Editor: Africa

Position: Editor: Africa

Location: Remote (Applications from individuals based in Nigeria or Kenya are encouraged, &/or those who primarily reside in sub-Saharan Africa)

Contract type: Consultant

Hours: Full time

Contract length: 6-months with potential extension subject to funding availability.

Deadline for applications:  26 April 2024

About IWPR:

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) is an independent, international non-governmental organisation with head offices in London and Washington DC. IWPR empowers local voices to drive change in countries in conflict, crisis and transition. Where hate speech and propaganda proliferate, and journalists and civic activists are under attack, IWPR promotes reliable information and public debate that makes a difference.

About the project:

This opportunity is part of IWPR’s Voices for Change (V4C) programme, implemented in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Nigeria and Kenya. V4C supports independent journalists, media outlets and civil society organisations to give voice and improve accountability, encouraging positive change in response to serious human rights violations, malign influence and disinformation, and the drivers of conflict.

About the role:

The IWPR Africa Editor will lead on the oversight and delivery of V4C’s editorial support to beneficiary journalists, media outlets and communications professionals in sub-Saharan Africa, including training, mentoring and editing responsibilities.

Reporting to V4C’s Chief of Party - and with a dotted line relationship to the IWPR Managing Editor - the IWPR Africa Editor will provide primary oversight and editorial responsibility of all Africa-related English language content on IWPR.net, IWPR’s social media channels, and English language pieces on other project-related platforms.

This may include the oversight and roll-out of specific English-language products, in agreement with the Chief of Party / Managing Editor.

The role will contribute heavily to online capacity strengthening support for beneficiary journalists, media representatives, and partner organisations, in-line with needs assessments. This will include in-person training and mentoring where possible.

Experienced journalists and editors with a strong track record of training and mentoring are encouraged to apply. Applicants based in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria or Kenya preferred. We will consider those located outside of the continent who regularly travel to the region for personal reasons (i.e members of the diaspora with interests both in/out of SSA)

The main responsibilities and duties of this role will be:

• Proofread, edits and improve stories, pieces and investigations ahead of publication. Provide guidance to contributors in order to improve their work;

• Recruit contributors – as per IWPR.net and project requirements – and other beneficiaries for IWPR support in target areas identified;

• Commission content for IWPR.net and for local/regional outlets, in-line with budget and timeline requirements;

• Coordinate the publication and production of capacity building guides and training materials, including for IWPR’s Academy, and as per individual project requirements;

• Liaise with photographers, designers and other artists to support IWPR outputs and publications. This may include overseeing layouts for publications;

• Design and oversee training and mentoring programmes for journalists, media representatives and civil society organisations, including both in-person and online delivery. Provide direct training and mentoring support as required, including leading individual sessions;

• Work within agreed budget requirements and donor regulations, liaising closely with budget holders and project managers as necessary;

To be successful in this role we anticipate that you would have:

• Working experience as an editor, commission &/or journalist for media outlets in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa (work/living experience in Nigeria and Kenya desirable);

• Strong editing skills, including writing and proofreading abilities;

• Experience of conducting mentoring and training programmes;

• Excellent written and spoken English skills. Additional relevant language skills for sub-Saharan Africa welcomed;

• Knowledge and experience of essential office applications, including MS Office;

• Journalism related qualification(s).

Travel:

• Occasional travel will be required.

Principals only. No calls please. Only those who have been considered for an interview will be contacted.

IWPR is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, veteran status or pregnancy and maternity. IWPR will never ask for payment for recruitment.