The Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ) is looking for an Africa Editor to work in a virtual newsroom that weaves investigative narratives, visuals, and data into compelling data-driven stories. The Africa Editor will work closely with CCIJ’s core team and an international group of journalists on ongoing global projects and help build a network of emerging and established journalists who can be commissioned for stories.
CCIJ often works with journalists who are in environments that are hostile toward press freedoms or in which the materials for doing investigative work are not easily accessible. As a result, creativity, resourcefulness, flexibility, and a passion for collaboration and innovation are key attributes for the person who will fill this position.
The role entails the following activities:
- Evaluate story submissions and work with commissioned journalists throughout the editing process
- Work closely on stories with CCIJ colleagues responsible for photographs/videos, data and data visualization and editing
- Help establish a network of emerging and established African journalists who can be commissioned for stories
- Provide mentorship and training workshops to build capacity amongst the CCIJ network member journalists
- Promote the work of CCIJ and commissioned journalists through her own and other journalism networks
- Keep a running list of possible story ideas
- Contribute to grant applications where needed
Below are some of the attributes and skills we seek in the CCIJ Africa Editor:
- Experience in seeking, evaluating, and commissioning impactful investigative stories
- The ability to work with journalists to find a compelling angle to support a story, even when it appears to be lacking
- Experience overseeing all aspects of the editorial process from pre-meeting to editing the drafts to working with the copy editor to fact checking to legal vetting, publication, and promotion
- Knowledge of a wide range of accessible data and visualization tools
- A commitment to collaborate with visual storytellers, data scientists, and the CCIJ core team across time zones, languages and cultures.
This is a part-time, grant-funded, and work-from-home role that will continue throughout 2022 with a possibility of renewal. We are looking for people willing to commit 15 to 20 hours per week. The hours the Africa Editor works are flexible, and there are several required meetings per month.
We strongly value diversity. Women, people of color and members of other historically disadvantaged groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
How to apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, work samples and two references at Jeff Kelly Lowenstein by Monday, August 15 at jk.lowenstein@ccij.io.
About CCIJ
The Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism is an award-winning non-profit organization that brings together investigative reporters, data scientists and visual storytellers to carry out ongoing investigations into key global issues. We have a commitment to learning from and covering people in underserved communities and to providing opportunities to journalists who would not otherwise have the chance to participate in global projects.