Science Desk Correspondent
Job Details
Washington, DC (Remote Permitted)
Full Time
Job Location
Position Type
About NPR
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Description
Salary Range: $130,000 - $145,000 annually
This full-time correspondent is well-versed in the complexities of global health and the broad range of private and public programs and research that relate to global health, including, but not limited to: the World Health Organization, USAID, and leading infectious disease agencies and research institutes in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe. We’re looking for a great storyteller who can move seamlessly between covering breaking news and producing deeply reported feature stories. The ideal candidate is able to get close to the ground overseas where people interact with the health care systems, and then step back to tell the larger story in a way that engages the audience each and every time.
NPR’s global health correspondents have a thorough understanding and deep interest in biomedical research, in clinical medicine, and in the many ways that access to care affects lives. This position involves a significant amount of overseas reporting and travel.
Successful NPR correspondents develop leads for enterprise stories and report and produce special projects for broadcast, podcast and digital audiences. They initiate and develop short-term feature stories and in-depth enterprise reports; file brief news spots and digital posts; and help prepare multimedia presentations. They are comfortable meeting tight deadlines for quick-turn broadcast segments and digital stories and also keeping long-term projects on track.
This is a union represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA.
All applications must include a coverage memo describing how you will cover the beat and some of the key lines of reporting you would pursue, no longer than one and a half pages; links to no more than 5 of your strongest clips; and a resume
Responsibilities
Present global health news and information in such a way that our audience clearly understands the significance.
Evaluate global infectious disease outbreaks for severity and stay ahead of trends in prediction, prevention and treatment, always grounding the reporting in reputable, evidence-based science.
Concentrate on issues of global health equity and how access impacts health and well-being.
Monitor trends in how health care is delivered in lower income countries.
Get in front of changes in health care in lower income countries following the pandemic emergency, in terms of the way people receive care, or how health systems have been strengthened or weakened.
Find new ways into long-running stories about global health and wellness – such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes, neglected infectious diseases and maternal and infant mortality.
Evaluate research and studies for strengths, weaknesses and relevance to our audience, and explain it clearly and succinctly.
Vetting research prior to the pitch process, along with identifying essential elements of a story and anticipating issues of balance or fairness. Explain why the story is worthy of attention and why a listener/reader should care.
Actively cultivate sources from under-represented and diverse communities.
The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
At least 5 years’ experience reporting in a daily or weekly national news organization.
At least 5 years’ experience reporting on evidence-driven biomedical, health or science news.
Proven experience in reporting from lower income countries.
Prepare and present reports in newsworthy, original, compelling and provocative ways. Demonstrated understanding in the difference between writing for audio and writing for text.
This work will appear on all platforms from broadcast to online to podcast and newscast. The candidate must be skilled in multi-platform reporting and thinking in those terms.
Use web-based journalism and a broad range of multimedia to engage the audience and help build a community around NPR’s global health coverage.
Demonstrated knowledge of health news, feature and investigative reporting techniques.
Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions.
Ability to work overseas in difficult conditions.
Ability and willingness to work varied shifts.
Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Three years’ reporting experience in global health, demonstrating a deep and extensive knowledge of the beat, including regular strong enterprise reporting.
Proven experience reporting in disaster zones, such as infectious disease outbreaks, recovery efforts from hurricanes or earthquakes.
Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, even in complicated situations.
Three years’ experience reporting in broadcast news or podcast format at national or international level.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
WORK LOCATION
Remote Permitted: This is a remote permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, DC office but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves.