Digital Editor, Tajik Service

Job Summary:

Digital Editor is responsible for optimally publishing RFE/RL journalism on its sites and on other platforms, including social media and subscription services, so that it reaches new audiences, deepening loyalty and building trust.

Production is integral to RFE/RL’s editorial process and success, and as a full-time team member, you will be too. You must have a good eye for presentation, in particular augmenting text with photos, videos, and background material.

We are a team that places high value on collaboration, both in our daily work and in our efforts to continually improve how we work. You should be able to carry out all functions of other digital editors on the team. You communicate proactively with stakeholders across various divisions and teams, including writers and editors, to ensure that published content meet expectations across platforms. You’ll work closely with a small, self-directed team to meet daily publishing deadlines.

You will be joining an innovative, mission-driven organization at a time rapid change. This role is an opportunity to explore the role of RFE/RL’s journalism can play in society and experiment with different ways of engaging audiences and communities. You should be keenly interested in the best practices and latest developments in digital journalism – and be keen to pursue innovative forms of storytelling and audience development across platforms.

A commitment to our mission, journalistic impartiality and integrity is a must. Adherence to our professional standards and best practices is required.

This position reports to the Service Director.

Responsibilities:

• You prepare content to be published. You share responsibility for posting clean and compelling content to the website, esp. with an eye to use on mobile devices, and to other platforms like social media and newsletters.
• You manage content and copy flow in coordination with other editors. You conduct quality tests on content pre- and post-publish, fix errors in published content, and test new site changes and features.
• You stay on top of news developments and current events, build and maintain a broad network of contacts and sources, research, prepare, and verify information to support high-quality interviews with guests and public figures, and gather relevant video and visual materials for use in interviews and related content.
• You present news and reports in video programs, moderate live and recorded discussions, engage audiences across digital platforms and foster meaningful interactions with them, and contribute to the growth of loyal subscriber communities.
• You produce live, pre-recorded digital content using available production techniques, tools and equipment, and closely collaborate with technical specialists and involved staff to ensure smooth execution of broadcasts and recordings.
• You take a proactive role in editorial meetings, keeping up with the news and pitching compelling story ideas.
• You manage and assign tasks to members of the digital team and put together schedules for content and shifts.
• If requested, you take on writing, editing, and production assignments.
• If assigned to lead a team, you will support the growth, goal setting, professional development, and performance of staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, or related field or the equivalent in experience is preferred.

Work Experience:

• 4+ years of experience in digital journalism in news organization
• Extensive experience in publishing projects across platforms
• Experience in positions of increasing responsibility
• Strong reporting and editing background.
• Competencies:
• Strong news judgment
• Team-based work ethic
• Understanding of digital success metrics
• Familiarity with social media storytelling and search engine optimization
• Ability to deliver fast, accurate and compelling copy and visual production.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize with little supervision under tight deadlines.
• Adapts to and works effectively within a variety of situations, and with various individuals or groups. Flexibility entails understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue, adapting one’s approach as the requirements of a situation change, and changing or easily accepting changes in one’ s own organization or job requirements.
• Ability to work various shifts, as assigned and on short notice.
• Expected to work weekends and work from home, as and when required.
• Broad knowledge of political, economic, and social situations and international affairs acquired through studies, research, writing, travel, or other relevant experience or exposure.
• Familiarity with html and video editing are a plus.

Languages:

• Tajik (mandatory)
• English (mandatory)
• Other regional languages are strongly desired