Managing Editor – BELARUS SERVICE

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is looking to hire  –  Managing Editor for Belarus service, located in Vilnius, Lithuania. 

As authoritarian governments around the world crack down on free press and spread disinformation, RFE/RL’s mission is more critical than ever. We promote democratic values by providing accurate, uncensored news and open debate in countries where a free press is threatened, and disinformation is pervasive. RFE/RL reports the facts, undaunted by pressure. 

Reporting to the Broadcast Service Director for Belarus service, located in Prague´s headquarters, Czech Republic, the Managing Editor assists the Service Director in managing the daily operations of the Service and its bureau. Based in the bureau, s/he will oversee daily planning of the news coverage across all platforms, will have editorial responsibility for the content of the Service, incl. its video, audio and social production, will supervise the reporters and editors, and ensure that all their output, incl. news and features and related editorial content quality is of industry standard and of interest and relevant to audiences. Managing Editor will also participate in achieving RFE/RL and Service goals and objectives in the assigned areas.

WHAT DOES THE ROLE ENTAIL? 

Key responsibilities include:

• Working alongside editors on day-to-day production, Managing Editor will ensure service’s activities run according to schedule and finished products are of high quality, balanced, carefully edited, and ready for distribution. S/he will develop video and digital programming in correspondence with the Service’s strategic goals and targets and improve Service’s content production from the broadcast regions.
• Leading the daily editorial meetings with staff to elicit and identify coverage, coordinating planning with Prague, striving for efficiency in the use of journalistic resources and capacity, setting and enforcing deadlines and contribution length, editing and/or supervising the editing of all content as relevant including multimedia.
• Monitoring the electronic and online media environment in the field of operation in order to ensure suitability of the Service's output to the local media culture.
• Exploring innovative angles for coverage, ensuring relevance to local audiences, initiating program ideas.
• Maintaining RFE/RL's editorial standards of output on all platforms (e.g. radio, TV, site, social and messaging services), ensuring quality and timeliness of all contributions.
• Working as correspondent and reporter on assignment and assign interviews on ad hoc basis, coordinating assignments and evaluation of work of service staff as well as that of bureau employees and stringers.
• People management – hiring, goal setting, coaching, motivating, managing performance and people development, supervision of staff includes freelancers.
• Takes the lead in creating a supportive environment, encouraging initiative, participation, and open communication within the team.
• Participates as required as an RFE/RL’s journalist as suitable to broadcast programs and the press.

ARE YOU THE RIGHT CANDIDATE?

The successful candidate will have:

• Adequate journalistic experience in digital media and/or TV, spanning a minimum of 10 years, with experience working for at least 5 years as a full-time editor, responsible for every aspect of coverage, from assigning and supervising a team of reporters to editing the final product, ideally in an international multimedia organization.
• Proven production and management experience of at least 5 years in a position of a manager with a full responsibility of people management.
• Previous experience working in a multicultural or a multinational environment is preferred.
• Considerable knowledge of modern journalistic practices and techniques, in particular of designing and implementing a digital strategy, with defining the target audiences, range of products, delegated responsibilities and distribution strategies, and with creating a digital team, with a goal to produce products attractive to a digital audience.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with conflict, and to work with and through others in a collaborative fashion.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team, and to motivate others towards the achievement of common goals, while managing limited resources in an efficient manner.
• Demonstrating strong commitment to journalist integrity and objectivity.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in the native language.
• Thorough knowledge of the news needs for Belarus, and neighboring countries. Capable of assessing news reports from multiple news agencies and own sources.
• Broad, thorough and detailed knowledge of political, economic, and social situations in the broadcast area as well as international affairs acquired through studies, research, writing, travel, or other relevant experience or exposure.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, or related field or the equivalent in experience is preferred,

Languages:

• Belarusian, native language proficiency.
• English language – advanced; fluency in written and spoken English for the smooth functioning of operations and coordination with Prague. Mandatory
• Russian conversational proficiency strongly desired.

RFE/RL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Positions at RFE/RL are considered Public Trust Positions, with appointment contingent upon the positive outcome of a background investigation.

Only CVs and cover letters in English will be accepted.