INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR

THIS POSITION IS CLOSED AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Since its founding in 1999, Mongabay.com has become one of the top sources for tropical forest news, analysis, and information on the Internet. The site today draws more than three million visitors per month, making it among the most visited eco-focused destinations on the internet. In 2008, mongabay.com was honored by Time Magazine as one of the 15 best “green” sites on the Web.

Mongabay’s international team of editors and staff writers have produced impactful investigative reporting series on critical environmental and conservation issues including illegal wildlife and commodities trading, the dealings of international agribusiness and mining operations, and the fundamental transformation of ecosystems currently driving existential threats to biodiversity.

To scale up and systematize Mongabay’s investigative reporting, we’re building a dedicated investigative program focused on exposing crimes against the environment and its defenders, improving transparency and accountability within natural resource industries and developing collaborative cross-border investigative partnerships.

WHAT DOES THE INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR DO?

Mongabay seeks an analytical, rigorous, and collaborative investigative journalist motivated to identify unanswered questions, develop hypotheses, assess and verify evidence, and organize facts to create compelling environmental reporting.

The investigative editor will be responsible for systematizing Mongabay’s investigative journalism activities across existing editorial projects as well as developing new ones by facilitating collaboration on cross-border investigation and building the capacity of Mongabay staff and contributors to regularly produce impactful investigative reporting.

This role requires proficiency in both investigative and data journalism practices to provide substantive assistance to editorial staff and contributors working around the world. For example, the editor will obtain and analyze documents and datasets; organize research about individuals, institutions and industries; manage encrypted communications channels; assess reporting plans in high-risk locations; and cross-check reports prior to publication.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

EDITORIAL MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION (90% of time)

  • Monitor, research and identify subjects to develop into investigative stories on topics related to the environment with a special focus on trans-national commodities supply chains;
  • Conduct interviews, phone calls and/or meetings, and perform other research as needed, to gather background for the planning of stories and article series;
  • Generate pitch requests and assess story proposals;
  • Commission, edit and publish in-depth investigative reports from freelance reporters around the world;
  • Manage assignments, conduct risk assessments, and arrange field reporting;
  • Maintain secure channels for communication and file sharing;
  • Research, fact-check, and review articles prior to publication;
  • Source and/or produce visual content including charts, maps, photos, and videos, as needed, for each report produced;
  • Work cooperatively with editorial staff to organize investigative story series and develop Mongabay’s investigative reporting methodologies and processes;
  • Develop and manage ongoing editorial and publishing partnerships between Mongabay and other media outlets;
  • 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 Global Program Director on progress toward meeting reporting objectives;
  • Support editorial planning to reach established goals in the set timeline;
  • Collect data on impacts of stories including examples of republication for use in grant reports;
  • Work within tight deadlines and be responsive to Mongabay headquarters and to other Mongabay staffers via email, skype, phone, and text.

PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES

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 investigations editor:

  • Demonstrates exceptional talent in writing/editing;
  • Evaluates a diversity of information and data sources to produce original analyses;
  • Organizes projects meticulously according to an established investigative methodology;
  • Considers risks carefully and takes actions to mitigate them;
  • Functions independently and produces high-quality work on deadline;
  • 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.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

  • Five or more years of experience working as an investigative journalist is required, an ability to articulate an investigative methodology is ideal.
  • Exceptional fluency (writing and speaking) in English.
  • Knowledge of and familiarity with conservation and environmental issues is essential, particularly awareness of agribusiness and extractive industries related topics is preferred.
  • 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.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, WordPress (or similar), Google Drive, Social Media (Twitter / Facebook), and Asana (or similar project management system).
  • 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.

COMPENSATION

Mongabay aims to offer competitive pay rates that will attract, retain, and motivate our full-time contractors. You are free to submit a pay range when applying.

TO APPLY

The deadline has passed and we are no longer accepting applications. Applications are 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 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.