Home Affairs Correspondent

About The Role

The Home Affairs Correspondent works with the Home Affairs Editor to ensure that The Telegraph’s coverage is comprehensive and of the highest standard. They will report on breaking news stories on the Home Affairs patch, plan for and cover diary events on the patch as required, and bring in exclusive stories.

The Home Affairs Correspondent must be able to understand and identify the best news lines in: official announcements; debates; Select Committee hearings; and relevant reports. They are responsible for finding and writing stories about relevant issues, are expected to source exclusives, and write features when required. They will be based in the same location as the Home Affairs Editor - currently the lobby - and will work with them as a team to effectively cover the patch.

They are required to build and maintain relevant contacts, in conjunction with the Home Affairs Editor. They write stories for the Daily Telegraph website and newspaper, and work with the news desk and publishers to best present stories online.

The Home Affairs Correspondent also works closely with news editors, other news reporters and specialists, and other journalists across the newspaper.

Key Responsibilities

• The Home Affairs Correspondent is expected to provide high quality, accurate coverage of their patch and to bring in exclusive news stories. They will be required to cover debates and Select Committee hearings and file copy from the ground for the website when necessary.
• The Home Affairs Correspondent will work closely with the Home Affairs Editor to cover the patch, and is junior to the Home Affairs Editor.
• The successful candidate for this role will progress to writing front page stories and articles which lead the website.
• They are responsible for helping to plan for and produce stories for key dates in the Home Affairs calendar.
• They are expected to write accurate, clear and concise news stories in house style.
• They are expected to meet tight deadlines and to organise their schedule around the deadline demands of the newsroom.
• Under pressure, they are expected to identify the best line for a potential story and relay that information to news editors clearly and concisely.
• They are responsible for ensuring stories are accurate and legally compliant.
• They are expected to have an understanding of the stories which attract readers online and that readers and subscribers to the Telegraph are interested in. Through their articles, they will help the company to reach its goal of attracting and retaining more subscribers online.

Key Skills

• Experience working in home affairs, either at a specialist publication or in a national newsroom or equivalent is desirable. It is essential that those with a general reporting background can demonstrate an ability to break news, find exclusive stories, and develop contacts, and have some proven interest in and knowledge of home affairs.
• An ability to write clear, accurate copy is essential.
• An ability to spot stories from raw data and research is essential.
• A proven ability to develop sources and contacts is essential.
• It is essential that candidates are able to process large amounts of detailed information quickly and accurately.
• It is essential to be highly organised and able to work on multiple projects simultaneously while effectively prioritising different tasks and meeting tight deadlines.
• It is essential to be a strong verbal communicator, who is able to explain stories succinctly and clearly to editors.
• Knowledge of how best to present stories online is desirable.
• Previous video or podcast scripting or presenting experience would be advantageous.

Our benefits

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding for everyone who works here by creating a suite of benefits that contribute to lifestyle choices and leisure activities. From dynamic working opportunities, medical cover, and parental leave (six months fully paid maternity leave and enhanced paternity/partner leave), to life assurance and season ticket loans, you can choose from a range of flexible benefits, designed to support your lifestyle and help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Training and development

With support from your manager and colleagues, you’ll also have access to a variety of training and development opportunities through The Academy. Covering a range of personal and professional skills, our courses enable you to develop an enjoyable and rewarding career.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and we are committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of skills, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe in equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

We are proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader as part of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition and would like support in applying for any of our roles or if you require any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process with us, please make us aware.

To find out more about Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Telegraph Media Group, and for more information on our purpose, beliefs, and people values, please visit our website.