Assistant Foreign Editor

The National , an IMI company, was founded in 2008 and has since set a new standard for quality English-language journalism in the Middle East. Widely recognised as one of the most influential news outlets from the region, The National has been awarded extensively for its journalism, design, podcasts, photography and videos, while its reputation for excellence appeals to decision-makers and industry leaders.

The National is committed to delivering quality journalism to its international audiences. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, it has bureaux in London, Washington DC, Beirut and Cairo, in addition to 200 correspondents and a wide network of contributors worldwide, The National has developed a reputation for providing in-depth coverage of the Middle East and a window into the region from the wider world.

Publishing across all digital platforms, The National also produces a print edition five days a week in the United Arab Emirates.

Role Summary:

The Assistant Foreign Editor supports the Foreign Editor and Deputy Foreign Editor in managing The National’s international news coverage across all platforms. This role focuses on day-to-day editorial coordination, copy editing, and digital publishing, ensuring that stories meet the highest editorial standards. The Assistant Foreign Editor helps manage correspondents, oversees content preparation, and provides essential operational support, stepping in to maintain workflow continuity when senior editors are absent.

Main Duties:

• Assist the Foreign Editor and Deputy Foreign Editor in coordinating the team responsible for international news coverage.
• Monitor wires, press releases, global outlets, and reporters’ submissions to prepare daily news lists for editorial meetings.
• Support the commissioning of assignments for reporters and correspondents, ensuring timely and well-planned coverage.
• Edit copy for accuracy, clarity, and consistency, working closely with reporters to strengthen stories.
• Package content for online publication, applying SEO best practices with effective headlines, keywords, links, multimedia, and geo-data.
• Upload and publish stories across digital platforms.
• Ensure that deadlines are consistently met without compromising quality.
• Maintain and update the forward planning calendar in collaboration with the Deputy Foreign Editor.
• Assist in coordinating logistics for foreign correspondents, including travel planning and risk assessments.
• Contribute to planning coverage for breaking news and fast-moving global developments.
• Uphold the social, cultural, and national values of the UAE, ensuring The National’s reputation and editorial integrity are preserved.

Key Requirements:

• Minimum of five years of experience in a similar editorial role.
• Proven experience in foreign news reporting and editing.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent editorial judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong understanding of international affairs and geopolitical trends.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Communications, or a related field.