Political Correspondent

at  Mediahuis

Job Title:
Political Correspondent
Function:
News
Department:
Editorial
Reporting to:
Political Editor
Role Purpose
The Political Correspondent will be a key member of the Mediahuis Ireland political team. They will work closely with the Political Editor to provide quality political coverage across the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent, and the wider group as necessary. The ideal candidate will have key role in the Sunday Independent’s political output and develop a close working relationship with its Editor and Head of News.
Originating high-quality newsworthy stories and content and treating these creatively for both diary and off-diary stories will play a significant part of the role on a daily basis. The role requires the correspondent to have extensive contact books, and to operate cross-functionally with the editorial and political teams to ensure Mediahuis Ireland provides cutting-edge political news and analysis.
The successful candidate will be well versed in creating innovative online content in line with our video and podcast strategy. They will regularly contribute video/audio content and devise new, innovative ways of improving our video offering.

Role Responsibilities (Overview)

• Create, write and edit up-to-date, accurate, balanced and engaging multimedia political content for Mediahuis Ireland publications. In particular the candidate will ensure the Sunday Independent has exclusive political coverage and insights.
• React quickly, accurately and professionally to breaking news, keeping stories updated across digital and social platforms.
• Work across the wider politics teams and liaise with the news desk and editors in providing coverage.
• Consistently break major political/news stories and write agenda-setting analysis.
• Create, develop and organise major projects, stories and supplements that will increase reader engagement.
• Develop new methods of coverage for politics on a cross-platform basis to drive traffic and engagement online. This includes audio, video and social media.
• Work to ensure all major news is broken on Mediahuis’ digital platforms.
• Write SEO-friendly headlines where necessary.
• Copy editing
• Engage with the Audience Desk to help achieve relevant targets – particularly in relation to politics.
• Carry out your duties at all times in accordance with Mediahuis’ Editorial Code of Practice and relevant professional and legal codes

Experience & Qualifications (Minimum Experience & Essential Knowledge)

• Proven experience as a politics reporter, with demonstrated ability to break news and write agenda-setting commentary.
• An outstanding grasp of Irish and global politics.
• Experience working in an online environment

Skills (technical & non-technical)

Technical & Non-Technical

• Written / Digital journalism
• Copy editing
• Ability in Audio/Video
• Broad general knowledge and understanding of the news agenda across news, politics business, entertainment and sport
• News judgement
• Managing a wide and varied mix of stories
• Use social media and other digital tools to source news information and to promote our journalism
• Team player - working with other journalists and editors to manage situations.
• Meet rolling deadlines
• Organisation – ability to plan towards deadlines
• Excellent knowledge of libel law
• Ability to represent the titles in a positive manner on broadcast media and at external events as necessary

Other

• Passion for journalism
• Creative Flair
• Ability to work at speed and under pressure
• Ability to Conceptualise
• Self-starting and shows initiative
• Accuracy, fairness, balance, commitment to ethics
• Flexibility / willingness to adapt
• Detail Oriented
• Effective Collaboration
• Learning Agility

• Create, write and edit up-to-date, accurate, balanced and engaging multimedia political content for Mediahuis Ireland publications. In particular the candidate will ensure the Sunday Independent has exclusive political coverage and insights.
• React quickly, accurately and professionally to breaking news, keeping stories updated across digital and social platforms.
• Work across the wider politics teams and liaise with the news desk and editors in providing coverage.
• Consistently break major political/news stories and write agenda-setting analysis.
• Create, develop and organise major projects, stories and supplements that will increase reader engagement.
• Develop new methods of coverage for politics on a cross-platform basis to drive traffic and engagement online. This includes audio, video and social media.
• Work to ensure all major news is broken on Mediahuis’ digital platforms.
• Write SEO-friendly headlines where necessary.
• Copy editing
• Engage with the Audience Desk to help achieve relevant targets – particularly in relation to politics.
• Carry out your duties at all times in accordance with Mediahuis’ Editorial Code of Practice and relevant professional and legal code