MDA will facilitate multiple online meetings between Mentors and Mentees before commencing the 12-month Mentorship program to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
• The Mentorships are scheduled to commence in mid-2022.
• The Mentorship recipients will be mentored and supported by an MDA Project Manager.
• Mentorships will take place with one mentor connected to one media outlet for the duration of the placement.

 THE 12-MONTH PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE

• Multiple in-person sessions with their Mentor in their respective workplace.

• Multiple online workshops with individual Mentors.
• Multiple online workshops with all Mentors focusing on professional development, leadership skills, presentation skills, compelling storytelling, and insights into effective editorial processes.

• An opportunity to attend and speak at an MDA networking event and/or be featured in MDA’s monthly newsletter.

HOW TO APPLY

• Applicants must be early to mid-career journalists or media professionals.
• Applicants will come from a First Nations or culturally or linguistically diverse background or have an interest in growing First Nations and cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia’s newsrooms (please note: the term “women of colour” denotes a  woman belonging to a racial group not categorised as white). 
• You must address all of the following to be considered for this program: 
  In 500 words or less, please tell us a bit about you, your media industry experience, your leadership aspirations, and why you should be an MDA Mentee.
• Please also attach a CV and at least one written reference.
• Applications open on Friday, March 4, 2022, at 9 am AEDT and close on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 5 pm AEST. 
• Successful candidates will be announced in June 2022 after an interview process.

Applicants can apply by clicking here (Entries Closed).