Deadline: 9 September 2018

Thomson Reuters Foundation, in partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism, is currently inviting journalists based anywhere in Africa who are motivated to understand how their country could be losing money via illicit means.

This is an opportunity provided by the Wealth of Nations – Illicit finance (NORAD) programme. Wealth of Nations is a long-term engagement, and journalists who take part must commit to all elements of the scheme, signing an agreement to this effect. These elements include:

• The production of stories or investigations on illicit financial flows
• A mentoring support scheme that will help produce these stories
• Intensive training on reporting illicit finance
  • The first workshop will take place from Monday, 15 October – Friday, 19 October 2018 at the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in Johannesburg
  • Selected participants will be invited to a follow-up workshop in early December 2018

Journalists will not be considered to have completed the scheme until they have completed all the elements, which include producing at least one story or investigation on illicit financial flows and will not receive their certificates until this point.

Benefits

• If selected, applicants will take part in one intensive workshops (5 days) covering illicit finance, reporting on companies, accounts and budgets, and investigative techniques. The workshops will take place in Johannesburg.
• Applicants will propose one or more story ideas that they wish to work on within the scheme – The program will provide experienced journalists to help pursue their stories right up to publication/broadcast.
• Selected participants will receive modest funding to help them realise their stories or investigations; those who are funded may have further opportunities for training.
• Applicants will have exclusive access to expertise through the network of illicit finance experts.
• Applicants will also have access to story ideas and editorial advice and will be invited to share their own expertise with participants from other regions.

Funding

Successful applicants will receive a full bursary that will cover air travel expenses (economy class), accommodation, local transfers and meals. Please note that applicants need to check visa requirements and ensure they have the necessary documentation required. The cost of their visa and any other related costs will be the responsibility of the participant.

Eligibility Criteria

• Journalists with at least two years of professional experience.
• It is an advantage if applicants are familiar with investigative journalism, reporting on finances and/or dealing with numbers more generally. But if they have a strong motivation to learn about and understand these issues then the program will consider their application.
• Applicants must be able to spend significant time working on illicit finance stories or investigations.
• Both freelancers and staff journalists may apply. Journalists working for a news organisation will need consent from their editor to take part. Freelancers should provide evidence that one or more mediaorganisations will be willing to take their work.
• Journalists working in any medium or multiple media are welcome to apply (print, online, radio or television).
• Journalists should be based in Africa and working for one or more African media organisations.
• Journalists applying must have fluent English.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply online via given website.

For more information, please visit Reporting on Illicit Finance in Africa.