Front lines TV correspondent, Kyiv

Reporting to the Chief Editor, News&Current Affairs. Correspondent initiates, prepares, produces, and delivers wide variety of journalistic material on multiple platforms (online, social media, web site) as assigned, relevant to the Channel's target audience and to RFE/RL mission, adhering to and striving to exceed RFE/RL content quality standards.

RFE/RL journalistic jobs are versatile and cover wide range of tasks and activities. Employees may need to acquire knowledge of and focus on different areas for their assignments or projects while in the same job and while being flexible in terms of time and location. Versatility and ability to flexibly respond to challenges of the fast changing world while maintaining the integrity and recognized quality of RFE/RL journalism are key to success for both RFE/RL and its employees.

MAIN DUTIES:

• Creates original content on a wide variety of topics and issues, from pieces to camera and short packages to features and analyses.
• Works as field correspondent and reporter on assignment, determining focus of reports.
• Covers multiple topics fast and accurately under pressure, adds the context. 
• Is ready to work during long business trips to the front line.
• Has contacts among the military, is able to independently reach agreements with them about filming.
• Conducts interviews in the studio or in the field. When able to draw on specialist knowledge, be ready to be interviewed or provide expertise as required.
• Moderates, delivers live, blogs, records, contributes, inputs online, shoots video and photos as required, coordinates other staff, sound and camera crews as necessary.
• Produces live or recorded content, as appropriate, using the available techniques, operates relevant technologies, tools and computer equipment, and/or directs specialists or other involved staff if assigned.
• Reacts to breaking news developments and is ready to report live (with both scripted and ad libitum commentary) or produce recorded pieces at short notice.
• Ready to work on weekends and outside hours if required by the breaking news developments.
• Maintains up–to–date familiarity with military, political, economic, and social developments in and related to Ukraine. Briefs himself/herself on latest news and issues prior to starting work day.
• Researches material and, exercising editorial judgment, selects reliable information from a varied range of reputable sources.
• Keeps deadlines and strives to meet or exceed RFE/RL standards for the quality of the output.
• Adheres to RFE/RL editorial standards at all times and takes editorial responsibility for all own material.
• Actively participates in feedback sessions.
• Is expected to regularly suggest viable coverage ideas and to contribute to programs planning.
• Explores innovative angles for coverage, ensuring relevance for the audience and to serve as an example for best practice journalism.
• Other duties may be added, as specified by management.

Competencies:       

• Willingness and ability to learn and to work with audio and video equipment, word processing tools, information research tools and new technologies and media platforms as well as to acquire or enhance the knowledge of journalistic practices relevant to the assignment.
• Possesses comprehensive content creation skills that can be held up as examples of best-practice journalism.
• Produces highly compelling content that is recognized for its high quality and attractiveness to the audience both in and outside RFE/RL.
• Has developed a network of original sources and cultivated several specific beats.
• Consistently pitches original ideas and meets or beats deadlines. Thinks outside the box.
• Displays innovative, creative, cross-platform approach to journalism in own work and in influencing others, resulting in viable suggestions for coverage and delivery.
• Takes full responsibility for own professional development both in terms of challenging assignments and in training.
• Has had substantial input into the RFE/RL output by contributing viable, creative suggestions in editorial meetings strives to increase the RFE/RL's impact.