Managing Editor for Southeast Asia
Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a private, nonprofit international broadcasting corporation that broadcasts and publishes news, information, and commentary to Asian countries whose governments prohibit access to a free press. The Managing Editor for Southeast Asia must have a deep commitment to unbiased, high-quality journalism and astute skills in managing personnel in a complex, multicultural organization. Knowledge and understanding of Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, is strongly preferred. Leading by example, this individual will motivate and inspire journalists in gathering news under extremely challenging circumstances. Creativity in reaching RFA’s audience inside a severely restricted news environment in Asia is a must. This position will be based in RFA’s Washington, DC, headquarters.
Responsibilities Include
- Supervising the daily operations of the Burmese, Khmer, Lao, and Vietnamese language services in order to ensure timely, relevant multimedia programming for broadcast, online, and social media.
- Providing strong editorial leadership and managerial guidance to each of RFA’s four Southeast Asia Service Directors.
- Monitoring and maintaining quality control for all news programming produced by staff, as well as by contractors and stringers; and providing regular written evaluations of same.
- Keeping current on political, cultural, economic, and social developments in the region in order to inform programming decisions and to ensure programs are reaching their intended targets.
- Developing long-range programming plans in coordination with the Southeast Asia Service Directors in order to strengthen and expand the reach of RFA’s news programming.
- Overseeing all administrative issues of the Southeast Asia language services in close coordination with other RFA departments, including Technical Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Audience Research/Training/Program Evaluation, Legal, and Communications.
- Providing input as a member of RFA’s Senior Staff into guiding the overall direction of the organization and developing strategies to accomplish RFA’s mission as an independent, surrogate news source for Asia.
- Representing RFA leadership in contacts with other journalistic entities in the international media field.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Media Studies, or other related field from an accredited college or university; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum ten years’ working experience in Journalism, Editorial Management, or other related field.
- Minimum seven years’ experience in staff management.
- Experience working in a foreign and/or multicultural environment a plus.
- Excellent analytical and writing skills.
- Knowledge and understanding of current political, economic, and social conditions in Southeast Asia preferred.
- Strong editing skills and demonstrated ability to exercise unbiased, timely, and principled news analysis and judgment.
- Demonstrated managerial and problem-solving skills.
RFA is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.
RFA encourages all qualified individuals to apply. If hired, the candidate must provide proof of eligibility to work in the US as an employee of RFA. RFA reserves the right to reconsider or withdraw any offer of employment to any candidate whose authorization to work in the US as an employee of RFA, or extension of such authorization, would require RFA to file or support a petition or related documentation.
How to Apply
Send résumé with cover letter making reference to “Managing Editor, Southeast Asia” via e-mail to rfajobs@rfa.org