Festival Manager - Nation Station

Organization Background

Nation Station is a Beirut-based Lebanese Civil Society Organization that was founded in the aftermath of the August 4th blast. It was born as a grassroot movement to support the neighborhood of Geitawi that was severely affected by the explosion.

In line with its guiding principle “Empowerment over Charity”, Nation Station is dedicated to building solutions adapted to the needs of the community by empowering activists, volunteers, and community members through involvement, employment, skill building, and education. Community kitchen, community health center, and cultural events are among Nation Station’s key activities and projects.

Festival Background

Nation Station’s Cultural Events Department has organized small-scale summer festivals, workshops and exhibitions with the aim of providing the neighborhood of Geitawi with a vibrant cultural scene that is inclusive, easily accessible and free of charge.

It is within this spirit that the Cultural Events department is launching its Summer-Autumn 2023 Festival for the neighborhood of Geitawi. The Festival will not only provide an opportunity for people to enjoy Lebanese cultural productions in the fields of music and cinema, as well as promote emerging artists in these fields, but it will also foster a sense of community by bringing people together from different backgrounds and ages.

Nation Station is  recruiting a Festival Manager to manage the festival program, ensuring logistics and requirements are managed effectively and all events run smoothly. 

Tasks and duties:

Cinema (8-10 screenings)

• Select and program the movies to be screened in collaboration with NS Cultural Events Department staff
• Maintain and develop the Movie Database
• Prepare and distribute the Festival’s film schedule (screenings and debates)
• Prepare the lists of Q&As for post-screening sessions and moderation of talk
• Coordinate and oversee the necessary preparations / logistical arrangements for the screenings and debates at the Festival (i.e purchasing rights, procuring the movie, ensuring quality, a.s.o)
• Contact directors, actors, and target audience to attend screenings, with the support of the Volunteer
• Stage set up and clear down for the Festival events (concerts / open-air cinema)

Music (6 to 8 concerts)

• Manage the operation of the online open submission process and select music artists in collaboration with NS Cultural Events Department staff
• Maintain and develop the Concert Database
• Prepare and distribute the Festival’s concert schedule
• Coordinate and oversee the necessary technical and logistical arrangements for artists’ performances at the Festival, with the support of Volunteers
• Contact music artists and target audience to attend concerts with the support of Nation Station Cultural staff department 

Volunteers

• Coordinate the activities of the Festival volunteers and ensure that each Festival event is adequately staffed

Marketing

• Work closely with NS Cultural Events Department staff in updating social media platforms in the lead up to and during the festival

Monitoring and evaluation

• Ensure the evaluation of overall delivery of the Festival in collaboration with NS Cultural Events Department staff

Financial

• Assist NS Cultural Events Department in monitoring concert and screening budgets, ensuring that each project or concert remains on budget.

Job Requirements :

Essential:

• Experience of event management in the film and/or music industry (2+ years)
• Competence in using Office package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Fluency in Arabic
• Excellent knowledge of English
• Ability to manage own workload with limited supervision
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to formulate and implement work plans
• Excellent organisational and administration skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Commitment to equality and diversity 

Desirable:

• Degree or relevant equivalent qualification in arts
• Experience of measuring and evaluating arts activities

Candidates applying for this position should be a MENA country national.

Duration and Salary:

Duration: 6 months / Expected start date: As Soon As Possible

Salary expected: between 600 USD and 700 USD