Important: To be eligible, you must be aged 16-24 and currently receiving Universal Credit. Consult with your work coach to check your eligibility. For more information see here. 

About The Role

Local News Journalist (Crime Reporter) is an exciting role working for a fast-growing social enterprise local news organisation. The 25-hour per week role will involve writing local news on crime and criminal justice issues for Social Spider CIC’s five local news publications Waltham Forest Echo, Barnet Post, Enfield Dispatch, Haringey Community Press and EC1 Echo.

The main responsibilities of the role are:

• Writing and editing articles for the newspaper,
• Developing the newspaper’s online presence by regularly uploading articles to the website and updating social media platforms,
• Developing relationships with the local community by developing local contacts, forging new partnerships and acting as the public face of the newspapers,
• Attending court and reporting on cases with relevance to the local areas we cover.

It’s a great opportunity for an up-and-coming journalist to develop their reporting skills working for a growing local news group.

The role will involve a mixture of working from home, attending court and working from Social Spider’s Enfield office at Nicholas House, River Front, Enfield EN1 3TF

Social Spider CIC is a social enterprise developing a new, sustainable approach to local news with publications that are committed to holding power to account, promoting knowledge and understanding within communities, and amplifying the voices of local people.

Skills and Experience:

This is a role for someone who is keen to develop a career in journalism – and is interested in local news and media.

The essential requirements for the role are:

• strong writing skills,
• good communication skills,
• strong organisational skills,
• experience of using social media,
• ability to work independently,
• ability to work under pressure and meet deadline.

It would also be useful for applicants to have some of the following:

• knowledge and understanding of criminal justice issues,
• knowledge and understanding of journalism law,
• a passion for local news.

How To Apply

Please send a CV and covering to: david@socialspider.com by Saturday 15th January 2022 – you must be eligible for the Kickstart scheme to be appointed to this role. Please mention Journo Resources when you apply, it really helps us out.

About Social Spider CIC

Social Spider Community Interest Company (CIC) is a not-for-profit social enterprise that publishes five community newspapers – and carries out research and consultancy projects focused on social enterprise and social innovation.

It is developing a new, sustainable social enterprise model for local news that holds power to accounts, and represents and amplifies the voices of local communities.

For more information on Social Spider CIC’s approach to local news, go to our Medium.