About Right Now

Right Now is an independent not-for-profit media organisation focused on human rights issues in Australia. Our work begins with the belief that creating a positive, rights-respecting culture in Australia begins with the flow of information. Our vision is an Australia where people have informed and inspired discussions about human rights, equality and justice.

This is a rare opportunity for human rights enthusiasts to make their mark through working with passionate and knowledgeable contributors on meaningful reporting as well as creative media. In this role, the successful candidate will grow their networks of independent media & human rights experts in Australia and the Pacific. The Editor-in-Chief will work in collaboration with Right Now’s General Manager, Culture and Community Manager and the Board to think strategically about the future of the organisation and identify project opportunities that will advance our mission statement.

Now in its fourteenth year, Right Now has published a vast range of established and emerging writers, poets, human rights activists, lawyers, academics and artists, with a particular commitment to elevating diverse voices and perspectives. We seek to consistently emphasise the importance of human rights, both by highlighting stories that are relevant to readers’ daily lives and uncovering the ways in which human rights are being compromised in Australia and around the world.

The role

The Editor-in-Chief will:

• Lead the editorial vision for Right Now, advance the organisation’s strategic direction and oversee the magazine’s daily operations.
• Work collaboratively with the editorial team, and writers and artists, to commission and curate informed, inspiring content about human rights issues in Australia that engages audiences and grows readership. This includes publishing a diverse range of voices. Right Now is committed to inclusive and ethical storytelling.
• Build a culture of editorial excellence by providing guidance and direction to the team of volunteer editors.
• Organise, plan and lead fortnightly editorial meetings.
• Manage the editorial team and, with support from the Culture & Community Manager, be responsible for recruitment and the training of new editors.
• Oversee editorial outputs on the Right Now website, enewsletter and print materials.
• Monitor and interpret website, email and social analytics to determine readership trends in collaboration with the Digital Marketing Manager.
• Prepare budgets and funding proposals and applications, in collaboration with the General Manager and the Right Now board.
• Report to the Right Now board and attend board meetings as required.
• Represent Right Now at public events, in the media, and in the human rights and arts communities in Australia.

Time commitment required:

• Fortnightly liaison with the General Manager and Culture & Community Manager.
• Communication with the editorial team in between fortnightly editorial meetings.
• Bi-monthly reports for the General Manager to present to the Board.
• Estimated 6-8 hours per week.

Please email Rastko at [email protected], using the subject line: Editor-in-Chief (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs with any questions you might have to assist with your application.

Right Now is stronger when our team has a diversity of backgrounds and experience, including lived experience. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, People of Colour, people from culturally and linguistically diverse and refugee backgrounds, people with diverse religious beliefs, women, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply.