Job Title:
Reporter (Farming & Rural Affairs) – Part Time 3 days per week
Department:
Editorial
Function:
Publishing
Reporting to:
Farming Editor
Role Purpose
We are seeking to hire a Reporter for the farming section of the Irish Independent on a specific purpose contract to cover for maternity leave. The Reporter will be responsible for providing exclusive, quality farming journalism. The ideal candidate will have a track record in news, with strong contacts in the agri-food sector and will also be an excellent writer who can analyse stories and write news features as required. The role demands an ability to call a story, identify underlying themes and to explain complex developments crisply and accessibly for both an online and print audience. A solid understanding of the agri-food/farming sector is important.
Role Responsibilities (Overview)
* To break stories and be a champion for original journalism
* To be able to write analysis articles on complex issues in a concise and informative way
* Covering the breaking news and keeping stories updated across all digital and print platforms
* Building a strong network of contacts to maintain a flow of news ranging from political figures to the general public
* Collaborating with general news and other specialists, news editors, photographers and the Group Head of News in the newsroom
* Performing other duties on occasion as required by the Farming Editor or other relevant Editor
Experience & Qualifications (Minimum Experience & Essential Knowledge)
* At least two years' experience as a journalist with a track record in breaking stories and original journalism
* Experience in writing about farming is an advantage
Skills -
Behavioural
* Excellent news judgment
* Ability to generate original and engaging ideas
* Organisation skills – ability to meet deadlines and manage time and story demands
* Strong team player who can work with other departments across the business
* Self-starting, shows initiative, operate without supervision, motivated
* Accuracy, fairness, balance, commitment to ethics
* Creative flair
* Ability to conceptualise
* Decisiveness
* Flexibility / willingness to adapt to technological and other changes
Skills
- Technical
* Engaging written and digital journalism
* Copy editing, including writing SEO and social friendly headlines
* Ability to maximise social media and other digital tools to source farming / rural news information – and to promote your journalism
* Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
* Content Management System
* Good knowledge of libel law and relevant legislation, including contempt, privacy, copyright etc.
* Knowledge of the Editors' Code of Practice and IPSO best practice