Program Coordinator, Eastern Europe/Central Asia

Job Title: Program Coordinator, Eastern Europe/Central Asia

Department: Programs, ECA

Job Band: Management II

Salary Range: Compensation based on experience, skills, and location. See below for more information.

Office Location: Remote, Europe-based

Workspace Designation: Remote 

Reports to Title: Regional Director, ECA

Closing Date: September 10, 2026

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 over four decades, CPJ has helped win the early release of imprisoned journalists, secure convictions in journalist murders, and enable legal reform in countries where free expression has deteriorated. CPJ’s widely cited database and reports have raised global awareness of attacks on press freedom. 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 a global organization headquartered in the United States, we aspire to build a diverse workplace and foster an inclusive and welcoming environment. 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 is responsible for CPJ’s work in the region and leads research, documentation, and advocacy on press freedom violations. CPJ is seeking an individual with extensive experience covering press freedom issues in Russia and Eastern Europe, and an excellent understanding of the main challenges across the wider region. The candidate must be based in the ECA region and will be hired via an Employer of Record.

The Program Coordinator role requires a strong background in media, press freedom policy, and advocacy in the ECA region, excellent research and analysis skills, and the ability to work independently and proactively. The role also involves responding to journalist assistance cases, including support for journalists experiencing trauma or post-traumatic situations. 

The Program Coordinator needs to have experience working with governments, regional and international bodies; the ability to rapidly respond to emergencies and produce breaking news alerts; the ability to identify emerging trends, conduct original research and produce long-form analysis and multimedia reports; experience developing and executing advocacy strategies to improve protections for journalists in the region; and an ability to develop and maintain strong relationships throughout the region. The Program Coordinator also has managerial responsibilities, overseeing a small number of regional contributors, including researchers or contractors. 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Team Coordination & Leadership

• • Provide day‑to‑day leadership and supervision to staff, including setting expectations, delegating work, monitoring performance, coaching, developing team members, addressing performance or conduct issues, and fostering an inclusive, accountable, high‑performing team culture.
  • Support hiring and onboarding of staff and contributors.
  • Manage regional contributors (researchers, correspondents, contractors), ensuring high‑quality, accurate, timely work aligned with CPJ’s regional strategy.
  • Deputise for senior regional leadership when needed and support implementation of broader regional strategies and priorities.
  • Provide crisis‑management leadership during urgent or high‑risk press freedom situations affecting the region.
  
  

Press Freedom Monitoring, Research & Data

• • Monitor, document, and report on press freedom developments and attacks on journalists.
  • Maintain oversight of case tracking and advocacy pipelines.
  • Maintain accurate, timely updates to CPJ’s databases of imprisoned, missing, killed, or targeted journalists.
  • Propose, initiate, commission, direct, and conduct research and reporting (daily, long‑form, multimedia).
  • Produce timely news alerts, statements, analysis, videos, and social media content in coordination with CPJ’s social media team.
  • Contribute to annual regional assessments, planning documents, and strategic reviews.
  
  

Advocacy

• • Develop, devise, and execute regional and national advocacy strategies to advance press freedom, including advocacy for the release of jailed journalists and ending impunity in journalist murders.
  • Oversee, pitch, and produce advocacy materials and briefings.
  • Propose and execute new project ideas in response to emerging regional developments.
  • Pitch CPJ research to media and stakeholders to shape coverage of press freedom issues.
  
  

Representation, Partnerships & External Engagement

• • Serve as a CPJ spokesperson with media, governments, partner organizations, and civil society.
  • Maintain, build, and strengthen relationships with policymakers, journalists, regional stakeholders, civil society actors, and partner organizations.
  • Develop CPJ’s media networks in the region.
  • Initiate and support collaborations, joint initiatives, and coalition work that advance CPJ’s mission.
  • Attend and represent CPJ at country‑level and regional events, forums, and partner engagements; travel as needed.
  
  

Journalist Assistance & Safety

• • Develop and manage journalist assistance and advocacy plans to ensure timely and appropriate support for journalists in distress.
  • Review and assess journalist assistance cases, providing first‑responder support, feedback, and assistance.
  • Collaborate with the Journalist Assistance team by drafting case‑related reports and coordinating support needs.
  • In collaboration with the Emergencies team, monitor dangerous situations, respond to emerging threats, and deliver timely assistance to journalists.
  
  

Internal Coordination & Reporting

• • Collaborate cross‑functionally with CPJ’s global teams (Advocacy, Research, Assistance) to ensure coordinated organizational impact.
  • Prepare regular activity reports, updates, and assessments for internal and external use.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Competencies: 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• At least seven years of experience in media or advocacy work related to press freedom issues in the region.
• Deep understanding of press freedom issues and the geopolitical context of the region.
• Proven ability to analyze political, policy, and freedom‑of‑expression issues and relate them to press freedom.
• Proven skills in writing succinct, high‑quality reports, including the ability to digest, interpret, and accurately summarize reports and data.
• Fluency in English and Russian (speaking, reading, and writing), and working proficiency in other regional languages.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Impeccable organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Excellent time‑management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively with senior managers to guide the organization.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally across the region
• Proficiency with Google Workspace tools.

Preferred

• Knowledge of additional regional languages is desirable
• Strong networks of regional contacts 
• Expertise in online/digital harms, including surveillance
• Experience of policy development
• Multimedia and data journalism experience
• Experience supporting trauma‑related or journalist assistance cases

Physical Requirements:

This position’s physical demands reflect work in a typical office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Work Location:

This position is located in Europe and is classified as fully remote. Availability to work and attend meetings on the US Eastern time zone as needed is required. 

Compensation:

Compensation for this position will be based on experience, skills, and location. As a point of reference, the expected salary range for this position if hired in the UK is 72,250 - 84,000 GBP. Specific compensation rates will be determined based upon candidate location in order to align with local market conditions and cost of living differences.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

CPJ provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.