Position description

Application deadline: 12th April 2021

The Gecko Project is a non-profit journalism organisation that investigates the role of land use in some of the most pressing global challenges: climate change, deforestation, the collapse of biodiversity, food security, the rights of marginalised communities and the health of democracies. We harness the power of investigative journalism and storytelling to catalyse change that will protect the environment and human rights. Since the project began in 2017, our reporting has focused principally on Indonesia but we cover issues of international concern and our stories are frequently transnational in nature. We operate on a partnership model, collaborating with larger media organisations to maximise our reach and impact.

Our award-winning team is growing, and we are looking for a talented investigative reporter to join us as we expand our investigations in Indonesia and globally. When we reach full capacity in 2021, the successful candidate will be part of a team of six.

The role

The investigative reporter will play a central and wide-ranging role in The Gecko Project’s investigations. They will help shape the direction of our investigations, identify leads and story ideas, carry out desk-based research, interviews, and fieldwork. They will be involved in fact checking, level reviews and production of outputs, including but not limited to articles and films.

The successful candidate will likely be an experienced journalist with a track record in investigations and in-depth reporting (online, print, radio or TV journalism) and a desire for their reporting to be a catalyst for positive change. But we are also open to less experienced candidates with bags of potential or people from other work backgrounds. We are particularly interested in finding candidates with exceptional writing ability.

You don’t need a background in environment, land rights, climate change or corruption reporting but you will be able to demonstrate an interest in covering these issues. You will be used to working both independently and as part of a team.

You’ll be excited about working collaboratively with a small international team and willing to travel internationally (in line with current health guidelines).

Responsibilities

• Develop investigations working in collaboration with The Gecko Project’s editor and impact editor.
• Carry out desk-based research.
• Analyse complex and sometimes messy data, in English and other languages.
• Write internal research dossiers.
• Manage research by other reporters/researchers, including those in other countries who may not have English as a first language.
• Travel to Southeast Asia on reporting assignments (in line with current health guidelines).
• Cultivate sources.
• Interview sources.
• Identify story leads.
• Write short articles, news features and longform to an exceptional standard.
• Work on production of films and other media.
• Edit and fact check copy.
• Present the results of our investigations in public meetings and webinars.

Qualifications

Essential experience and skills

• Experience carrying out investigations or complex, in-depth research, whether as a journalist or in an equivalent field.
• Demonstrable experience working on complex, in-depth projects.
• Exceptional writing skills.
• Demonstrable commitment to and interest in investigative journalism.
• Ability to write concise, accurate and appealing copy.
• A passion for journalism that holds power to account.
• Willingness to take on ad hoc administrative tasks as required.
• A desire to help build and grow the organisation.

Desirable experience and skills

• Experience in data journalism, film production, audio production, GIS analysis and/or photography.
• Experience in collaborative journalism projects.
• Experience working internationally (i.e. in a country other than your home country).
• Foreign language skills, particularly Bahasa Indonesia.
• Experience with researching/reporting on healthcare and/or food security.

What we can offer you

• Work with a team of experts committed to high-quality reporting on issues of global importance.
• A commitment to helping grow your experiences and skillset and advance your career.
• A flexible working environment.
• Fixed-term six month contract, full-time, to be renewed subject to funding.
• Competitive remuneration.

This is a remote position and you can be based anywhere in the world. The position will require international travel. As an equal opportunity employer, The Gecko Project values diversity and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace.

Application instructions

Please send a CV, a cover letter explaining any relevant experience and why you think you are well suited to the role, and two published examples of your work to TOMJ[at]THEGECKOPROJECT.ORG with the subject line “Investigative Reporter (International)”.