Deputy Section Editor, Health + Disability

Position Description

Role: Deputy Section Editor, Health + Disability

Reports to: Section Editor, Health + Medicine

Salary range: $75k (negotiable)

Contract: 2 year contract

Closing: 14th February 2022

Purpose of the Role:

The Conversation is looking for an experienced journalist to commission and edit health articles written by academic experts, with a specific focus on disability.

The Conversation’s unique publishing model pairs professional editors with academics to better inform public discourse. Editors work with academics and researchers to find out about the latest research and help translate their ideas into plain language so they can be shared with a wide audience. That means liaising with university partners and learning about what’s happening, especially new research.

The Deputy Section Editor, Health + Disability will be embedded with the Health + Medicine team, and will commission and edit articles for the section, as well as generating a stream of copy related to disability, including health and social policy. The Deputy Editor, Health + Disability will report to and work closely with the Section Editor, Health + Medicine, and will work alongside three other deputy editors in the section.

The successful applicant will be well informed about developments in the disability and/or health sector, and be passionate about developing new ideas. They will be well connected and able to generate strong networks in the disability sector.

The Conversation is a trusted journalism brand, and Deputy Section Editors need to protect our hard won credibility. They must be thoughtful, calm, methodical, rigorous and possess a deep commitment to professional impartiality and high ethical standards.

This position is supported by philanthropic funding and is for 2 years. Our offices are in Melbourne but we are open to applicants from anywhere in Australia.

The Conversation is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We particularly encourage applications from First Nations People and from those with a lived experience of disability.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Journalism experience
• An appetite for knowledge in health and disability affairs
• Creativity and the ability to generate compelling ideas
• Strong people skills and diplomacy
• The ability to build a strong network of contacts
• Highly developed research and analytical skills
• Polished presentation
• Care and attention to detail.

Please send us a copy of your CV and answers of no more than 200 words each to these three questions to [email protected] by February 14th 2022 (no cover letter required):

1) Tell us about your career and professional accomplishments.

2) Why have you applied for this role and why would you be a good fit for this position?

3) Tell us a little about yourself and the key factors that make you who you are. We particularly value all kinds of diversity and would like to hear anything about your background or experience that would enable you to bring something unique to our team.