Rest of World is looking for an enterprising reporter to cover the Middle East and become the publication’s authority in its coverage of a region that is undergoing an economic transformation and shaping business and geopolitical decisions globally. This reporter will be in charge of ideating, reporting, and writing about the business of technology and the many ways it intersects with the people living in the region — from those who wield power, money and influence in the Gulf to those who are left behind in the race for tech innovation.
We are looking for someone who is obsessed with money and following the money, while finding novel ways to cover the intersection of business and culture. The ideal candidate is open to experimenting with formats, and will jump at the opportunity to write about the UAE’s gamble on Artificial Innovation with the same enthusiasm as they will about Israel’s digital surveillance regime.
This is a contract role and can be based in any major hub, including Dubai, Riyadh or Doha. Candidates must possess the right to work in their current location, as Rest of World is unable to sponsor work authorization for this role.
This position will report to the Middle East & Africa Editor.
Responsibilities
- Pitching, reporting and writing analytical and deeply reported stories that resonate with our readers
- Collaborating with Rest of World’s reporters in other geographies on inter-regional projects, especially those that may have a Gulf investment connection
- Providing material and insights for the publication’s newsletters and special projects
- Travel within the coverage region to attend industry events and conduct interviews with business and tech leaders and policymakers
Qualifications
- 3-5 years of experience reporting, with some of it covering business stories in the Middle East
- A track record of producing insightful stories, finding original approaches for business coverage, and collaborating with the newsroom to work on innovative formats
- Has solid sourcing across the region, including decision-makers within the regional tech ecosystem and the political and business community that engage in it
- Advanced knowledge of Arabic, both speaking and reading, is preferred.
- Has a strong work ethic, comfortable with collaboration, a motivated self-starter
- Collaborative, enjoys working in teams with different disciplines and learning from others
How to Apply
To apply, please send a resume and a short cover letter to jobs@restofworld.org with “Reporter – Middle East” in the subject line by Nov. 22, 2024. In your cover letter, please share three stories you’ve reported, describe how you sourced each story, and tell us what you would do differently this time. Also share an idea for a story from the Middle East, in less than 100 words, that you’d like to report on for Rest of World.
Chris RoushChris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.