Tuesday, 7 August 2012

YouTube Human Rights Channel Curator Job Vacancy in Brooklyn, United States

Curator: WITNESS human rights channel in collaboration with YouTube and Storyful

WITNESS seeks forward-thinking editorial voice and skilled project manager to lead an innovative human rights curation project on YouTube.


About the Project
YouTube is increasingly a destination for human rights footage. WITNESS is working with YouTube and Storyful (www.storyful.com), the citizen media aggregation and verification service, to create and curate a human rights video channel on YouTube that collects and promotes videos that capture and contextualize breaking human rights stories around the world.

This provides an exceptional opportunity to ensure that human rights video - both from hotspots and forgotten situations - is prominent on YouTube. It will also allow WITNESS to share the best practices and tools that enable people to better document and secure justice using video.

The channel will tell breaking stories in human rights through the lenses of citizen witnesses, human rights activists and journalists who upload their video to Youtube everyday. Part breaking news, part alert network, the channel will give a global audience "on-the-ground" perspectives on breaking human rights events and underreported human rights stories often absent from mainstream media sources. Beyond the headlines, the channel will engage the wider context behind evolving controversies, and, where appropriate, point to campaigns and ways people can take action.

We will be sharing:
* Daily updates - of breaking stories, alerts and related campaign video.
* Featured stories - playlists gathering a number of videos together to provide insight into an evolving situation. This may include video reportage and documentaries offering insight into the background concerns or analysis of present controversies. A significant effort will be made to ensure that underreported stories are given much-needed exposure, and a balance is struck between specific crises and broader human rights questions.
* Profiles - of videographers and organizations on Youtube who have made a major impact or a significant contribution to video for change.
* Tools and Tactics - This is a place WITNESS' core expertise around effective filming, consent, safety, contextualization and advocacy can help introduce important techniques to citizen journalists. This will also draw from examples and training videos on Youtube and from other training resources.

This project offers an opportunity for every citizen to become a human rights defender from journalists, local activists, international organizations , regional experts, academics, to engaged citizens. The channel will also be available on Google+ and other social platforms is to provide a place where these different communities can connect, discuss, and collaborate in new and unexplored ways.

YouTube Human Rights Channel Curator- immediate hire

WITNESS is seeking to hire a talented, innovative individual to lead this project in the follow-up to our initial launch in May 2012.

The Channel has been in development during the first half of the year, and the Curator will join at an exciting moment as we launch the channel to the public. It is a dynamic and challenging project that sits at the cutting edge of the intersection of video and social change, and WITNESS is looking for forward thinking people of a variety of backgrounds to pick up the reins and make this project their own.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategy and Vision
* Determine (in consultation with colleagues) and maintain editorial voice of the channel
* Ensure commitment and focus around core principles of the channel.
* Anticipate forward in building community and innovating in channel

Core Relationships
* Coordinate with key point-people at YouTube and Storyful
* Engage WITNESS resources and knowledge behind the channel
* Cultivate relationships with other human rights organizations and citizen journalists

Curatorial/Editorial
* Daily maintenance and review of playlists of breaking news
* Ongoing research and sourcing for larger feature stories
* Write blog posts and commentary
* Simple video editing of compilation videos and introductory pieces. Management
* Recruit and lead selected interns
* Recruit and manage part-time specialist curators

Community Engagement and Outreach
* Develop effective ways to engage citizen witnesses and advocates to use and contribute to the channel
* Outreach, distribution and community discussion on social media platforms including Google +.
* Public outreach, press and speaking as needed to promote channel

Fundraising
* Contribute to fundraising efforts around the channel as lead by External Relations team at WITNESS

Required Skills/Abilities
* Broad-based human rights understanding at a professional level and a breadth of understanding of international human rights issues
* Journalistic background in making swift and strong editorial decisions
* Strong awareness of the evolving social media landscape, and experience leveraging and building communities across multiple platforms.
* Skills with Final Cut Pro and familiarity with various web-friendly video codecs.
* Independence, work ethic, and personal organizational skills
* Ability to manage interns, volunteers and remote curators
* Adaptability to fast-moving and rapidly changing circumstances
* Relevant BA and 5-7 years minimum experience in fields above

Preferred Skills/Abilities
* Additional languages beyond English
* MA/MPA/JD or other graduate qualification in relevant areas

Key Relationships
* Program Director, WITNESS (supervisor)
* Interns and additional curators
* YouTube News and Politics Manager (key relationship)
* Google + Community Relationships Manager (key relationship)
* Storyful leadership and project support team (key relationship)

COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience.

THIS IS A FULL-TIME SIX MONTH HIRE WHICH MAY BECOME A LONG-TERM POSITION AS THE PROJECT UNFOLDS.

How to apply:

TO APPLY: Send cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to YouTube@witness.org with the subject line "YouTube Curator"

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled; early applications encouraged. Please note that due to the volume anticipated, we will not be able to respond individually to each applicant. We kindly ask that you do not send duplicate applications via mail or email, and no phone calls. Thank you.

WITNESS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE CAREFULLY CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR ALL POSITIONS WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL OR VETERAN STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS. http://www.witness.org

Closing Date: Friday, 31 August 2012

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