Managing Editor – India Water Portal (English)

India Water Portal (IWP), managed by Arghyam, is a knowledge and media initiative focused on water and related issues in India. Available in English and Hindi, IWP brings together reporting, analysis, research, data, perspectives, opportunities and experiences from across the water sector.

Over the years, it has built a substantial archive of knowledge on water while providing a space for practitioners, researchers, communities, journalists and organisations to share experiences, evidence and ideas.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Managing Editor to lead India Water Portal – English.

The Managing Editor will shape IWP's editorial direction, identify important questions and emerging conversations around water, commission and develop high-quality journalism and knowledge content, and build a strong network of contributors.

The role combines editorial judgement with hands-on writing and editing, audience understanding, commissioning, contributor engagement and publication management.

1. Editorial Strategy and Planning

• Shape and implement the editorial strategy for India Water Portal – English in alignment with IWP's larger vision.

• Identify emerging issues, important debates and under-reported stories around water, environment, climate and development.

• Develop and manage a monthly editorial calendar around priority themes and current developments.

• Periodically update editorial guidelines covering quality, sourcing, attribution, fact-checking, corrections and editorial standards.

• Work closely with the Hindi editorial team to identify stories, themes and knowledge that can travel across languages while maintaining the distinct voice and audience of each portal.

2. Content Development and Commissioning

• Commission original reporting, features, interviews, explainers, analysis, opinion pieces, visual stories and data-driven content.

• Write and edit high-quality content for the Portal.

• Work with journalists, researchers, practitioners, experts, civil society organisations and other contributors to bring diverse perspectives to IWP.

• Identify opportunities to interpret research, policy and technical knowledge for wider audiences.

• Encourage and curate contributed content while ensuring it meets IWP's editorial standards.

• Respond editorially to important developments, policies and public conversations relating to water.

3. Editorial Quality and Publication

• Take overall responsibility for the accuracy, clarity, relevance and quality of content published on IWP English.

• Ensure appropriate fact-checking, sourcing, attribution and editorial review.

• Maintain consistency of editorial voice and standards across the website and associated communication channels.

• Periodically review high-value archived content and identify opportunities to update, resurface or repackage it.

• Use the CMS effectively and work with the wider team to improve how stories and knowledge are presented and discovered.

• Use AI and other digital tools appropriately to support editorial workflows while ensuring strong human editorial oversight.

4. Audience and Distribution

• Develop an understanding of IWP's different audiences and use these insights to guide editorial and distribution choices.

• Work with the communications and digital teams to extend the reach of IWP content through search, social media, newsletters, WhatsApp and other relevant channels.

• Oversee editorial inputs for newsletters and other audience-facing communication.

• Use analytics to understand content performance, search behaviour, audience engagement and emerging areas of interest.

• Translate these insights into improvements in commissioning, formats, distribution and editorial priorities.

5. Contributors, Fellows and Partnerships

• Supervise and mentor reporting fellows, freelance writers and contributors.

• Provide editorial guidance from story development and reporting through editing and publication.

• Build and nurture a diverse network of journalists, researchers, practitioners and subject experts who can contribute to IWP.

• Identify opportunities for editorial collaborations with credible organisations and knowledge institutions.

• Help develop emerging writers and strengthen regional and field-based storytelling on water.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 6–8 years of experience in journalism, editing, digital publishing or editorial content management, with substantial experience in features, analysis or long-form writing.

• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills in English.

• Strong editorial judgement and the ability to identify compelling stories, questions and angles.

• Experience commissioning and editing work from external writers or contributors.

• Strong understanding of editorial standards, fact-checking and responsible sourcing.

• Ability to interpret complex research, policy and technical material for wider audiences.

• Familiarity with CMS platforms, SEO, web analytics and digital publishing.

• Good organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple stories and contributors simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience covering water, environment, climate, public policy, rural development or related sectors.

• A background in journalism or independent digital publishing.

• Experience developing or mentoring reporters, fellows or contributors.

• Experience with multimedia, visual storytelling or data journalism.

• Familiarity with Hindi or another Indian language would be an advantage.

• An established network among journalists, researchers, practitioners or organisations working on environmental and development issues.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who is not only a strong editor but is deeply curious about India and its water challenges: someone who can recognise an important story, ask the right questions, work with people who hold different kinds of knowledge, and help make India Water Portal a place people turn to for credible, thoughtful and engaging conversations on water.

How to Apply

Please fill out this form by 19th October, 2026.