Editor, Moldova

Position description

OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) is one of the largest investigative journalism organizations in the world, headquartered in Amsterdam and with staff across six continents. We are a mission-driven nonprofit newsroom that partners with other media outlets to publish stories that lead to real-world action. At the same time, our media development arm helps investigative outlets around the world succeed and serve the public.

Our mission is to spread and strengthen investigative journalism around the world and expose crime and corruption so the public can hold power to account. Our work has four main pillars:

• Investigations we lead collaborative cross-border projects and publish hard-hitting stories;
• Infrastructure - we provide training, tools, and resources so investigative outlets can thrive;
• Innovation we develop new technology and solutions that serve the field of journalism; and
• Impact - we accelerate the fight against global crime and corruption with groundbreaking partnerships.

Position overview

The OCCRP Regional Editor for Moldova is responsible for leading and coordinating local and cross-border investigations involving Moldova and the neighboring countries. The role requires hands-on editorial direction and collaboration with Moldovan member centers and partners, independent newsrooms, and freelancers. This position demands strong leadership skills, sharp investigative instincts, a collaborative spirit, and an in-depth understanding of the Moldovan political and media landscape, as well as regional geopolitical context.

Core Responsibilities

Network Building & Story Development:

• Lead, coordinate, and support collaborative investigations between Moldovan member centers, partner organizations, independent media, freelancers, and the wider OCCRP network.
• Identify, pitch, and develop cross-border story ideas involving systemic corruption, organized crime, illicit financial flows, disinformation, and foreign influence campaigns.
• Provide guidance and support to develop story ideas and reporting plans that meet OCCRP standards and lead to high-impact investigations.

Collaborative Editorial Leadership:

• Work closely with investigative, core, and regional teams to ensure all investigations and quick-turnaround stories smoothly move through the editorial process (pitching, draft editing, fact-checking, and final edit).
• Work with OCCRP’s data team and data reporters to scope available leaks and other datasets and databases to develop investigations in Moldova.
• Mentor and guide reporters to identify promising stories and ensure all work is rigorous, accurate, and editorially sound, ensuring they implement all reporting guidelines provided by the investigative and core team.
• Serve as primary regional expert, advising OCCRP editors on reporting feasibility, context, and security considerations.
• Oversee the timely addition of footnotes and ensure that all fact-checking meets OCCRP’s rigorous standards.
• Oversee the Right of Reply (ROR) process in coordination with investigative and core teams, ensuring requests are handled according to OCCRP's standards.

Cross-Regional & International Collaboration:

• Organize regular coordination meetings with Moldovan partners and regional editorial teams to drive joint investigations.
• Collaborate with OCCRP’s Impact, Audience, Social Media and Production teams to maximize the reach, local resonance, and global visibility of published investigations.
• Maintain a strict firewall between journalism and civil society advocacy efforts ensuring editorial independence while making published facts accessible for public accountability.

Leadership, Ethics & Security

• Uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity and professional judgment., ensuring all reporting adheres to legal, ethical, and journalistic best practices as well as OCCRP policies.
• Proactively assess physical, digital, and legal threats facing Moldovan journalists and partner organizations, coordinating closely with the security team and protocols are in place for at-risk journalists and for those working on risky stories.

External Representation:

• Represent OCCRP within the Moldovan media ecosystem and at regional investigative journalism conferences.
• Assist Fundraising and Program teams by offering regional insight for grant proposals and reporting related to activities in Moidlova.

Qualifications

• Must be based or willing to relocate to Moldova.
• Minimum of 5 years in journalism, with extensive experience in investigative reporting, cross border collaboration and editing.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring teams of reporters in cross border and collaborative setups.
• Strong background in investigating corruption, illicit money flows, disinformation, foreign influence operations. Fluency in English.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage tight deadlines, and navigate complex and potentially high-risk reporting situations with sound judgment.
• Solid understanding of physical, digital and legal issues necessary for running investigations in Eastern Europe.

Application instructions

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