THE JOB

The English-speaking correspondent in Beirut is part of a team of six text journalists (among them the bureau chief) working in Arabic, English and French.

The workload can be intense and time consuming. Many days will include multiple news breaks and alert series. You must have the ability to write fast, lively and accurate wraps, as well as scene, focus or analysis pieces that need to be quickly turned around.

As well as covering Lebanon and its current devastating economic and political crisis, you will contribute to AFP’s coverage of Syria.

The Damascus bureau falls under the responsibility of Beirut and material from the bureau and from stringers across Syria, including in conflict zones, is dealt with by Beirut.

You should be a self-starter, brimming with ideas and creativity.

Solid news judgment, the energy and drive to work in a high-pressure environment, the initiative to generate stories and uncover interesting angles, imagination and a spirit of adventure are essential qualities.

You should have a keen eye for the visual and multimedia aspect of coverage and closely coordinate with the photo, video and graphics departments.

You will ensure the credibility and reliability of our coverage.

You will ensure Iris360 events are up to date to enable our clients and our bureaux to plan for upcoming news events and their coverage. You will also link your production to the relevant event, to enable clients to access it through the event.

You will closely monitor social media and strictly adhere to the Agency's guidelines on social media activity.

You will contribute to the fight against misinformation by offering any assistance needed to the digital investigation teams in the network and you will ensure that you are trained in the various methods of online verification, now indispensable for all journalism. Online training is available here.

As a general rule, you will commit to respecting AFP's ethics charter as well as all the editorial guidelines in force and in the Agency's style guide.

You may have to work long days and a wide range of hours, including early mornings and late nights, as well as weekends, and be regularly on call.

You must show calm under pressure, patience and common sense, and have a spirit of cooperation and collaborative dialogue.

In an ever-changing media environment, the nature of the job could evolve in line with coverage demands and the requirements of an increasingly diverse client base.

SKILLS REQUIRED

The successful applicant will have:

• Perfect English
• Excellent Arabic is essential and strong French would be a plus
• Strong writing skills to produce concise news copy, compelling focus/analysis pieces and lively features
• Solid news judgment and the ability to generate stories and uncover interesting angles in all fields from politics, economics, culture and lifestyle
• Capacity to react quickly to breaking news, but remain calm under pressure
• Ability to work as part of close-knit team
• Hostile environment training would be a plus

APPLICATIONS

Please send CV & cover letter to:

Beirut Bureau Chief: [email protected]

Middle East and North Africa editor-in-chief: [email protected]

MENA Regional Director: [email protected]