BenarNews is an online news service affiliated with Radio Free Asia (RFA) that reports in Bengali, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and English, on pressing topics such as human rights, freedom of expression, conflict, climate change, politics and geopolitics.

We are seeking a skilled and passionate Visual Lead to ensure the quality, consistency and professionalism of visual content at BenarNews. In this newly-created position, you will be responsible for developing and executing BenarNews’ visual strategies, as well as overseeing all aspects of our visual content production. The Visual Lead will collaborate closely with the Editorial/Video/Audience Engagement teams to integrate compelling visual elements and enhance our storytelling capabilities.

This is a full-time hybrid position based in our Washington D.C. office and reports to the Managing Editor of BenarNews.

• Manage Visual Content Production: Oversee the end-to-end creation and production of visual content, including photos, graphics, and multimedia elements, ensuring high-quality output aligned with BenarNews standards, branding and objectives. Be prepared to roll up sleeves and produce some of this content yourself.
• Develop Visual Strategies: Develop and implement visual strategies to enhance BenarNews’ storytelling capabilities, engage audiences, and differentiate our coverage in the crowded media landscape in Southeast Asia and Bangladesh.
• Collaborate with Editorial/Video/Audience Engagement Team: Work closely with colleagues to identify visual storytelling opportunities, pitch ideas, and coordinate the integration of visuals into news stories, features, social media and video content, and multimedia projects.
• Stay Updated on Trends: Keep abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in visual journalism, multimedia storytelling, and digital media distribution, and integrate new approaches into the  visual strategies.
• Ensure the integrity of BenarNews brand assets: Monitor the use of the BenarNews visual assets across all languages and platforms to ensure consistency and compliance. Spearhead rebranding efforts as required.
• Maintain Visual Archives: Working with RFA’s Digital Asset Management Team, establish and maintain a comprehensive visual archive of original BenarNews’ content, including photos, videos, and graphics.
• Ensure Compliance and Ethics: Uphold ethical standards and legal requirements in visual content creation, ensuring accuracy, fairness, sourcing and verifying third-party content, and respect for individuals and communities; promote visual journalism ethics across the Benar team.
• Lead Visual Team:  Supervise visual talents, including overseas stringers, providing guidance, mentorship, and feedback to optimize their performance and development.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in visual journalism, photography, videography, motion graphics, art direction or multimedia production,  with a proven track record of producing high-quality visual content for news organizations or media outlets.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in journalism, communications, media studies, visual arts, or a related field, 
• In-depth knowledge, and preferably hands-on working experience, in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia, including its history, culture, politics, and current affairs, with a keen understanding of the region's socio-economic dynamics and geopolitical developments.
• Proficiency in digital photography, video production, graphic design, and multimedia editing software and tools, with the ability to produce and edit visual content using industry-standard software platforms.
• Creative flair and innovative thinking, with the ability to conceptualize and execute visually compelling storytelling approaches that resonate with BenarNews’s diverse audiences and capture the complexity of stories from Southeast Asia and Bangladesh.
• Meticulous attention to detail, with a commitment to accuracy, authenticity, and ethical standards in visual content creation.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate evolving priorities, tight deadlines, and unpredictable events in a dynamic news environment, 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, and with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds, to clearly communicate vision and direction.
• Proficiency in English, and ability in one or more BenarNews’ languages spoken is highly desirable.