Job Description

Special Assistant (Volunteer)

*Note: The following is an opportunity for flexible, part-time, volunteer work. Please DO NOT APPLY if you are only looking for paid employment. All positions are remote/ work-from-home.

Are you passionate about making a difference? Would you find it exciting to work with smart and talented individuals committed to producing great journalism in the public interest? Can you commit (a minimum of) 10 hours a week to our mission, working remotely on your own schedule with our far-flung, diverse team? 

WhoWhatWhy is seeking a volunteer, part-time Special Assistant to work directly with the Editor in Chief/CEO. Special Assistants juggle multiple projects, handle day-to-day tasks and work as a liaison between Russ and your area of assignment and/or expertise. It is an incredible opportunity to learn rapidly, challenge your creative problem-solving skills, and gain exposure to all aspects of a rapidly growing nonprofit.

WhoWhatWhy.org is a nonpartisan, agenda-free news organization. Not left-wing, not right-wing, not consensus-seeking, we report the truth, whatever it is. We approach each story with an open mind, boundless curiosity, and a willingness to dig deep beneath the surface  —  and don’t back away in the face of pressure from powerful institutions and groupthink. 

We are a nonprofit. We are not funded by a zillionaire. We do not accept corporate ads. As such, we are only currently able to pay a small core team, as well as experienced professional freelancers —  and rely primarily on skilled volunteers to fill out our growing organizational infrastructure. 

Age does not matter. We have among us young students, vibrant retirees, and everything in between, from all walks of life.

Join us! 

Qualifications

• Interest in and knowledge of current affairs and news
• Excellent written communication and oral presentation abilities
• Maturity, accuracy, confidence, focus, high level of organizational capability, self-motivation, curiosity
• Minimum commitment of 10 hours per week.
• Have special knowledge/expertise in any of the following areas:
  • Operations, process, structures
  • Tech, applications, UX
  • Administrative Operations
  • HR, proactive recruiting, talent development
  • Sustainability, business continuity, scalability, growth 

Responsibilities

• Track and manage projects and tasks
• Conduct research
• Specialize in your area of interest, be it editorial, development, administration, etc, while handling everything that needs to be done 
• Collaborate with and support other members of the Special Assistant team/CEO’s Office
• Do your best to make everyone’s volunteer experience meaningful and seamless (answering questions, helping get in touch with team members, filling-in when people are absent or on vacation)

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 you make 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 6 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 expect everyone to be responsive in a timely manner. 

To Apply 

We will not review applications that appear to be mass submissions. To apply, send your resume and a customized cover letter , making 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 [email protected]. 

Please note that response emails from us sometimes end up in spam folders; don’t forget to check them. Thank you!

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