Gareth Benest Email & Phone Number

Gerrards Cross, Gb

The International Broadcasting Trust (IBT) works with the media to ensure that audiences remain engaged with global issues. It is a membership-based with 45 member organisations, including Oxfam, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, WWF, Practical Action and others working on issues related to international development and climate change.The Advocacy and Development Director works to ensure IBT achieves maximum impact through its engagement with key stakeholders including Ofcom, the DCMS, public service broadcasters, parliamentarians and its member organisations. Responsibilities also include contributing towards effective external communications and helping to grow the organisation's membership of leading INGOs.

Worldwide

Freelance consultant providing communications and participatory media services to various international development organisations, including: workshop facilitation, filmmaking (production/post-production), copy-writing/editing, training (mobile photography, participatory methods, video editing), commissioning and managing multimedia productions (documentaries, voiceovers, scripts), and graphic design. All requiring strong project management, planning and stakeholder management skills. Recent examples include:• Communications support to Transparency International Secretariat in Berlin (2017-20) including: training staff across Africa to gather and share stories, facilitating participatory video projects, commissioning documentaries, designing campaign materials, producing advocacy videos, copy-writing and editing for publications etc.• Various graphic design and copy-editing assignments for GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) in Bonne (2019-20) including poster series on corruption, conflict and SDGs; and factsheets on issues ranging from sextortion to open data.• Wide-ranging communications support to The Land Portal Foundation in The Netherlands (2019-21) including: graphic design and copy-editing of two annual reports and organisational strategy, copy-writing for website, and development of fundraising materials.

Oxford, United Kingdom

InsightShare is a pioneering social enterprise at the forefront of participatory video practice, comprising staff and freelancers in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The Director of Programmes is responsible for the development and implementation of all projects and programmes, working in close collaboration with funders and partner organisations around the world.• Designed and implemented initiatives to amplify community voices on issues including women’s rights, gender-based violence, climate change, HIV/Aids, indigenous land rights, corruption, and sustainable agriculture. Achieving major impacts for vulnerable groups.• Facilitated community media projects to enable marginalised groups to learn multimedia skills and advocate for change at local, national and international levels. Sharing skills in production process from investigation and planning to creation, editing and dissemination.• Developed and nurtured a global team of freelance facilitators; commissioning and managing the implementation of projects with diverse communities and partners.• Led growth and strategic development of organisation with senior management team. Co- founded InsightShare Network of community groups, academics, facilitators and activists.• Trained and supported global community of participatory video facilitators through capacity-building, courses, mentoring and writing three guides on participatory practice.

OneWorldTV was a pioneering open documentary platform, dedicated to hosting films on global justice issues, and among the very first video-sharing websites. It was a project by OneWorld UK, a non-profit organisation harnessing the power of new media, mobile and web technologies for social good.• Built network of content partners from leading development agencies. Undertook the moderation of all multimedia content (uploaded by global community of users) to maintain standards of quality and ethics; establishing unique repository of videos on global justice.• Produced videos at key campaign actions, innovated approaches to mobile video campaigning, created podcast series featuring filmmakers working in development field.• Undertook overall project management including: budgeting, planning, monitoring, donor reporting (e.g. Rockefeller, Ford Foundation); managed small team of staff and volunteers.• Oversaw platform redevelopment and redesign. Researched and wrote copy on wide range of global justice issues, plus technical support guides for content creators.

New Delhi Area, India

Facilitator for a groundbreaking participatory video projects with street children in New Delhi (addressing issues including police brutality and sexual abuse) and peace workers in Gujarat engaging the muslim community affected by the 2002 communal riots. Various filmmaking assignments including documenting the World Social Forum in Mumbai, Abilympics, Peace & Justice March, Prince Charles’ visit to homeless shelters.

Assistant to Internal Communications Manager, responsible for various aspects of internal communications and the coordination of visits from international staff to maximise exposure and facilitate inter-organisational communication and cross-departmental/country sharing.