East Africa Correspondent – Financial Times (Nairobi)
The role
The Financial Times is looking for an East Africa correspondent, one of the most exciting and challenging jobs in the FT’s global network. The correspondent will have a flair for writing news and analysis and a passion to cover one of the most dynamic regions of Africa.
The role is based in Nairobi but covers 13 countries in east and central Africa, the most important of which are Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. Visas are occasionally hard to obtain and the prospective candidate should not be afraid of bureaucracy.
The job is busy and complex. It will suit a versatile journalist who is equally able to tease out business and economic stories from a region with few big listed companies and able to report fast moving from the ground. That includes reporting from countries with hostile governments and covering elections where events can be volatile. It may very occasionally be necessary to report from countries at war, although always with strong FT guidance and support.
A key feature of the job is the ability to report and break compelling stories of interest to FT readers from a region with relatively small economies and where only a minority of our readers will be actively invested.
Key responsibilities and duties:
- Cooperate effectively with other correspondents and the World desk in London
- Tell stories whether corporate, economic, political or social
- Write for all sections of the FT from company news and capital markets to a magazine front
- Have an eye for breaking news, business angles and a flair for writing
- Demonstrate numeracy and proficiency in handling data
- Report across all digital platforms and engage with our audience through social media
Who we are looking for:
The successful candidate must be capable of writing economic and business stories in a fragmented environment where data is not readily available and numbers are not always large enough to excite desks in London. The ability to work in French would be useful.
Please submit your application by the end of the day, Thursday 31st October 2024.
Benefits
Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.
How we work
Our hybrid setup means staff are encouraged to come into the office 3 days a week.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace
The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work and have the flexibility they need to meet their personal needs.
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, please contact talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.
About the Financial Times
The FT has an uncompromising mission: delivering independent, quality information, news and services to individuals and companies around the globe. It’s the cornerstone of our reputation and the heart of our ambitions for the future. But for our people, the FT offers so much more than what we do. FT people come from all kinds of backgrounds and work across a huge range of disciplines and locations, and find an empowering, warm and welcoming culture that values curiosity and rewards smart, ambitious thinking. Those who are willing to unite around our mission and live our values will find plenty to challenge, inspire and interest them. Like the audiences we serve, no two FT people are the same; but together we help our audience be better informed and understand the world around them. It’s a job that’s never mattered more, and a career that can take you anywhere you want to go.
