OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
INTEGRATED REGIONAL INFORMATION NETWORKS (IRIN)
CHIEF SUB-EDITOR
POSITION TITLE: Chief Sub-Editor
GRADE: [L-3 or ALD- 3/4]
POST: Expert
DUTY STATION: Nairobi
DURATION: Twelve months
SUPERVISOR: Editor-In-Chief
CONTENT AND METHODOLOGY: Guidance and support from IRIN
1. BACKGROUND
Part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) is an editorially independent humanitarian news service covering 46 developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and 14 in Asia and the Middle East. Further to the UN's cooperation with developing countries, IRIN aims to provide comprehensive and impartial coverage of humanitarian and related issues in the regions where it operates. Intended for the benefit of a global readership, an emphasis is made on assisting governments and other organizations to implement their humanitarian and post-disaster recovery work in developing countries.
2. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Based in Nairobi and under the direct supervision of the Editor-In-Chief, the Chief Sub-Editor will direct and manage the subs desk. She/He will be responsible for editing content generated by IRIN's global news operation. She/he will also work in tandem with the Heads of Newsrooms, Online Editor, Head of Photography, field-based humanitarian reporters and stringers. She/He will also liaise and work with the Heads of Units of PlusNews, films/video, Audio/Radio, and In-depth/Analysis.
3. SPECIFIC DUTIES
His/her specific duties include:
1. Assign and supervise the Subs and serve as link between newsgathering, production and online desks. Maintain high level of quality subbing of all editorial content and ensure that it contains all the key elements and has no errors of fact;
2. Supervise sub-editing to ensure that all editorial content is correct in terms of grammar, punctuation and spelling, and that writing has been tightened and refined without changing its original meaning or tone;
3. Supervise all news, features, special reports, in-depth and analysis, and monitor editorial content to ensure all components are consistent and comply with IRIN's standards of accuracy, balance and style;
4. Maintain high level of quality of headlines, ensuring that they are specific, creative and accurate and fair portrayals of the story content;
5. Maintain an even flow of copy and ensure that deadlines are met, schedule sub-editors to ensure adequate staffing for all subs job;
6. Assist the editorial team in editing stories, writing headlines and captions, and designing and producing stories, special reports, features and in-depth sections;
7. Train and mentor staff in all aspects of sub-editing when required and ensure that they become familiar with IRIN's processes, procedures and house style.
4. UN COMPETENCIES
Professionalism – Advanced knowledge of the use of information management to improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance; ability to analyze and articulate the information management requirements of complex situations requiring a coordinated UN response; demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment to ensure the effective and timely completion of complex tasks; ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system;
Empowering Others – Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; Encourages others to set challenging goals; Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility.
Client Orientation – Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients; environments to keep informed and anticipate problems; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.
Commitment to Continuous Learning – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field.
Communications – Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations to staff at senior levels, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style.
Planning & Organizing – Ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
Technology Awareness – Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internal databases, Internet, etc.
Teamwork – Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
5. QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferable in a relevant field, such as journalism, political science, sociology, law, international relations. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in journalism or related field, humanitarian experience an advantage;
- Full proficiency in written and spoken English essential, working knowledge of French and Arabic would be an advantage;
- Excellent inter-personal and communications skills;
- Ability to work with minimum supervision, with efficiency, competence and integrity with people of different national backgrounds;
- Computer literacy.
