Acting Health Editor – Maternity Cover for a Leading Fact-Checking Organisation

About Full Fact and the Role

Join the fight against misinformation and make a real impact on public health! Full Fact, the UK's independent fact-checking organisation, is seeking an experienced Acting Health Editor to lead our health fact-checking team on a maternity cover basis. As an Acting Health Editor, you will play a critical role in shaping and developing our health fact-checking work, which has a proven track record of driving change and saving lives.

We believe in flexibility and offer a hybrid working arrangement, allowing you to balance your time between our remote office and home. This is a unique opportunity to work with a talented team of fact-checkers, technologists, and campaigners who are passionate about tackling bad information and promoting trustworthy public debate.

Job Summary

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Acting Health Editor to lead our health fact-checking team for a period of 9-12 months. The successful candidate will have a strong background in journalism or a related field, with demonstrable editing experience and a good understanding of health policy and/or clinical topics. You will be responsible for leading our work combatting health misinformation, managing a team of three health fact-checkers, and working closely with other teams within Full Fact to identify areas for action.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Full Fact's fact-checking work on health, including health policy and medical misinformation
• Run the health team within editorial, with line management responsibility for three fact-checkers
• Assign work on health fact checking, set deadlines, and ensure they are hit
• Review and sign off health fact checks and other content, ensuring everything published is of a high standard
• Oversee the health fact-checking team's production process, including tracking workflow and updating on progress daily
• Lead our day-to-day health monitoring process to an agreed plan, covering a balanced range of sources
• Help edit other fact checks and editorial content, including from our politics and news & online teams
• Work closely with other teams within Full Fact to identify areas for action and engage with external third parties
• Represent Full Fact in the media, as required
• Lead Full Fact's engagement with the health sector and share expertise
• Evaluate and report on our work to combat health misinformation

Essential and Preferred Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• Significant experience working in journalism or a related field with demonstrable editing experience
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills
• Good communication skills, with a track record of communicating with a non-specialist audience
• Understanding of digital channels, audiences, and formats
• Political impartiality and sensitivity, with a good understanding of public debate in the UK

Preferred Qualifications:

• Good understanding of health policy and/or clinical topics
• Line management experience

Skills and Competencies

To succeed in this role, you will need to possess the following skills and competencies:

• Strong leadership and management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to understand and master new topics rapidly
• Political impartiality and sensitivity

Career Growth Opportunities and Learning Benefits

At Full Fact, we are committed to supporting the growth and development of our team members. As an Acting Health Editor, you will have access to:

• Comprehensive training and support
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• A collaborative and dynamic work environment
• A competitive salary and benefits package

Work Environment and Company Culture

Our company culture is built on a foundation of integrity, impartiality, and a passion for fact-checking. We value:

• Collaboration and teamwork
• Innovation and creativity
• Continuous learning and improvement
• Diversity and inclusion

We offer a comfortable, centrally located London office with good transport links, as well as a hybrid working arrangement that allows you to work from home or remotely.

Compensation, Perks, and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary of £41,400 - £56,129 pro-rata per annum, depending on experience. Our benefits package includes:

• Generous holidays: 25 days holiday pro rata plus bank holidays
• Workplace Pension
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Day off for moving home

How to Apply

If you are a motivated and experienced editor or journalist with a passion for fact-checking and public health, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please upload your CV and cover letter using the link below by 10am on Monday 25 November 2024.

We look forward to hearing from you and exploring how you can contribute to our mission to combat misinformation and promote trustworthy public debate.