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Job ad: European Fact Checking Standards Network Coordinator

By 05/09/2023March 19th, 2024No Comments7 min read
  • Reporting to the board
  • Remote working from anywhere in Europe, working language English (French will be valued)
  • Full time
  • Variable salary depending on remote location
  • 25 working days leave per year

Work with leading media companies and NGOs across Europe to reduce the harm done by misinformation and disinformation to democracy, to people’s health, and to communities.

You will lead the staff of the European Fact Checking Standards Network, starting as the first employee and recruiting and developing the team.

The EFCSN is a network created by nearly 50 fact-checking organisations from all parts of Europe. It will serve as a representative body that promotes the highest standards of impartial, ethical and transparent fact-checking.

You will make a vital contribution to one of the most important challenges of our time by coordinating this network and fostering a vibrant community of fact-checking organisations focused on improving the quality of fact-checking and influencing European-wide policies around misinformation.

You will make the case for the value of high quality fact checking to funders, researchers, internet companies, and a wide range of other potential partners. You’ll enjoy supporting the community to build its networks, making the most of all the members’ expertise and connections.

EFCSN’s members are first responders to misinformation, working together to protect people during the pandemic, counter state sponsored disinformation, and hold their own democracies to account. 

You will support the EFCSN’s members and help them develop and collaborate, including when necessary organising rapid reactions to major events from a project management perspective. You’ll enjoy working with a diverse community of organisations applying shared standards in different political and media environments.

You will make the EFCSN’s voice heard among the EU and other European decision makers at a time when the EU is the world’s most important policy maker in relation to the internet companies. You’ll enjoy working as part of a team to discuss complex policy questions and communicate positions in ways that change minds.

Misinformation and disinformation is a constantly changing field. It is important, urgent, and fascinating. EFCSN can make a decisive difference to the effectiveness of fact -checking across Europe. This is your chance to do work you can be proud of in collaboration with a friendly and innovative Europe-wide community.

If you are interested in applying but not sure you have all the skills, please do apply. The EFCSN is in its early stages and we are open to supporting our development and considering different ways the team could be designed to get the best out of your skills.

Outcomes in year one

  1. Oversee the assessment process for the European Fact Checking Standards Code so that all applicants receive timely and consistent assessments.
  2. Establish systems of communications within the network so that members report feeling well informed about its work and able to contribute in ways that suit them and facilitate relations between the members.
  3. Secure sustainable funding so that the EFCSN can operate confidently and with credible independence.
  4. Hire the team and start to build a supportive and ambitious culture.
  5. Work with the Governance Body and the members to establish effective external relationships between the EFCSN and stakeholders including policy makers across Europe, internet companies, funders, and relevant civil society networks around the world.
  6. Work with the Governance Body and the members to develop an agreed plan and budget for future years.

What we are looking for from you

  • Fundraising and finance. You have proven experience of fundraising and the ability to take overall responsibility for the EFCSN’s budget.
  • Internal communications. You have the proven ability to maintain clear communication among a complex network so that every members’ contribution is equally valued.
  • Enabling approach. You’re more interested in what we achieve together than who gets credit, and you’re happy to ‘disagree and commit’ when members of the network have taken a position.
  • Management. You have proven experience managing staff and volunteers in a supportive and ambitious environment.
  • Governance. You have the ability to oversee the running of a small non-profit with high standards of governance, ethics and transparency (the EFCSN is registered in Belgium but your relevant experience can be from any setting).
  • Ambassador. You’ll be an effective advocate for the EFCSN and its collective positions to senior stakeholders including in governments, the media, funders, and global companies; and you’ll work effectively with the EFCSN’s other external representatives including the Governance Body.
  • Policy and politics. You’ll have experience handling complex political situations effectively, and an appreciation of the range of different political contexts across Europe (not just the EU).
  • Multinational approach. You will work in English as the EFCSN’s working language but ideally you will have experience working in multinational teams, or in different countries, and/or in languages other than your first language.

Variable Salary depending on remote location

While the EFCSN is registered in Brussels, working remotely from anywhere across Europe with the possibility to travel when needed is what this job offers. 

Because of the different taxing systems in each country that impact both the employee and the employer, we are not offering a closed range salary but will adjust the offer depending on the country of residence. 

Our aim is for whomever takes on this position to reach a net salary between 30.000 € and 40.000 € depending on the candidates experience and skills. 

How to apply

Applications close on Wednesday 27th of September at 10.00 CET.

Please send a CV and a cover letter to [email protected] explaining how you fit the requirements of the job description.

Please let us know if you will not be available for an interview on the week of the 9th of October.

About the selection process

We want to see you at your best to understand your strengths and the contribution you could make at the European Fact Checking Standards Network with strong support, including for your learning and development. We also want to make sure that we use your time well during this process and don’t ask for more from you than we need to. We will make any reasonable adjustments we need to make to this process to help ensure you can perform at your best. For more information about this before applying, please contact [email protected].

Interviews will be held by video call.

Applications close Wednesday 27th of September at 10.00 CET. First round interviews are planned for the week of 9 October and will be a panel of three Governance Body members (listed here: https://efcsn.com/governance-body/)

Second round interviews are planned for the week of 23 October and will be with the whole Governance Body.