Declassified is a small but growing media organisation that has become known for ground-breaking, critical journalism challenging the British establishment on UK foreign policy issues. We are making an impact and want to continue producing high quality journalistic outputs, both written and visual. We seek to appoint a Chief Investigator to scrutinise and expose Britain’s military and intelligence agencies and their impact on human rights and the environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Research opportunities for good investigations and work with the Editor and team to develop them.
• Conduct investigations (short- or deep-dive) into aspects of UK foreign policy and write these in short- or long-form for publication on our website, drawing on online open-source or confidential sources.
• Support the Editor by editing other journalists’ articles when required.
• Conduct video interviews for Declassified and external media to amplify investigations, and work with our video journalists to help create videos for our social media platforms.
• Work with all members of the Declassified team to promote our joint activities, which also include communications and fundraising.

Skills and Experiences Needed

Essential

• A strong, demonstrable track record of publishing high-quality media articles on issues related to UK foreign policy.
• Several years experience of conducting investigative work of the highest standard for media or related organisations. Evidence of research and writing reflecting balance and careful sourcing, and being underpinned by verifiable evidence.
• Excellent knowledge of UK foreign policy issues.
• Wide range of contacts/sources both in the UK and internationally.
• Experience of editing work in a media-related organisation.
• Ability to speak professionally, clearly and in an engaging way on camera.
• Knowledge of media law and libel issues in journalism.
• Strong understanding of Declassified’s journalism and full commitment to our principles.
• A collaborative working style conducive to a small organisation.
• Native English language skills, the right to live and work in the UK and based here.

Desirable

• Additional languages such as Arabic, French, Spanish or Hebrew.
• Experience of developing and working with news packages (stories that can be published across different platforms).
• Experience of using social media for journalism.
• Experience of undercover investigations and secret filming.

Process For Applying

Applicants should email: a CV, a cover letter of two pages maximum showing how you meet the ‘skills and experiences needed’, a list of your publications and videos with weblinks, and the names, positions and email addresses of two referees.

Please send this email with ‘chief investigator’ in the subject line to: Mark Curtis, mark@declassifieduk.org

Deadline for submissions is: Friday 28 March. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated strictly confidentially.

Location: Home-based but with opportunity to access our London office.
Hours: We operate a four day working week, from Monday-Thursday.
Salary: £50,000.
Benefits: We operate a pension scheme and flexible and generous terms and conditions for holiday allowance (25 days paid leave), and paternity/maternity leave.
Contract: Standard work contract, including three months probationary period.
Declassified is an equal opportunity employer.