Role: Senior Journalist – Maternity Cover

Department: Editorial

Function: Publishing

Reporting to: News Editor

Role Purpose

The Irish Independent is recruiting for an experienced journalist who can provide exclusive, signature journalism.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with a strong track record in breaking stories. He/she should be an excellent writer who can work off-diary and originate their own journalism. They will also work on breaking news stories as required.

They 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 on Mediahuis Ireland’s digital platforms.

The role demands an ability to call a story, identify underlying themes and to explain the detail to readers in an accessible way.

The successful candidate will regularly contribute to our video and podcast output.

They will report to the News Editor under the overall direction of the Group Head of News.  This is a specific purpose contract

Role Responsibilities (Overview)

• Develop story ideas and work closely with the Newsdesk  

• Work to ensure major/original news stories are broken by the Irish Independent  

• Write, edit and digitally enhance news stories in a fast-paced environment 

• Calmly handle live, breaking news situations 

• Report accurately on events and in a timely fashion 

• Copy editing 

• Work collaboratively with News Editors and with other senior members of the newsroom 

• Engage with the Audience Desk to help the Irish Independent project our news coverage in the best fashion possible.  

• Work with the Audio department on podcasts such as The Indo Daily.

• Carry out your duties at all times in accordance with Mediahuis’ Editorial Code of Practice and relevant professional and legal codes 

Experience & Qualifications (Minimum Experience & Essential Knowledge)

• At least 3 years’ journalistic experience 

• News reporting experience is essential 

• Experience working in an online environment 

• Experience in audio/video is an advantage but not essential

Skills (Technical & Non-Technical)

Technical & Non-Technical

• Written / Digital journalism 

• Copy editing 

• Broad general knowledge and understanding of the Irish news agenda  

• Strong news judgement 

• Managing a wide and varied mix of stories 

• Use social media and other digital tools to source news information and to promote our journalism 

• 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  

• Understanding of audio/podcast environment.

• Ability to shoot video footage using a mobile phone.

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 

• Learning Agility