Application Guide
How to Apply for Managing Editor
at In Development
🏢 About In Development
In Development is a niche magazine focused on progress in lower-income countries, covering global health, development, and institutions. It offers a mission-driven environment where your work directly informs and engages a dedicated readership passionate about real-world impact.
About This Role
As Managing Editor, you will shape the magazine's voice by commissioning and editing longform articles, guiding pieces from pitch to publication. You'll manage a contributor network and editorial calendar, ensuring weekly output while upholding rigorous standards. This role is impactful because you'll amplify critical stories on global development.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start by reviewing new pitches and emailing contributors about deadlines. You'll spend several hours editing a longform piece for structure and clarity, then coordinate with a fact-checker. Later, you update the editorial calendar and plan social media promotion for the week's upcoming article.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who In Development Is Looking For
- Proven experience editing longform journalism, ideally in development, global health, or economics.
- Strong editorial judgment to evaluate pitches that balance narrative force with analytical depth.
- Excellent copy-editing and fact-checking skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple contributors and deadlines in a remote, fast-paced environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to In Development
In your cover letter, reference specific articles from In Development and suggest how you'd improve or expand coverage.
Submit a portfolio with at least 2-3 longform pieces you've edited, highlighting structural changes you made.
Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with editorial calendars, contributor management, and fact-checking.
Mention any familiarity with development economics or global health topics, even if from academic or NGO work.
Propose a sample pitch or story idea that fits the magazine's focus to demonstrate your editorial vision.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for the magazine's mission and understanding of its audience.", 'Concrete examples of editing longform pieces that improved clarity and narrative.', 'Experience managing editorial workflows and contributor relationships.', 'Your ability to balance creative editing with operational rigour (e.g., fact-checking, scheduling).']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read at least 5 recent articles from In Development to understand its tone, style, and typical topics.
- → Learn about the magazine's target audience (e.g., development professionals, academics, policymakers).
- → Check the editorial team's LinkedIn profiles to see backgrounds and potential reporting lines.
- → Review the magazine's social media presence to see how articles are promoted and what resonates.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter without referencing the magazine's specific content or mission.
- Overlooking the fact-checking requirement; failing to mention it or provide examples.
- Not showing proof of longform editing experience—avoid listing only short-form or academic editing.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: June 15, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to In Development!