Beat Reporter (Volunteer)

Remote

Volunteer

Editorial

Experienced

Beat Reporter - Remote (Volunteer)

*Note: The following is an opportunity for flexible, part-time, volunteer work. Please DO NOT APPLY if you are only looking for paid employment. All positions are remote/ work-from-home.

Are you an experienced Beat Reporter who is currently sidelined but eager to get back into the news game? Are you a fan of nonprofit journalism and also financially comfortable at the moment?

At WhoWhatWhy, we have a unique model where we compensate for the tough funding challenges of being a small, scrappy nonprofit by combining a largely voluntary team with a small core of paid pillar personnel. Right now, we cannot afford the sort of salary required for a top flight Beat Reporter but we’re willing to work with the right person over time to convert to some compensation. However, we want to be candid that we may never be able to compete fully on that front, so we’re really looking for someone whose primary motivation is to do what they love.

We have a great Beat Reporter but need a second person to share the role. If you can commit 15 hours a week or more on a flexible schedule, we’d love to hear from you.

WhoWhatWhy.org is a nonpartisan, agenda-free news organization. Not left-wing, not right-wing, not consensus-seeking, we report the truth, whatever it is. We approach each story with an open mind, boundless curiosity, and a willingness to dig deep beneath the surface — and don’t back away in the face of pressure from powerful institutions and groupthink.

Age does not matter. We have among us young students, vibrant retirees, and everything in between, from all walks of life.

Join us!

Responsibilities

Contribute writing and sources to a dedicated beat
Interview experts and conduct in-depth research on the beat
Present story ideas, follow leads, and find the topics no one else is talking about
Write solo-authored feature articles and work collaboratively with beat team members to produce multiple-author stories
Keep your finger on the pulse (pun intended!) of your beat in the United States and around the world
Participate and engage with the team, keeping open lines of communication through email, Slack, and by attending regular team meetings

Minimum Qualifications

Experience as a writer, reporter or editor at a media organization, university club, or related field
Experience with a variety of reporting formats, such as online news, social media, and audio-visual
An insatiable appetite for your beat’s subject and a passion for journalism
Excellent writing skills
A solid grasp of — and commitment to — our mission
Demonstration of a collaborative spirit and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
Bachelor’s degree and/or comparable experience in biomedical sciences and journalism

Perks

Channel your passion in a stimulating environment
Learn the nuts and bolts of nonprofit operations in an up-and-coming organization
Develop new skills and gain valuable experience that can enhance your professional trajectory
Do amazing work on a flexible, part-time basis
Have fun while you make a difference

Expectations

You will be expected to attend your department’s recurring meetings. Beyond this, you will work on your own schedule. We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months for at least 15 hours a week. Because our team is spread throughout the world, we rely on a combination of Slack, email, and conference calls, and expect everyone to be responsive in a timely manner.

To Apply

We will not review applications that appear to be mass submissions. To apply, send your resume and a customized cover letter, making clear you are familiar with our mission and work. You should confirm your understanding that this is a volunteer position. If there is no option to attach a cover letter, please send a cover letter to [email protected].

Please note that response emails from us sometimes end up in spam folders; don’t forget to check them. Thank you!

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