Overview

Founded in 1999, Mongabay is an award-winning environmental science and conservation news organization, which publishes original news on a daily basis in an objective (does not advocate), accurate (relies on facts and scientific information) and timely manner to a global audience of conservation scientists, private-sector decision-makers, government policymakers, civil society organizations, journalists in other media outlets, and interested members of the public. Mongabay’s readership across its news sites positions the organization as one of the top sources of environmental news, analysis, information, and inspiration on the Internet.

What Does the Associate Editor Do?

The Associate Editor will be a pivotal contributor to Mongabay’s global newsroom by enabling credible information about environmental issues to reach new audiences that need it. This role will contribute to scaling up the production and publication of news content using StoryTransformer, a tool designed to convert critical environmental information into languages, formats, and delivery modes that are relevant, accessible, and actionable to the people making on-the-ground decisions about land, water, and resource use. To assist in the establishment of new language editions of Mongabay, the Associate Editor will perform outreach and engagement tasks to ensure information is being shared on relevant channels to reach people.  This role will also support Mongabay staff of editors and writers by assisting with article layout, photo selection, and copy editing. Knowledge and familiarity with conservation and environmental issues is essential.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Use Mongabay’s StoryTransformer to generate adaptations of relevant news content into at least one of the following languages: Bengali, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Nepali, Malay, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, and Vietnamese
• Work directly with Story Transformer Team to train the tool on at least one of the above languages
• Copy edit and fact check content pre-publication to ensure it meets Mongabay’s editorial standards
• Provide feedback and input about StoryTransformer to assist in its development
• Format and publish stories via Mongabay’s content management system (WordPress)
• Ensure the images displayed in Mongabay’s news sites are consistent and appealing; including editing or replacing images, as necessary
• Maintain an editorial calendar to assist in the scheduling of publication
• Conceive of and create social media content in line with editorial priorities following Mongabay’s visual guidelines
• Route incoming messages on social media to appropriate staff and respond to inquiries
• Provide support and engage with the style committee to update and adapt the style guide in new languages, as necessary
• Collect data on impacts of stories including examples of republication for use in grant reports; and
• Must be able to work within tight deadlines and be responsive to Mongabay headquarters and to other Mongabay staffers via email, Asana, video calls, and messaging platforms.
• Provide other support as needed to ensure content meets Mongabay’s high standards of professionalism, consistency, authenticity, and reliability.

Experience, Qualifications and Requirements

• At least two years of professional experience in journalism and/or a relevant bachelor’s degree
• Exceptional fluency (writing and speaking) in English and at least one of the priority languages listed above
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Conformable managing social media accounts and generating meaningful engagement
• Basic image editing and processing skills
• A keen eye for selecting photos that engage readers
• A good understanding of locally relevant platforms for reaching and engaging target audience, potentially including, but not limited to social media, radio, messaging services, and media outlets.
• Knowledge and familiarity with conservation and environmental issues is essential
• Experience using a content management system (such as WordPress), is preferred
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, social media, and project management software
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of content including formatting of articles, graphics, photo captions, and HTML
• Willing to learn news editing skills and coordinate with editorial staff in translation review processes
• Reliable access to high-speed Internet is required
• Must be willing to commit to a full-time role (40 hours per week) and available during regular business hours

Professional Qualities

This position will play a critical role in the scale-up of Mongabay’s environmental reporting efforts. Due to our organization’s culture and global work-at-home staff, the most successful staffs at Mongabay are adept at working independently and produce consistent high-quality journalistic work by taking initiative and thinking creatively about solutions to problems. In this context, this person:

• Is extremely self-directed, motivated, and reliable
• Demonstrates a talent for journalism
• Functions independently and produces high quality work with tight deadlines
• Understands ethical and editorial journalistic standards
• Makes timely decisions and demonstrates good judgment
• Integrates cross-cultural dynamics into their thinking
• Has an analytical mindset needed to parse and understand data from website analytics and social media engagement;
• Maintains a strong sense of professionalism and communication
• Adjusts approaches according to feedback
• Contributes to the Mongabay team by communicating and working cooperatively with staff, while following through on tasks and delivering results
• Fosters positive relationships with journalists and co-partnership media outlets
• Demonstrates personal integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality

Compensation & Location

As a globally distributed organization, there is no required location for this position. However, location is a consideration and an ability to coordinate with colleagues working in Asia (UTC+7 to 9 ) time zones is strongly preferred. Mongabay aims to offer competitive pay rates that will attract, retain, and motivate our full-time staff. Please submit a pay range when applying.

To Apply

Apply online via the link below. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. On the application, you will be asked to fill out basic contact information, pay rate expectations, reference information (2), and to upload the following two documents:

1. Cover letter – please provide specific examples of your experience related to this position, as well as specific examples of your ability to work effectively from home and meet deadlines (1-2 pages)
2. Resume – (1-2 pages)
3. Two references

Applications must be submitted in English. Please note that you do not need to provide letters of recommendation and we will not reach out to references before getting your permission to do so.

Benefits, Holidays, and Paid Time Off

It is important for all staff to step away from work to renew themselves. That is why Mongabay provides generous paid time off (PTO) for professional development, holidays, sick time, rest and relaxation, and vacation including a flexible work schedule. We observe 11 holidays and support staff who celebrate other personal and religious holidays.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mongabay is an equal employment opportunity (EEO)/affirmative action employer and provides EEO to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other status prohibited by law.

* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Management reserves the right to change or modify such duties as required. All staff is responsible for following applicable Mongabay policies and procedures as defined by their manager and Employment Handbook.