Iraq Correspondent

The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the largest and most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day more than half the world’s population sees news from AP.

The Associated Press seeks a talented correspondent and news editor with a proven track record of developing sources and breaking stories to drive text coverage of Iraq from Baghdad.

Reporting to the News Director for Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, the successful candidate will be responsible for original reporting of major spot news developments in Iraq, seeking to consistently break news and produce distinct, deeply reported enterprise. The correspondent will also be expected to produce and contribute to high-impact, longer-term enterprise and investigative projects, and will help guide, edit and elevate the work of other AP journalists and freelancers contributing to our text report in Iraq. The successful candidate must have the ability and willingness to work at night and on weekends, or as coverage demands, as AP is a 24/7 operation.

The successful candidate will:

• have a demonstrated history of success as a reporter in the Middle East, with a record of creating and delivering compelling work on deadline that is illuminating.
• help manage and drive a team of journalists to excellence, delivering spot news and visually driven enterprise that breaks news, has impact and is exclusive to AP.
• have strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with the diverse team of journalists at the AP who operate in all formats: text, photo, video, audio, digital/social, interactive and graphics.
• have a great news sense, with the ability to communicate and drive stories that people will want to share, like and talk about on social media and other platforms.
• pursue innovative coverage techniques while maintaining AP’s standards for integrity and objectivity.

Qualifications:

This newsperson must have demonstrated excellence as a text reporter and/or editor, with a record of producing and editing exclusive and distinctive spot news and enterprise stories. Applicants must be able to break news quickly and accurately, and write in clear and compelling ways under tight deadlines. They must also be able to work adeptly and tactfully with colleagues and stringers in the field to guide their reporting and writing.  The successful candidate must be able to work effectively as a member of a team, and should have at least three years of full-time experience at a daily newspaper, news agency, broadcast station, online or digital news outlet.

Other qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Ability to secure authorization to work in Iraq will be mandatory.
• Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects across formats and deliver success on complex, challenging story lines.

Application Deadline:  July 17, 2019 @ 11:59 PM EST

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or status as a veteran in accordance with applicable nondiscrimination laws.