Editor

We are looking for an experienced editor to join our growing team. An exciting position with lots of responsibility, you will commission, edit and publish major stories and investigations produced by the Bellingcat collective and, on occasion, freelance contributors. 

Who We Are

Bellingcat is an independent collective of international researchers, investigators and citizen journalists using open source and social media investigations to probe conflict, corruption, crimes, misinformation, disinformation, extremist groups and much, much more. We have received multiple awards for our research and publications that shine a light on wrongdoing. Our community (which includes staff, contributors and volunteers around the world) works in a unique field where technology, forensic research, journalism and the advancement of justice and accountability come together.

Who You Are

You have a demonstrable track record as an editor and experience in open source research and/or investigative journalism.

You are enthusiastic about working for an international nonprofit organisation that uses publicly available data and open source analysis to investigate a variety of topics that are in the public interest and which advance transparency.

Responsibilities

• Commissioning and editing high profile stories and investigations
• Upholding Bellingcat’s rigorous editorial standards
• Laying out and publishing stories in Bellingcat’s CMS systems
• Working closely with Bellingcat’s other editors to shape the future growth and direction of the editorial team
• Working closely with Bellingcat’s other editors to develop new storytelling opportunities and platforms on which to engage with our audience (newsletters, podcasts, social media etc)
• Working closely with Bellingcat researchers to develop stories, offer guidance when required and see them them through to publication
• Working closely with other teams within Bellingcat to showcase our work developing new technical tools, volunteer projects and educational initiatives

Skills and Experience

• At least five years’ editing experience
• Experience conducting open source research or editing articles with significant open source components
• Experience working on major, often legally sensitive and high profile investigations
• Strong fact-checking skills, a ruthless eye for detail and impeccable journalistic standards
• Experience editing and condensing long, technical texts
• Experience laying out and publishing said texts on CMS systems, including an eye for photo selection
• The ability to make what are often complex articles interesting and engaging for broader audiences
• The desire to develop new types of storytelling using the results of open source research
• Good digital security knowledge
• Calmness under pressure and the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Strong personal and relationship building skills
• Full professional proficiency or native English language skills preferred
• Fluency in an additional language other than English is highly desirable, but not required
• Video and audio editing skills a plus but not essential
• Willingness to work independently with colleagues spread across several time zones (fully remote working is possible in this role)

What We Offer

Bellingcat is a young, innovative and diverse international team. Our distributed model of work encourages initiative, a high degree of responsibility and ownership of both your successes and challenges. We value and reward the drive for excellence and don’t put up with the bare minimum.

This is a position with an initial one-year contract. This contract includes a three-month probation period. Subject to performance, the contract could be extended or turned into a permanent contract at the one-year mark.

The salary range is within the framework of the non-profit sector and is between 49,000 – 54,000 EUR per annum gross depending on experience and track record.

Additional benefits include 25 (twenty five) days of paid holiday days per year, salary (70%) guarantee in case of prolonged illness, yearly budget for personal development and yearly paid sabbatical leave (the latter three are subject to eligibility).

How To Apply

Bellingcat is committed to a diverse working environment. Our team is international, from a wide range of backgrounds and we always welcome and appreciate new perspectives and life experiences. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, origin, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation. Your formal education is less important to us than your previous experience in the field.

Please apply by sending a CV, a cover letter explaining your suitability for this role and three examples of articles you have edited to jobs@bellingcat.com. Please also note the job you are applying for in the subject line of your email. The deadline to apply for this role is 31 March 2024. Given we expect significant interest in this position, it will not be possible to respond to all applications.