Job Title: Reporter (Farming & Rural Affairs)

Function: Publishing

Department: Editorial

Reporting to: Farming Editor

Role Purpose

We are seeking to hire a Reporter for the farming section of the Irish Independent. The Reporter will be responsible for providing exclusive, quality farming journalism. The ideal candidate will have a track record in news, with strong contacts in the agri-food sector and will also be an excellent writer who can analyse stories and write news features as required. The role demands an ability to call a story, identify underlying themes and to explain complex developments crisply and accessibly for both an online and print audience. A solid understanding of the agri-food/farming sector is important.

Role Responsibilities (Overview)

• To break stories and be a champion for original journalism

• To be able to write analysis articles on complex issues in a concise and informative way

• Covering the breaking news and keeping stories updated across all digital and print platforms

• Building a strong network of contacts to maintain a flow of news ranging from political figures to the general public

• Collaborating with general news and other specialists, news editors, photographers and the Group Head of News in the newsroom

• Performing other duties on occasion as required by the Farming Editor or other relevant Editor

Experience & Qualifications (Minimum Experience & Essential Knowledge)

• At least two years’ experience as a journalist with a track record in breaking stories and original journalism

• Experience in writing about farming is an advantage

Skills

Behavioural

• Excellent news judgment

• Ability to generate original and engaging ideas

• Organisation skills – ability to meet deadlines and manage time and story demands

• Strong team player who can work with other departments across the business

• Self-starting, shows initiative, operate without supervision, motivated

• Accuracy, fairness, balance, commitment to ethics

• Creative flair

• Ability to conceptualise

• Decisiveness

• Flexibility / willingness to adapt to technological and other changes

Technical

• Engaging written and digital journalism

• Copy editing, including writing SEO and social friendly headlines

• Ability to maximise social media and other digital tools to source farming / rural news information – and to promote your journalism

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop

• Content Management System

• Good knowledge of libel law and relevant legislation, including contempt, privacy, copyright etc.

• Knowledge of the Editors’ Code of Practice and IPSO best practice..