Application Guide
How to Apply for Video Editor
at Institute for Middle East Understanding
🏢 About Institute for Middle East Understanding
The Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) is a unique organization that combines journalism, advocacy, and visual storytelling to advance Palestinian rights and social justice. Unlike generic media companies, IMEU specifically focuses on translating complex geopolitical narratives into accessible visual content that drives engagement and understanding. Working here means contributing directly to mission-driven communications that challenge mainstream narratives about the Middle East.
About This Role
As IMEU's Video Editor, you'll be responsible for transforming written stories and news developments into compelling visual content optimized for social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. This role is impactful because you'll be creating videos that educate audiences, contextualize current events, and inspire action around Palestinian rights—essentially serving as a visual translator for the organization's mission.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve editing a rapid-response video about overnight news developments in the morning, then collaborating with writers to adapt a longer-form story into social video formats in the afternoon. You'd likely switch between CapCut for quick social cuts and Adobe Suite for more polished pieces, while regularly communicating with the content team to ensure visual consistency with IMEU's strategic messaging.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Institute for Middle East Understanding Is Looking For
- A video editor with 5+ years experience who can demonstrate storytelling through pacing, visual narrative, and clarity—not just technical editing skills
- Someone proficient in both Adobe Suite (for polished productions) AND CapCut (for rapid social media content), showing adaptability across platforms
- A professional with digital publishing/social media background who understands platform-specific optimization (aspect ratios, captions, engagement hooks)
- A mission-aligned individual passionate about social justice and Palestinian rights, who can balance creative vision with strategic communications goals
📝 Tips for Applying to Institute for Middle East Understanding
Include a portfolio link showing both short-form social videos AND longer narrative pieces—specifically highlight any content related to social justice, advocacy, or Middle East topics
In your resume, quantify your impact with metrics like engagement rates, view counts, or content performance on social platforms to demonstrate digital publishing expertise
Research IMEU's existing video content and mention specific pieces you admire in your cover letter, suggesting how you'd build on their visual style
Highlight any experience with rapid-response content creation, as this role requires editing videos based on breaking news developments
Demonstrate your understanding of IMEU's mission by using language from their website and showing how your skills align with their specific advocacy goals
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your personal connection to or understanding of IMEU's mission regarding Palestinian rights and social justice", "Specific examples of how you've translated complex stories into accessible visual content in previous roles", 'Your experience balancing creative editing with strategic communications goals and platform optimization', 'How you handle rapid-response editing while maintaining narrative cohesion and visual consistency']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Watch IMEU's existing video content across platforms to understand their visual style, tone, and narrative approach
- → Study IMEU's mission statement and recent campaigns to understand their specific advocacy focus and communications strategy
- → Research current events and narratives around Palestinian rights to demonstrate contextual knowledge during the application process
- → Review IMEU's social media presence to understand their audience engagement patterns and content performance
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic portfolio without social justice or advocacy-related content that shows understanding of mission-driven storytelling
- Focusing only on technical editing skills without demonstrating narrative thinking or strategic communications understanding
- Showing limited knowledge of IMEU's specific mission or confusing it with generic Middle East media organizations
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
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 Institute for Middle East Understanding!