Job Vacancy: Central Asia correspondent - AFP
Location: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Closing Date: 15th March 2026
Based in Almaty, the correspondent (either French or English-speaking) is responsible for coverage of the five countries of ex-Soviet Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Working under the authority of the Moscow Bureau Chief and the news editor for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the correspondent will cover news throughout the region, coordinating text, photo and video freelancers.

A vast, complex and fascinating region, ex-Soviet Central Asia is a rich source of news and feature stories, and can occasionally top the global news agenda, as with the unprecedented unrest in Kazakhstan in early 2022 and the regular visits of foreign leaders and the occasional international summits.

Working with a network of Russian-speaking stringers, the correspondent will ensure that AFP stays on top of the news in the region while producing lively, image-rich feature and focus stories. The correspondent is expected to work with a significant amount of independence, while developing a broad range of sources and travelling frequently throughout the region.

Working with an office administrator in Almaty, the correspondent will oversee regional operations, ensuring stringer payments and acting as AFP’s legal representative in Kazakhstan.

You should have a keen eye for the visual and multimedia aspect of coverage and closely coordinate with the photo, video and data visualisation departments.

You will participate in the daily meeting with AFP colleagues and news editors based in Warsaw, Kyiv, Moscow and Tbilisi. You must be ready to work long days and a wide range of hours, including early mornings and late nights, as well as weekends, and to be regularly on call.

In an ever-changing media environment, the nature of the job could evolve in line with coverage demands and the requirements of an increasingly diverse client base.