Supervising Editor, Global Health

OVERVIEW

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Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Intro to Position

NPR is looking for a smart, enthusiastic leader to guide our enterprise and high impact, human-centered, global health and development coverage.  

The Supervising Editor for Global Health will have a strong vision and a nuanced understanding of this  vital beat. The successful candidate will challenge us as we strive for new, creative ways to report on this  dynamic area of coverage.  

This person will be a key-member of the decision-making team on the Science Desk, which is comprised of more than 25 correspondents and editors working across platforms – news magazines,  newscasts, digital and podcasts. As well as global health, the Science Desk covers domestic health and the  general sciences.

The Supervising Editor for Global Health will also help to guide and support the desk’s larger multiplatform digital efforts. The editor will have excellent news judgment, is flexible and will work collaboratively with reporters and editors across the newsroom. This position will support staff to be forward thinking  and relevant to our audiences, our newsroom and our partners.  

The Supervising Editor for Global Health will report to the Chief Science Editor. 

This position is Remote Permitted. Standard working hours will be Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm ET, however work outside of these hours may be required to respond to breaking news and/or calls with international contacts. Roughly one weekend per month, this roll will be ‘on-call’ should breaking news arise. 

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.    

To be considered for this position, it is essential you submit your application by Monday, February 9th at 5pm and include the following:

• A CV/resume
• A 1-page cover letter covering your career highlights & what you see yourself bringing to NPR & the Global Health Desk.
• Please include links to 3-5 clips within the cover letter.

Responsibilities

The Supervising Editor for Global Health oversees multiplatform coverage by a group of reporters and editors focused on chronic health and development issues in lower income countries. 

• Partner with other Science Desk editors, NPR shows, Newscast and digital editors to coordinate global health coverage on multiple platforms.  
• Supervise at least five direct reports, including preparing their regular performance reviews, and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring, promotion, and discipline for these positions.
• Generate story ideas, reviews pitches and edits coverage. The editor will also help develop creative storytelling approaches and sources, and determine the best platform for the team’s coverage, including making suggestions for network interviews. 
• Collaborate with desk deputies and Chief Science Editor to set coverage priorities for beats and themes.
• Advocate on behalf of the Science Desk, including attending the network’s daily morning news  meeting on a regular basis.  
• Maintain highest-quality broadcast, text and multimedia standards. 
• Effectively coach reporting and production staff. 
• Work with a minimum of supervision, even in complicated situations. 
• Anticipate and respond to programming needs, breaking news and in-depth features.
• Cultivate and support an inclusive and equitable workplace culture. 

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

• 10+ years experience as a daily news editor or producer, with at least 3 years of experience as a senior editor/producer level or above. 
• 4+ years supervisory experience, with a demonstrated record of leading journalists in pursuit of ambition stories. 
• 3+ years experience reporting, editing or producing health/science coverage, with a focus on global health & development strongly preferred. 
• Professional experience covering international news including on-the-ground coverage within lower income countries.  
• Track record as a creative storyteller and editor across journalistic forms, and across a variety of  media. 
• An engaged journalist with solid news judgment and familiar with the 24-hour news cycle.
• Considerable skill in both news and enterprise editing. 
• Excellence in written and oral communication skills. 
• A teamwork mentality, flexibility, and a proven ability to consistently work well with others,  demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public  media system. 
• Strong grasp of journalistic ethics. Experience maintaining high journalistic standards including  standards of objectivity, balance, accuracy and fairness. Ability to handle multiple and complex  projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions. Ability to  work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure. 
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts, when necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in international broadcast reporting or producing.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

Work Location & Requirements

• Remote-Permitted: This role is based out of our Washington, D.C. office, but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) on-site at an NPR facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position. This includes at least 5 days/year working from NPR’s Washington DC HQ.

Job Type

• This is a full-time, exempt position.

Compensation

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $168,000 - $178,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR 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.

You may read NPR’s privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.

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