Assistant Editor, MENA Region (Fixed Term Contract Position)

Title: Assistant Editor, MENA Region

Position Type: Fixed Term Contract (8 months)

Department: MENA Programs

Compensation: USD $130-$160/day, DoE

Duration: 8 months (Expected level of effort is ~19 days per month)

Location: Remote in MENA region or similar timezone

Reports to: Specialist Editor, MENA

Closing Date: This contract needs to be filled urgently. Contractors should submit their CVs for consideration as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the contract position is filled.

Overview:

The Assistant Editor, MENA is responsible for writing, editing, and publishing a range of content—including but not limited to news alerts, statements, feature stories, and social media posts—in line with CPJ’s press freedom mission and regional priorities.

The Assistant Editor, MENA role is embedded within the MENA program and reports to the Specialist Editor, MENA, working closely with the Regional Director and wider team. This is a fixed term contract position open to applicants who are based remotely either within the MENA region or from location that is within 2-3 hours of the MENA region's working core hours.

Scope of Work includes:

• Under the direction of the Specialist Editor and/or Regional Director - MENA Programs: write, edit and publish content across CPJ’s platforms, including the website, social media channels and newsletters, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and timeliness
• Produce and adapt content for distribution via email campaigns and newsletters, including through Mailchimp
• Contribute to, and support CPJ’s social media strategy, tailoring content for different platforms and audiences
• Maintain a consistent editorial voice, and uphold CPJ’s standards and style
• Edit, and publish daily content on CPJ’s various publishing platforms in a timely manner
• Work in a time zone within approximately 2–3 hours of the region’s core working hours
• Master CPJ’s internal knowledge management system (Carta) to keep the organization’s data updated
• Coordinate with Regional Editor, MENA to establish priorities

Contractor’s expected experience level and skills:

• One to three years experience editing for an English-language publication (college newspaper experience counts)
• Strong knowledge of the MENA region and its media landscape
• Full professional proficiency in English, with strong editing skills
• Working knowledge of Arabic preferred
• Strong news judgment, and the ability to produce clear, concise copy under deadline