Role Purpose

The Local News Reporter (Dublin) is responsible for driving Dublin coverage on the Irish Independent in a timely, accurate and engaging fashion. The successful candidate will report to the duty News Editor under the overall direction of the Group Head of News.

Working to a seven-day roster, the role holder is responsible for identifying and writing Dublin news and lifestyle content in a fast-paced environment.

The Local News Reporter (Dublin) must have a strong news sense and be capable of working independently while taking care to ensure stories are verified, legally sound and fit for publication.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Newsdesk and Audience Team to ensure the Irish Independent’s Dublin coverage has a competitive edge and to increase audience engagement.

Role Responsibilities (Overview) 

• Work to ensure the Irish Independent has a broad range of relevant and engaging Dublin coverage.
• Write, edit and publish breaking news in a fast-paced environment.
• Develop story ideas and work closely with the duty News Editor.
• Report accurately on events and in a timely fashion.
• Monitor several news platforms and social media simultaneously.
• Help the Irish Independent achieve relevant targets in relation to Dublin news.
• Write SEO-friendly headlines where necessary.
• Copy editing to a high standard.
• Coordinate with the audio and video teams, ensuring they are fully briefed opportunities linked to Dublin content.  
• Collaborate with senior members of the newsroom.
• Carry out your duties at all times in accordance with INM’s Editorial Code of Practice and relevant professional and legal codes.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by your line manager from time to time.

Experience & Qualifications (Minimum Experience & Essential Knowledge) 

• At least 2 years’ journalistic experience.
• News reporting experience is essential.
• Experience working in an online environment.
• A demonstrated ability to cover breaking news.

Skills (technical & non-technical)

Technical & Non technical

• Written / Digital journalism
• Copy editing
• Broad general knowledge and understanding of the local Dublin news and events
• News judgement
• Managing a wide and varied mix of stories
• Social media and other digital tools to source information
• Self-starting and shows initiative 
• Flexibility / willingness to adapt  
• Team player - working with other journalists and editors to get the best stories
• Meet rolling deadlines
• Organisation – ability to plan towards deadlines
• Excellent knowledge of libel law
• Content Management System experience (ATEX) - authoring, editing, page layout, galleries, video

Other 

• Passion for journalism
• Creative flair
• Ability to work at speed and under pressure
• Ability to conceptualise
• Self-starting and shows initiative
• Accuracy, fairness, balance, commitment to ethics
• Flexibility / willingness to adapt
• Detail oriented
• Effective collaboration
• earning agility