WITNESS seeks freelance editors to work on advocacy videos in partnership with human rights activists

WITNESS is continually updating its roster of freelance editors that are available to work on a per project contract basis on human rights advocacy documentaries. Editors will work on 3-25 minute documentaries alongside WITNESS staff and human rights activists from WITNESS' partner organizations from around the globe.  The editing process is an inclusive one and editors are also expected to play an instructional/facilitative role as human rights activists learn how to be producers. A typical edit for a medium-length video lasts approximately six weeks and editors will be required to commit to the entire length of the project.  

WITNESS uses video and online technologies to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations. We empower people to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice, promoting public engagement and policy change. WITNESS was conceived by musician and advocate Peter Gabriel in 1992. Today, WITNESS is a highly respected and rapidly growing independent nonprofit organization with an annual budget of $4.7 million and a staff of thirty.  WITNESS has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2007 New York Times Nonprofit Excellence in Communications Award, the first ever Emmy Humanitarian Award, the 2007 American Express Building Leadership Award by Independent Sector, Reuters' 2006 Mohamed Amin Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to TV News, and has been chosen as one of the leading entrepreneurial organizations in the U.S. by Fast Company/Monitor Group for the fourth year in a row: www.witness.org

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• At least 5 years of professional editing experience
• Proficient with AVID Media Composer (PC), Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Photoshop
• Strong interest in working with a human rights activist in an  instructional/facilitative/mentorship role
• Experience working on social justice/human rights documentaries

Desirable

• Second language skills, particularly one or more of the following: Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian and Swahili.
• Experience with Adobe After Effects and Pro Tools a plus
• New York City area residency preferred

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Patience, sense of humor, and flexibility
• A passion for social change 

START DATE: Ongoing. WITNESS is currently compiling and updating its roster of freelance editors, which will be called upon on a per-project basis as needs arise.

LOCATION: Brooklyn, New York.

SALARY: Based on experience. WITNESS is a non-profit organization and pays competitive salaries within the non-profit field.

SUBMISSIONS: Cover letter and resume. Reels of sample work will be requested at a later stage from selected candidates.

APPLICATION PROCESS: All qualified candidates are encouraged to forward completed application materials to Ryan Kautz, Video Editor, at ryan@witness.org , with the subject line "Editor Roster."

**No phone calls will be accepted. Due to the volume of applicants anticipated, we will not be able to respond individually to each applicant and will only be contacting those applicants that we feel best meet our criteria. 

WITNESS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.  WE CAREFULLY CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR ALL POSITIONS WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL OR VETERAN STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.

www.witness.org