Executive Assistant (Volunteer)
*Note: The following is an opportunity for flexible, part-time, volunteer work. Please DO NOT APPLY if you are looking for paid employment only. All positions are remote/work from home.
WhoWhatWhy is seeking a “right hand person” to help the Editor-in-Chief and CEO by handling all kinds of interesting projects and tasks — while learning about journalism operations from the inside.
This is a position that requires tenacity, persistence, maturity, and intelligence. It is a unique job opportunity that will teach you to be a professional — to communicate effectively, manage, and work with other people, gain skills that are appropriate for many career paths, and get an inside look into nonprofit journalism operations. The Executive Assistant contextualizes everything happening at WhoWhatWhy — acting as a liaison between the Editor-in-Chief/CEO and team members; keeping track of various projects within several departments; and acting as a representative for both the Editor-in-Chief/CEO and the organization.
Are you a detail-oriented, results-driven person — perhaps a student or recent college graduate — with a passion for journalism? Or are you an experienced assistant who wants to make a difference? Would you like to work with smart and talented people to produce great journalism in the public interest? Can you commit 10 hours a week or more, working remotely on your own schedule? Are you looking for an exciting challenge and an opportunity for leadership experience? Join our diverse and values-driven team of students, retirees, and everything in between, from every part of the globe.
WhoWhatWhy is the operating arm of Real News Project Inc., a global nonprofit news organization committed to rigorous journalism unbound by corporate interest, a political agenda, or search-engine algorithms. Our mission is to deliver fact-based, objective news with contextual analysis to help the public understand a fast-changing, complex world.
We launched with the idea that the public deserves courageous and thorough investigations into the powerful institutions, entities, and individuals that shape our world. We support traditional journalism, but this grave moment in time calls for a stronger response — a journalism more urgent and ambitious. We pride ourselves on having no sacred cows and covering stories that no one else will touch. At WhoWhatWhy , we believe that quality information changes minds — and that when you change minds, you change everything.
We do not accept ads and we are not underwritten by a wealthy benefactor. We operate independently and leanly through our unique staffing model: Based on public contributions, we pay a core management team and professional freelance writers — and we support them with a large infrastructure of dedicated volunteers. WhoWhatWhy is a nonhierarchical organization reliant upon individual ingenuity and initiative. We pair newcomers with veterans to develop the skills and leadership traits required for the challenging and changing news landscape.
Responsibilities
• Work closely with the Editor-in-Chief and CEO in all aspects of his work
• Answer incoming questions for the CEO’s office, direct people to proper resources, offer guidance and introductions for anyone needing help or answers
• Respond to emergencies and unexpected situations
• As needed, temporarily help run and/or take notes for various business units in the absence of the normal manager or note taker
• Monitor all departments to identify any challenges or needs and inform the CEO
• Help the CEO with any special projects, including research of all types
• As needed, provide liaison with our People and Culture Department to ensure smooth hiring processes
• Help identify stakeholders for new meetings and projects, help set up those meetings, and ensure an agenda and good attendance
• Take notes on relevant calls and manage follow-up tasks
• As needed, play a facilitator role to ensure the success of critical initiatives and projects
• Interface with and support members of the organization in carrying out both daily operations and big-picture goals
• Notice, discuss, document, and implement opportunities/needs for new/better systems, processes, and procedures that improve the functioning of the organization
Minimum Qualifications
• Strong written and spoken communications skills and excellent command of English
• A calm, unflappable personality, a positive attitude, consistent high energy, motivation to succeed and create success for others, ability to take general direction and innovate solutions
• Excellent creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain extremely organized notes, to-do lists, and projects
Preferred Qualifications
• Prior experience as an executive assistant, administrative assistant, or project manager at a fast-paced, entrepreneurial startup, nonprofit, educational institution, news organization, and/or similar entity
• Experience with Salesforce, Notion, Slack, marketing automation and email marketing services, and other contemporary business tools preferred
Perks
• Channel your passion in a stimulating environment
• Learn the nuts and bolts of nonprofit operations in an up-and-coming organization
• Develop new skills and gain valuable experience that can enhance your professional trajectory
• Do amazing work on a flexible, part-time basis
• Have fun while making a difference
Expectations
You will be expected to attend your department’s recurring meetings. Beyond this, you will work on your own schedule. We ask for a minimum commitment of six months for at least 10 hours a week. Because our team is spread throughout the world, we rely on a combination of Slack, email, and conference calls, and we expect everyone to respond in a timely manner.
To Apply
We will not review applications that appear to be mass submissions. To apply, submit your resume and a customized cover letter making it clear you are familiar with our mission and work. You should confirm your understanding that this is a volunteer position. If there is no option to attach a cover letter, please send a cover letter to hr@whowhatwhy.org.
Please note that response emails from us sometimes end up in spam folders; don’t forget to check them. Thank you!
Experienced Employment Type: VOLUNTEER