Reporter-researcher

We are looking for a reporter/researcher to join our bureau in Nairobi, who will produce original work from Kenya on a broad range of themes, including climate, politics, inequality, conflict and geopolitical tensions. The primary responsibility will be to assist the chief Africa correspondent in reporting and writing, with an emphasis on supporting the accuracy and breadth of Times stories.

In this role you will help to cover the story of Kenya and the East Africa region. You will cover the news accurately and efficiently for The Times’s wide range of media, including online, print and audio. The job includes obtaining information through interviews, on-site reporting, research, and news services, and working with other reporters and stringers. As a reporter/researcher you will ascertain and evaluate the facts relevant to the assignment, presenting work clearly and in conformity with style, length or other requirements. This role will also be required to discover and cultivate news sources and contacts; and follow news trends closely, including providing a weekly roundup of news stories to the bureau chief and other Times journalists. The ideal candidate will be well organized and a self-starter. 

This is a full-time role reporting to the chief Africa correspondent in Nairobi. Please note that although the working days for this role are usually Monday to Friday, you must be able to work occasionally on some Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, when news demands.

Main responsibilities:

• Work closely with the bureau chief, correspondents and editors to identify, research and write high-impact stories
• Present facts and analysis in clear written or other form and in conformity with style, length and other requirements, and help to develop high-impact stories from the broader themes that underpin incremental news developments
• Cultivate and maintain a wider range of sources and contacts
• Monitor current events across local news media, and provide updates and briefings for our correspondents and editors
• Obtain information through interviews, observations and research. Conduct interviews with sources, independently or in collaboration with correspondents, on reporting trips in Kenya and across the region.
• Provide translation from Swahili to English and vice versa for correspondents and other journalists
• Monitor social media, traditional media and trends for story ideas, and to aid reporting
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world
• Other tasks as required by newsroom management

Ideal candidate:

• Fluency in English is essential, with proficiency in Swahili and at least one vernacular preferred
• Good news judgment and knowledge of East African politics and culture
• Strong writing ability
• Newsgathering skills, including use of social media
• Meticulous organizational skills; ability to prioritize with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Ability to use content management software
• Familiarity with research tools such as Factiva and Nexis, and ability to analyze data

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Sunday 8th June 2025.

REQ-018314

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The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. To do so, we embrace a diverse workforce that has a broad range of backgrounds and experiences across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. We encourage people from all  backgrounds to apply.

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