[Hiring] Researcher @Committee to Protect Journalists

Role Description

The North Africa Researcher will document, investigate, and report on press freedom violations and threats to journalists in North Africa. The role includes research and writing for CPJ’s editorial and advocacy output, maintaining up-to-date data on press freedom violations, and translating reports between Arabic and English.

Monitoring & Documentation

• Track and document press freedom violations, including arrests, censorship, attacks, legal harassment, and other threats to journalists and media outlets across the MENA region, with focus on North Africa.
• Maintain accurate, timely updates to CPJ’s databases of imprisoned, missing, or killed journalists.
• Build/maintain databases for local and regional media, government & civil society contacts.

Research & Writing

• Draft letters of appeal, statements, and news alerts on tight deadlines.
• Review relevant news websites and publications.
• Research and write reports on press freedom issues in the region.
• Produce timely news alerts, statements, and features on press freedom issues in the assigned region.
• Prepare research notes, background materials, and verification summaries in accordance with CPJ standards.
• Contribute to advocacy materials and other editorial outputs as requested.

Engagement & Coordination

• Communicate regularly with journalists & human rights activists across North Africa and with human rights groups.
• Liaise with journalists, media workers, civil society partners, and human rights organizations for interviews, case updates, and verification.
• Participate in regular check‑ins and team meetings with CPJ program staff.
• Maintain and expand a network of regional contacts relevant to CPJ’s work.
• Collaborate with the Advocacy and Communications department as needed.
• Conduct direct advocacy with relevant actors to advance CPJ’s mission.

Journalist Assistance (JA) Support

• Conduct research, assessment, and verification for Journalist Assistance (JA) requests in the MENA region.
• Submit JA documentation in line with CPJ’s framework and internal systems.
• Assist journalists, vet cases, and coordinate with the Emergencies team and journalists receiving support.

Additional Support

• Create and share engaging content for social media.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• Devise and generate engaging content for social media.

Qualifications

• Strong research and writing skills.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.
• Experience in documenting press freedom violations.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Requirements

• Availability to work and attend meetings on the US Eastern time zone as needed.
• Ability to work remotely from the Middle East / North Africa region or a country within a similar time-zone.

Benefits

• Salary will be determined based on skills and experience and adjusted for local market rates depending upon the country of hire.
• Employment agreements through the EOR are written in equivalent local currency.

Company Description

Founded in 1981, the Committee to Protect Journalists (“CPJ”) is an independent, non-profit organization defending journalists worldwide without regard to their political ideology. Through its work to safeguard journalists, CPJ protects the rights of all people to have access to diverse and independent sources of information.

At CPJ, we are dedicated to upholding values of equity and free expression in both our internal operations and external endeavors. We aspire to build a diverse workplace and foster an inclusive and welcoming environment.