Financial Times seeks a West Africa correspondent

The FT is looking for a west Africa correspondent. This is an exciting and challenging role requiring a strong commitment to world-beating business, economic, political and social news from a complex and vast region.

Nigeria is by far the biggest economy in west Africa and the successful candidate will be able to tackle issues from the foreign exchange regime to the inner workings of the oil industry. You will produce compelling journalism about a country of 200mn people with some of the biggest development challenges on earth, from insurgency to structural governance issues, and with one of the most powerful and ambitious business communities anywhere in Africa. Nigeria is increasingly a cultural and artistic centre and a forum for ideas on issues of political representation, state accountability, civic and minority rights and identity.

Nigeria is only a part of the story. The correspondent will also be expected to report widely from a region spanning Mauritania to Gabon and including Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast.  Francophone governments are trying to recalibrate their relationship with France, and economies throughout the region are seeking to break away from dependence on raw materials such as cocoa, rubber and gold. Businesses are preparing for the challenges and opportunities of the continental free trade area.  There is also a simmering security threat in the Sahel, which could become an issue of global focus, with implications for Europe and beyond.

There are big themes to explore from energy transition and climate change to rising debt burdens and the fragile state of democracy; from youth unemployment to population growth; and from economic transformation to the growing influence of China and Russia. The successful candidate will be able to bring these themes to life with compelling narratives and personalities and be as interested in the workings of Bollore as Boko Haram. There is ample opportunity to write for all sections of the news site including the Big Read, Project Publishing and FT Weekend as well as day-to-day news and analysis.

To apply, go here.