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NYC Job Opportunity: Writer/Reporter

The Open Society Institute's Youth Media program is looking for a part-time writer/editor to help re-shape the Youth Media Reporter (YMR). YMR began in February 2001 as an e-mail newsletter sponsored by the Open Society Institute's Youth Initiatives Program. Providing a forum for collecting and sharing information for people working in the field and those interested in learning more, YMR aimed to synthesize and present important information such as grant opportunities, events, research and best practices in addition to original articles. YMR linked directly to OSI's Youth Media website to create a larger youth media information portal (www.soros.org/youth).

The Youth Initiatives Program would like to reconceptualize the format, structure, and content of the Youth Media Reporter so that it effectively communicates important information to stakeholders in the Youth Media field. The overall goal of the YMR is to strengthen the Youth Media community by keeping practitioners abreast of important developments; creating a forum for interested parties to share thoughts and concerns; and encouraging the exchange of ideas related to important issues, trends, and projects. This job therefore requires a writer who is innovative, creative, and interested in the youth media field.

Ideally, applicants should be available to work from OSI's offices for two to four hours per month, and to work off-site for the remaining time. The writer/editor will be hired by OSI as a contracted consultant. The contract will be for an initial 6 month pilot phase, which will be subject to renewal. The consultant will work in conjunction with OSI staff to develop this project. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, list of 3 references and two writing samples.

Skills

Strong writing ability & journalism skills
Experience in or knowledge of the youth media or youth development fields
Project leadership and management skills
Ability to work independently
Creative thinker
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to interact with diverse communities
Experience in website content development a plus
Ability to meet deadlines

Duties

Conceptualize and lead project's development, and manage project's ongoing operations

Develop original content for dissemination on website and possibly via other publications

Communicate with practitioners and people in the field

Manage open call for articles - receiving, evaluating, editing submissions

Create listserv announcements publicizing new content

Develop framework for utilizing OSI's website that is consistent with project vision

Outreach to broaden readership and listserv membership

Conduct informal audience research on utility of the YMR

Deadline for applications is Friday, August 8th, 2003
Applications can be mailed to:
Rachel Hurley
Senior Program Assistant
Youth Initiatives Program
Open Society Institute
400 West 59th Street
New York,NY10019

or emailed to: rhurley@sorosny.org