Global Witness is growing…and we’re looking for a Financial Journalist (Investigator) – Forests to help us shift the balance of power from polluters profiting most from the climate emergency to the people most adversely affected.  

The Role

You will help run the ‘Forests Newsroom’ at Global Witness, which publishes regular stories highlighting the role of financial institutions in deforestation and the impact this has on lives, biodiversity, and climate.

You will draw on your financial sector contacts, access, and knowledge to monitor, spot, pitch and develop interesting and newsworthy stories linking financial investments to deforestation. The work of the Forests Newsroom, led by a Senior Investigator, supports the efforts of
colleagues campaigning to stop the flow of money to deforestation from the UK, US, EU and China.

Location – London. Global Witness operates a hybrid working model and staff are expected to attend our London office two days a week.

*Please note that internally this role is called an Investigator (Forests)

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Developing, and Delivering Investigations and Communications Outputs

• Supports the newsroom team to deliver accurate, rapid turnaround investigations and data analysis that expose the financiers of deforestation or support other elements of the forest team strategy
• Supports the strategic communications team with story ideas and media contacts
• Monitors news related to forests, climate and finance and broader media landscape to spot and respond to opportunities for stories, quotes and to use our data and research
• Delivers outputs that meet GW’s legal sign-off and fact-checking procedures and in line with ethical standards of practice, including confidentiality, source protection and security, legal and contractual requirements, and general office procedures
• Actively ensures high levels of collaboration and coordination with advocacy colleagues, including positive relationships with civil society groups, activists, communities, and other actors in countries where we are working
• Develops and maintains a strong global network of contacts, particularly in the media
• Cultivates sources in the financial sector, government and regulators through networking events, meetings, and other relevant opportunities
• Produces written content for Global Witness’ website and social media channels in consultation and partnership with the strategic communications team
• Represents Global Witness in the media including undertaking media interviews as required.

Contributing to the Team and Broader Organisation

• • Regularly contributes to the production, proof-reading and fact checking of written materials for the Forests team and other campaign teams
  • Contributes to funding proposals, donor reporting, ensuring deliverables, building relationships with funders. Ways of working and collaborating
  • Works proactively to support the organisation in meeting its purpose, strategy, and priorities
  • Works in line with the Global Witness values of courage, inclusion and belonging, kindness and collaboration in all interactions internally and externally
  • Works collaboratively and positively across the team and whole organisation contributing to cross organisation projects, key events, and initiatives
  • Responds to challenge, explores new ideas and takes initiative in all aspects of teamwork
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships with diverse range of external allies and colleagues
  • Demonstrates an active commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace
  • Works within Global Witness policies and procedures at all times, including confidentiality, source protection and security, legal and contractual requirements, and general office procedures.

Other

• • • Where required, oversees the work of interns or consultants
    • Carries out any other duties equal to the skills and responsibilities required for this role as directed by Senior Investigator, Forests Newsroom.

How To Apply

Please send in your CV (max 2 sides) and your responses to the shortlisting questions below to RecruitmentCampaigns@globalwitness.org by 9am on 27th February 2024.

Shortlisting Questions (max 250 words per question)

1)   Describe your background in financial journalism: please include links to stories you have had involvement in and your role in those stories.

2)   What attracts you to this role at Global Witness?

3)   Describe any professional or voluntary involvement you have had in an issue campaign.

To help us track your application please use the following in the subject heading of the email: Financial Journalist (Investigator) – Forests and please use the following file name protocol for your CV: ‘First Name_Last Name_CV’.

Interview

Virtual interviews will be held on week commencing 11 March.  You will receive the interview questions 1 week ahead of the interview via email to enable you to prepare.

If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make any reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please let us know.

Equality and Diversity

We would appreciate your participation in completing our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.

Global Witness wants to meet the aims and commitments set out in its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy. This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce and candidates in encouraging equality and diversity.

We need your help and co-operation to enable us to do this, but filling in this form is voluntary. The information provided will be kept confidential and will only be used for monitoring purposes.