THE JOB

AFP is looking for an anglophone journalist for its busy Vienna bureau, responsible for covering Austria, parts of Central and Eastern Europe, and several major international institutions. As well as Austria, you are responsible for coverage of Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

This is a key role for the agency, given the frequent attention devoted to Central Europe thanks to Hungary’s frequent clashes with Brussels, as well as the strategic influence of Romania/Moldova given the war in neighboring Ukraine.

You also cover the International Agency for Atomic Energy (IAEA), which is a major source of news with the ongoing nuclear crises in Iran and North Korea. Additionally, the Vienna bureau follows the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and several UN agencies.

Austria itself, with its fair share of political drama in recent years, as well as its dynamic economy, its rich cultural history, and its changing society and environment, offers great scope for features.

You work with another anglophone reporter under the authority of the bureau chief in Vienna and regional chief editors in Paris.

You will have a keen eye for the multimedia aspect of the job and will coordinate closely with the photo, video, and graphics departments.

You will closely monitor social media and strictly adhere to the Agency's guidelines on social media activity.

You will contribute to the fight against misinformation by helping fact-checkers in the network and ensure you are trained in the various methods of online verification, now indispensable for all journalism.

As a general rule, you commit to respecting AFP's ethics charter as well as all the editorial guidelines in force and in the Agency's style guide.

You must be ready to work long days and a wide range of hours, including early mornings and late nights, as well as weekends, and to be regularly on call.

In an ever-changing media environment, the nature of the job could evolve in line with coverage demands and the requirements of an increasingly diverse client base.

SKILLS REQUIRED

  • This is an exciting opportunity for a hard-working, enthusiastic, and creative journalist.
  • You have very strong writing skills, able to turn a hand to a wide variety of subjects, from Austrian or Bulgarian political crises, and migrant flows in the region to surprise OPEC decisions on oil supply.
  • It is especially important, given the heavy coverage of international institutions, to cut through dry institutional language and produce lively and readable copy. You will also be brimming with original feature ideas from the region.
  • A strong team ethic is essential. In addition to working closely with the chief editors and English desk in Paris, you will need to coordinate effectively with journalists as well as with Anglophone and Francophone stringers across the region covered.
  • Copy from the whole region flows through the Vienna bureau so impeccable editing skills will be a strong advantage to ensure quality output.
  • Fluent German is a prerequisite for the job, while good working knowledge of French would be a plus.
  • Previous experience in Europe would be an advantage, as well as an interest in sports.
  • The English-speaking journalists play a full part in the daily routine of the office, including covering weekend duties. Applicants must have a proven record of working under pressure and should expect to work weekends and evenings if necessary. However, there is ample scope to get out and produce original reporting.
  • Given the bureau's central location, the Vienna anglophone journalist can be called on to reinforce other European bureaus for major stories and should expect to travel on occasion.

APPLICATIONS

Please send CV & cover letter to: