The Bureau of Investigative Journalism is looking for a talented editor to lead our global environmental reporting team, on an initial two-year contract.

We have a recently expanded team of journalists and impact producers working on multiple reporting strands relating to climate change. This is undoubtedly the most important story in the world and we want to make sure it is told well and told urgently.

Our expanded team will be building an international network of freelance reporters and publishing partners, putting impact at the heart of our journalism, and increasing the scale and ambition of our reporting. We want this team to deliver agenda-setting investigations that make headlines across the world and help create real and positive change.

We want a brilliant editor who can work alongside our existing reporting team to continue this exciting three-year project. The environment editor will lead on project management, story shaping, partnerships and editing.

About The Bureau & The Project

The Bureau is the UK’s largest independent investigative journalism organisation. It exists to inform the public about the realities of power in today’s world. Our investigations seek to expose systemic wrongs, challenge misinformation and spark change. With no corporate or political agenda, we bring to light serious issues affecting individuals and communities in the UK and around the world. We work strategically and collaboratively to maximise the impact of our reporting and share our findings openly with local, national and international media outlets to reach as many people as possible.

About the environment project

We are telling stories about the impact of industrialised food on the planet and its people, the financing of climate-damaging extractive industries, and the rise of antibiotic resistance through the food chain. Our expanded team is entering its second year strong, and is looking for an editor and project manager to guide its course.

The team comprises a project editor, four reporters and an impact producer based in the UK, working with regular freelancers, environmental groups and researchers across the world.

The Role

It is an exciting time to join our innovative, mission-driven journalism outfit. This is an opportunity to build a new phase of a high–profile project at a time of rapid expansion for our organisation.

The environment editor will be responsible for helping to shape the project and deliver the vision over the next two years. We are looking for a hands-on, enthusiastic person who has built and led teams. You will have vast experience of editing, an instinctive ability to see news lines and be able to create narratives out of long reporting projects. You should be excited about experimenting with how we tell these stories – whether through data, video, graphics or something totally new. You should also be interested in building collaborations outside the immediate team.

You will have excellent communication skills and be experienced at commissioning or building reporter networks, preferably across borders. You will be meticulous, highly organised and focused on delivery. And you will be motivated by producing journalism that helps change the world.

A background in environmental journalism is desirable but not essential, although you will be expected to get across this field quickly and build contacts in the area as well as demonstrate a strong interest in the topic.

Responsibilities

• Manage big, ambitious environmental reporting projects
• Manage the team on a day-to-day basis
• Lead on copy-editing of investigations
• Build a network of international co-publishing partnerships
• Build a network of experienced international freelance journalists and researchers
• Work with the impact team to create journalism that drives real change
• Work with the Bureau production team on output
• Work with the Bureau editing team to ensure accuracy of reporting
• Encourage innovative storytelling
• Build and then deliver against the project goals
• Act as a public face for the project

Experience and skills

• Proven track record of strong editing
• Project management skills
• Proven team leadership
• Commissioning experience
• Experience of working with in-country reporters
• Understanding of media law and journalism ethics
• Diligence and attention to detail
• Collaborative team player
• A passion for accountability journalism
• Experience of fact-checking and right-to-replies

Desirable experience and skills

• Environmental journalism background
• Ideas for imaginative storytelling
• Experience of difficult reporting environments
• Presenting and public speaking
• Experience producing TV/radio news and/or documentaries

Candidates will need to live in the UK and have a right to work here. The role is intended to be primarily based in our London office – which operates a hybrid working policy – but there is room for flexibility within the UK.

The Bureau is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a diverse, inclusive and adaptable environment where people are encouraged and supported to do their best work.

We are particularly interested in supporting and encouraging applicants from groups that are under-represented in the media. This is envisaged as a full-time role but we are open to a four-day-a-week role or flexible working to help to support parents and carers.

Salary guide: £49,000–£54,000, depending on experience, on an initial two-year contract.

To Apply

Send a CV and covering letter to environmentjob@tbij.com by 18 April 2022. Please mention Journo Resources when you apply, it really helps us out.

Please also fill out our Equality Monitoring Form here, which is anonymous, so we can better track who we are reaching.