Story Editor

Location: This position is preferably based in the Central European time zone, but other locations in similar time zones can be considered.

Application Deadline: September 16, 2024

About OCCRP

With staff across six continents and hubs in Amsterdam, Washington, D.C., and Sarajevo, OCCRP is one of the largest investigative journalism organizations in the world. We are a nonprofit, mission-driven newsroom that partners with other media outlets to publish stories that spur action. OCCRP is also a media development platform that advances investigative reporting worldwide.

Our mission is to spread and strengthen investigative journalism around the world and expose crime and corruption so the public can hold power to account. Our work has four main pillars:

• Investigations - We lead collaborative cross-border projects and publish hard-hitting stories.
• Infrastructure - We provide training, tools, and resources so investigative outlets can thrive.
• Innovation - We develop new technology and solutions that serve the field of journalism.
• Impact - We accelerate the fight against global crime and corruption with groundbreaking partnerships

Position Overview

We’re looking for a talented, ambitious, and tenacious editor to provide maternity cover starting in October 2024, with the possibility of extension into a full-time position. This role involves in-depth engagement with all stages of the production of an OCCRP investigation. You’ll help conceive of stories and organize collaborative projects, guide reporting, line edit, assist with fact checking, plan layouts, and help with publication and promotion. But your main job as a member of OCCRP’s core editorial team is to help us publish only top-notch writing. We need you to help us turn our in-depth, complex investigations, often reported by non-native English speakers, into clear, compelling, readable, and impactful stories.

Reports to: Deputy Editor-in-Chief for editorial management

Team: Editorial

Job Description

Responsibilities include:

• Line-by-line editing, often including rewriting, of copy produced by non-native English speakers.
• Working on projects that may include, but are not limited to, editing and consultation on stories, photos, captions, infographics, illustrations, interactive graphics, videos, and social media.
• Organizing OCCRP’s coverage and publication schedule, and working with other editors and staff to develop best practices and help teach investigative techniques and journalistic writing.
• A significant portion of the job will involve helping coordinate a large and complex editorial workflow among multiple partner centers in many countries.

Person Description

Skills and experience:

• An excellent slinger of copy — able to polish sentences, paragraphs, and stories until they shine.
• Ability to tactfully “sell your edits” to experienced and opinionated reporters.
• Comfortable working under pressure and able to meet tight deadlines.
• Can get inside the reader’s head to help repackage complex investigative stories in a way that makes sense to non-specialists.
• Attention to detail and outstanding organizational skills.
• Project management experience is a plus.
• People management skills and ability to work across teams and cultures.
• Thick-skinned and able to handle the rigors of a demanding workplace.
• Proactive, improvisational, and able to take charge with little guidance.
• Well-versed in international politics, corruption, and organized crime.
• Strong familiarity with any of the following regions is a plus (but not required):
  • Central and Eastern Europe
  • Eurasia
  • Africa
  • Latin America
• Proficiency in languages other than English, especially Russian or Spanish, is a plus.

To Apply

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and at least one example of the best investigation you have edited to jobs.editors[at]occrp.org no later than September 14, 2024.

All applications must be submitted in English. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Whilst we have internal goals to reply to unsuccessful candidates, we regret that the high number of applicants greatly exceeds our capacity to respond to each person. We apologise that we will not be able to reply to any unsuccessful applicants.

As an equal opportunity employer, OCCRP values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace. We offer competitive compensation and benefits and encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any person based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, medical conditions, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics. If you are a qualified applicant requiring assistance or an accommodation to complete any step of the application process, please contact hr[at]occrp.org