Job Description
OVERVIEW
Across our organization, we're building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success.
This person must be a strong, proactive leader who can take ownership of coverage from start to finish – helping to conceive, execute, elevate and promote our work across all platforms.
The Latin America/Africa editor's primary responsibility is to work with the reporters on the ground to shape NPR's coverage from and about these vast and richly diverse regions but also is expected to engage with editors across the desk and the newsroom to help guide and develop global coverage. This includes preparation of on-air material as well as content for digital and social platforms and providing editorial guidance to the newsroom and production staff.
The job requires attention to detail, big picture thinking and concern about craft. The editor must be well-versed in the history and culture of the regions and will be expected to read widely. The editor must have excellent news judgment and the ability to work collaboratively -- but also have the confidence to work independently.
You'll be part of a team of six editors overseeing coverage from 17 bureaus and 22 correspondents. You will report to the Chief International Editor and will be expected to work collaboratively with colleagues on the desk and elsewhere in the organization. You also will engage with NPR's Field Security director to support field safety and security for staff based outside the US or sent on medium- and high-risk assignments overseas.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Works directly with correspondents in Africa and Latin America to plan and develop story ideas, spot news coverage, series, digital and social content and other editorial products as needed.
• Has regular discussions with correspondents about story ideas, helps shape the content and scope of story proposals, suggests stories and specific areas of inquiry, while making final assignments.
• Works with and develops regional freelancers, as needed
• Manage coverage from other regions, as needed
• Tracks ongoing flow of news from Africa and Latin America, maintain contacts with news sources to keep current with topics of interest to the desk and maintain files of future events and issues.
• Supervises preparation of air and online material and is responsible for editorial integrity and quality of that material
• Ensures that all material aired and published meets NPR's standards and practices, including standards of fairness, objectivity and balance
• Listens to prepared stories, suggests changes that make pieces concise, coherent, comprehensive and interesting; copy edits stories and writes material as needed. Determines when a story is ready for air
• Monitors programming and provides critiques
• Monitors pieces and host interviews, especially those to which he/she is assigned, in a consistent manner
• Provides support to Chief National Editor as needed.
• Acts as liaison to shows, various news desks, Newscast and online as assigned by Senior Editors
• Assumes additional workload of other editors when they are away
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: Minimum education experience, required or preferred. (Ex: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in work experience) Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university or equivalent required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
• At least eight years' experience as a news reporter or editor, including work on:
Breaking news, analysis and feature reports, including the development of topics and the organization and presentation of lengthy articles or programs.
International reporting experience preferable.
• At least four years of experience editing or reporting on international news.
• Demonstrable knowledge of international affairs and international news coverage and news planning.
• Considerable skill in both news and feature editing.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and disseminate information and to coordinate daily news coverage.
• Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public media system.
• Demonstrated understanding of sound organizational development, management and supervisory principles.
PREFERRED SKILLS
• Daily news experience.
• Managerial experience.
• Experience living and working abroad.
• Thorough knowledge of broadcast writing and audio production.
• Experience maintaining high journalistic standards under deadline pressure, including standards of objectivity, balance and fairness.
• Experience working in and/or knowledge of public radio and the public radio system.
Language:
• Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d89yzx-54-197-64-207-42 in your application.