Science Desk Correspondent

OVERVIEW

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This full-time correspondent is well-versed in the complexities of global health and the broad range of private and public programs and research that relate to global health, including, but not limited to: the World Health Organization, USAID, and leading infectious disease agencies and research institutes in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe. We’re looking for a great storyteller who can move seamlessly between covering breaking news and producing deeply reported feature stories. The ideal candidate is able to get close to the ground overseas where people interact with the health care systems, and then step back to tell the larger story in a way that engages the audience each and every time.

NPR’s global health correspondents have a thorough understanding and deep interest in biomedical research, in clinical medicine, and in the many ways that access to care affects lives. This position involves a significant amount of  overseas reporting and travel.

Successful NPR correspondents develop leads for enterprise stories and report and produce special projects for broadcast, podcast and digital audiences. They initiate and develop short-term feature stories and in-depth enterprise reports; file brief news spots and digital posts; and help prepare multimedia presentations. They are comfortable meeting tight deadlines for quick-turn broadcast segments and digital stories and also keeping long-term projects on track.

This is a union represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA.

All applications must include a coverage memo describing how you will cover the beat and some of the key lines of reporting you would pursue, no longer than one and a half pages; links to no more than 5 of your strongest clips; and a resume

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Present global health news and information in such a way that our audience clearly understands the significance.
• Evaluate global infectious disease outbreaks for severity and stay ahead of trends in prediction, prevention and treatment, always grounding the reporting in reputable, evidence-based science.
• Concentrate on issues of global health equity and how access impacts health and well-being.
• Monitor trends in how health care is delivered in lower income countries.
• Get in front of changes in health care in lower income countries following the pandemic emergency, in terms of the way people receive care, or how health systems have been strengthened or weakened.
• Find new ways into long-running stories about global health and wellness – such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes, neglected infectious diseases and maternal and infant mortality.
• Evaluate research and studies for strengths, weaknesses and relevance to our audience, and explain it clearly and succinctly.
• Vetting research prior to the pitch process, along with identifying essential elements of a story and anticipating issues of balance or fairness. Explain why the story is worthy of attention and why a listener/reader should care.
• Actively cultivate sources from under-represented and diverse communities.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 5 years’ experience reporting in a daily or weekly national news organization.
• At least 5 years’ experience reporting on evidence-driven biomedical, health or science news.
• Proven experience in reporting from lower income countries.
• Prepare and present reports in newsworthy, original, compelling and provocative ways. Demonstrated understanding in the difference between writing for audio and writing for text.
• This work will appear on all platforms from broadcast to online to podcast and newscast.  The candidate must be skilled in multi-platform reporting and thinking in those terms.
• Use  web-based journalism and a broad range of multimedia to engage the audience and help build a community around NPR’s global health coverage.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health news, feature and investigative reporting techniques.
• Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions.
• Ability to work overseas in difficult conditions.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts.
• Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Three years’ reporting experience in global health,  demonstrating a deep and extensive knowledge of the beat, including regular strong enterprise reporting.
• Proven experience reporting in disaster zones, such as infectious disease outbreaks,  recovery efforts from hurricanes or  earthquakes.
• Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, even in complicated situations.
• Three years’ experience reporting  in broadcast news or podcast format at national or international level.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

WORK LOCATION

• Remote Permitted: This is a remote permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, DC office but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves.

JOB TYPE

• This is a full time, exempt position.

COMPENSATION

The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $130,000 - $145,000. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum annual rate NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees. 

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

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