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.
By revealing the evidence of ecosystem destruction and its consequences for people worldwide, Mongabay creates opportunities to hold those responsible accountable. International efforts to address the threat commercial natural resource industries pose to the environment are being stymied by poor governance and a lack of accountability. Corruption and secrecy can often allow regulations meant to protect people and the environment to be ignored, and companies to disguise their continued complicity in environmental destruction and associated rights abuses. Most cases remain undocumented. And those which are exposed do not get explored to the extent needed to enable a proper understanding of how they occur and might be prevented in future. Mongabay’s Investigations Desk works to help fill these critical information gaps.
What Does the Investigative Researcher and Reporter Do?
The Investigative Researcher and Reporter will be responsible for fact-checking articles prior to publication and producing an average of two news stories per month published in English on the priority topics of Mongabay’s Investigations Desk, including monitoring of natural resource industries, effectiveness of environmental governance, tracing commodity supply chains, and threats to environmental defenders.
You will report to the Investigations Editor and cooperatively and support Mongabay staff of editors and writers to grow our investigative news coverage by developing research briefs for use, fact checking reports produced by others, facilitating pre-publication legal review of reporting, carrying out investigative reporting and news assignments approved by editors, and ensuring adherence to grant guidelines and reporting expectations. You will provide other support as needed to ensure content meets Mongabay’s high standards of professionalism, consistency, authenticity, and reliability. Some of your responsibilities in this role may shift occasionally to accommodate the evolving priorities of a growing organization.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Research, Verification, and Reporting Activities (90% of time)
- Monitor, research and identify subjects to develop into investigative stories on the priority topics of Mongabay’s Investigations Desk;
- Produce research briefs on topics relevant to Mongabay’s investigative journalism projects;
- Organize and maintain files and templates by following, creating and/or maintaining investigative methodologies and generating well-structured data;
- Work cooperatively with Mongabay editors and staff to integrate investigative research into their stories;
- Assist team members with research queries, which includes finding and cleaning datasets;
- Participate in the review of assignment-based risk assessments and travel plans;
- Cultivate sources relevant to environmental regulation, land rights, extractive industries, commodity agriculture and subjects to be assigned;
- Work cooperatively with Mongabay editors to produce news reports and investigative features, consistently of high quality;
- Conduct interviews, phone calls and/or meetings, and perform other research as needed, to gather background for interpreting information and validating findings;
- Research, fact-check, and review articles prior to publication, including writing right of reply letters, and coordinating legal review;
- Source and/or produce visual content including photos, videos, charts, and maps;
- Write, edit and post stories via Mongabay’s content management system (WordPress);
- Provide other support as needed to ensure content meets Mongabay’s high standards of professionalism, consistency, authenticity, and reliability.
Strategic Planning & Administration (10% of time)
- Report regularly to Mongabay’s Investigations Editor on progress toward meeting research objectives;
- Monitor and share examples of high-quality investigative journalism practice;
- Support editorial planning to reach established goals in the set timeline;
- Collect data on impacts of articles including examples of republication for use in grant reports;
- Must be able to work within tight deadlines and be responsive to Mongabay.com headquarters and to other Mongabay staffers via email, Asana, Zoom, and messaging platforms.
EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
The Investigative Researcher and Reporter should demonstrate the following qualifications and experience:
- Three or more years of experience working as an investigative journalist is required, an ability to articulate an investigative methodology is ideal.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with conservation and environmental issues is essential, particularly awareness of agribusiness and extractive industries related topics is preferred.
- Excellent research skills, and the ability to discern the quality, veracity and credibility of information;
- Experience participating in a collaborative cross-border investigative journalism project is preferred.
- Demonstrated editorial ability to synthesize, analyze, and interpret data and documents to communicate complex environmental topics for general audiences.
- Comfortable working with a variety of multimedia content including graphics, maps, illustrations, and videos.
- Ability to work independently and produce high quality work with tight deadlines;
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skill in English is required;
- Effective organizational skills and a systematic approach to knowledge management is ideal;
- Must be willing to commit to full-time role (40 hours per week) and available during regular business hours;
- Must be able to work within tight deadlines and be responsive to Mongabay.com headquarters and to other Mongabay staffers via email, Asana, Zoom, and messaging platforms;
- Access to high-speed Internet is required.
PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES
This position will play a critical role in the scale-up of Mongabay’s investigative journalism and visual storytelling efforts. Due to our company culture and global work at-home staff, the most successful employees at Mongabay excel at working independently and producing consistent high-quality journalistic content by taking the initiative and thinking creatively about solutions to problems. In this context, an Investigative Researcher and Reporter:
- Demonstrates talent in research, analysis, and writing;
- Utilizes ethical guidelines and editorial standards to inform their activities;
- Evaluates a diversity of information and data sources to produce original analyses;
- Functions independently and produces high quality work with tight deadlines;
- Organizes projects meticulously according to an established investigative methodology;
- Considers risks carefully and takes actions to mitigate them;
- Makes timely decisions and demonstrates good judgment;
- Maintains a strong sense of professionalism and reliability;
- 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;
- Adjusts approaches according to feedback;
- 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 a diversity of 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 are accepted on a rolling basis until filled. 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:
- 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 page)
- Resume – (1-2 pages)
- 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 are responsible for following applicable Mongabay policies and procedures as defined by their manager and Employment Handbook.
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