WITNESS uses the power of video to open the eyes of the world to human rights abuses. By partnering with local organizations around the globe, WITNESS empowers human rights defenders to use video as a tool to shine a light on those most affected by human rights violations, and to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools of justice. Since its founding by Peter Gabriel and others in 1992, WITNESS has partnered with groups in more than 70 countries, bringing often unseen images, untold stories and seldom heard voices to the attention of key decision makers, the media, and the general public - prompting grassroots activism, political engagement, and lasting change. WITNESS is an independent nonprofit organization with an annual budget of $4,700,000 and a staff of thirty.
This year, to mark its 15th anniversary, WITNESS will launch a major new initiative - a participatory human rights media website called The Hub. The Hub represents an effort to expand the strategic use of video to create change online and offline, allowing anyone from anywhere in the world to upload video footage of human rights abuses using the internet and mobile devices, and providing a forum for individuals and online communities to organize action around video to make a difference. The Hub will become a powerful new destination for concerned citizens, activists, journalists, researchers and advocates.
WITNESS seeks a Hub Editorial Coordinator to ensure that the site is populated with content that meets the Hub’s editorial objectives and schedule, and contribute to defining the editorial standards, policies and direction of the site. They will also be the first line of content review for materials contributed to the website by organizations and individuals.
They will ensure that the website is regularly refreshed with newsworthy, timely and topical content, and will draw on content contributed to the Hub by Allies, individuals and other organizations, to highlight issues and break emerging stories by writing and commissioning strong journalistic formats such as interviews, commentaries and features.
A talented and inspiring writer, with solid journalistic skills, and a strong understanding of international human rights issues and frameworks, the Hub Editorial Coordinator will develop and shape the editorial voice of the Hub, within the overall direction set by the Hub Manager. The Hub Editorial Coordinator will work closely with the Hub Community Coordinator and interface with the Hub Technology Manager as needed as part of a dynamic, growing team.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Curation of content on the Hub
• Curate online human rights videos/media from user- and ally-contributed content, and provide editorial and contextual information on those videos/media for regular Hub features and for the Hub blog;
• Identify and develop editorial content related to special online campaigns around particular themes, issues or events, in collaboration with Hub Manager and Team, and other key colleagues;
• Identify and commission, with the Hub Manager and other key colleagues, people of interest to the Hub community to curate or write for the Hub website and blog.
• Serve as key contact person on editorial matters between members of the Hub community and WITNESS;
• Manage content-specific relationships with a portfolio of existing Hub Allies and work with Hub Manager and Hub Community Coordinator to develop new content-focused relationships with potential Allies;
• Prepare, post and/or facilitate Ally content updates and distribution;
Development of content review policies and processes for the Hub
• Be the first line of content review for content contributed to the Hub.
• Consult on, apply, monitor and refine globally-relevant content review policies for the Hub, in collaboration with the Hub Team, and where relevant, external partners and the Hub Community
• Review/screen content, videos, postings and resources according to guidelines and community standards, communicate with the Hub Community regarding guidelines and standards, and notify Hub Manager of repeat offenders;
• Contribute to identifying, briefing and supporting regional and thematic content review panels for content from specific regions of the world and on specific topics, with the Hub Manager and Team, Program Dept and other relevant colleagues;
• Assist in identifying and maintaining relationships with participants in the Hub community who may become Hub editorial contributors or community leaders, thematic or regional content reviewers or moderators;
Foster wider knowledge about content on the Hub
• Work with the Hub Team and Outreach Dept to develop messaging to the Hub community in the form of website text, blog entries and a regular e-newsletter;
• Develop monthly activity reports, with assistance from the Outreach and Technology Depts, on readership and response specifically to editorial content on the Hub;
• Work with Hub Community Coordinator to identify content or technical needs based on Hub community feedback and usage;
• Oversee translation of Hub curated and editorial content into additional languages, initially French and Spanish;
• Additional meta-tagging of content;
• Liaise with Outreach Dept to promote and raise awareness around upcoming Hub editorial and campaign content.
Additional Qualifications:
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Curation of content on the Hub
• Curate online human rights videos/media from user- and ally-contributed content, and provide editorial and contextual information on those videos/media for regular Hub features and for the Hub blog;
• Identify and develop editorial content related to special online campaigns around particular themes, issues or events, in collaboration with Hub Manager and Team, and other key colleagues;
• Identify and commission, with the Hub Manager and other key colleagues, people of interest to the Hub community to curate or write for the Hub website and blog.
• Serve as key contact person on editorial matters between members of the Hub community and WITNESS;
• Manage content-specific relationships with a portfolio of existing Hub Allies and work with Hub Manager and Hub Community Coordinator to develop new content-focused relationships with potential Allies;
• Prepare, post and/or facilitate Ally content updates and distribution;
Development of content review policies and processes for the Hub
• Be the first line of content review for content contributed to the Hub.
• Consult on, apply, monitor and refine globally-relevant content review policies for the Hub, in collaboration with the Hub Team, and where relevant, external partners and the Hub Community
• Review/screen content, videos, postings and resources according to guidelines and community standards, communicate with the Hub Community regarding guidelines and standards, and notify Hub Manager of repeat offenders;
• Contribute to identifying, briefing and supporting regional and thematic content review panels for content from specific regions of the world and on specific topics, with the Hub Manager and Team, Program Dept and other relevant colleagues;
• Assist in identifying and maintaining relationships with participants in the Hub community who may become Hub editorial contributors or community leaders, thematic or regional content reviewers or moderators;
Foster wider knowledge about content on the Hub
• Work with the Hub Team and Outreach Dept to develop messaging to the Hub community in the form of website text, blog entries and a regular e-newsletter;
• Develop monthly activity reports, with assistance from the Outreach and Technology Depts, on readership and response specifically to editorial content on the Hub;
• Work with Hub Community Coordinator to identify content or technical needs based on Hub community feedback and usage;
• Oversee translation of Hub curated and editorial content into additional languages, initially French and Spanish;
• Additional meta-tagging of content;
• Liaise with Outreach Dept to promote and raise awareness around upcoming Hub editorial and campaign content.
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL
• At least 3-4 years work experience in at least two of the following: journalism, human rights, and online community fields;
• Evidence of extensive professional editorial experience;
• Exceptional written and verbal communicative skills;
• Experience working collaboratively with non-governmental organizations, including in the global South;
• Attention to detail;
• Solid knowledge of MS Office;
DESIRABLE
• Basic-Intermediate Web production skills and/or experience working with large Content Management Systems preferred, e.g. Basic HTML knowledge (WSYWIG, Dreamweaver), Image editing and manipulation software (Photoshop, Imageready), video editing and processing software (Final Cut Pro);
• Oral and written fluency in English and at least one additional widely-spoken language;
PERSONAL PROFILE
• Passionate about communicating to a wide range of audiences in a compelling, accurate and engaging way;
• Passionate about the internet, media, human rights and online communities;
• Accustomed to delivering on tight deadlines;
• A sense of humor, hunger and energy for challenges, and a passion for social change
How to Apply:
SUBMISSIONS: Cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. Writing samples will be requested at a later stage from selected candidates. Please do not submit writing samples unless you are requested to do so.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Forward completed application materials to hubjobs@witness.org, with the subject line “Hub Coordinator” as soon as possible.
**PLEASE DO NOT SEND DUPLICATE APPLICATIONS VIA MAIL OR EMAIL.
No phone calls will be accepted. Due to the volume of applicants anticipated, we will not be able to respond individually to each applicant and will only be contacting those applicants that we feel best meet our criteria.
WITNESS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE CAREFULLY CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR ALL POSITIONS WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL OR VETERAN STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.
http://www.witness.org