As Bhekisisa’s news editor, you will be responsible for managing Bhekisisa’s Africa health correspondents in various African countries. You will commission and edit solutions-based health features and also produce your own content for Bhekisisa’s website.
You will be largely responsible for the quality of the content on the Bhekisisa website and for distributing and promoting Bhekisisa’s content to the M&G’s Africa outlets.
This is a one year contract position, from February 1st 2016 – January 31st 2017, which is renewable dependent on performance and funding.
The position is based at the M&G offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
Job Purpose:
- Edit, commission and produce quality health content for Bhekisisa’s website
- Manage and mentor Bhekisisa Africa health correspondents
- Ensure that all stories are uploaded and that Bhekisisa’s website is regularly updated
- Manage Bhekisisa’s social media
- Assist the Bhekisisa director/health editor with liaising with donors and key health players
- Assist the Bhekisisa director with creating promotional content
- Stand in for the Bhekisisa director/health editor when required
- Manage and mentor Bhekisisa trainee fellows
Key Performance Indicators:
- Edit and commission at least two weekly health features from Bhekisisa Africa correspondents
- Build up a network of at least 15 Africa health correspondents
- Write at least three health news stories per week for the Bhekisisa Africa website
- Ensure that the website publishes at least two new multimedia stories per week
- Create a network of at least 200 people and organisations that a weekly Bhekisisa newsletter, consisting of that week’s content, can be distributed to.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
- Edit, commission and upload solutions-based health features for Bhekisisa Africa’s website
- Build up a network of freelance Africa health correspondents
- Manage and mentor fifteen to twenty freelance health correspondents in various African countries
- Work with the multimedia producer to create multimedia content
- Write short news stories on African health issues based on new reports being released, press releases and phone interviews
- Upload all Africa health content on the M&G’s CMS system
- Create partnerships for content sharing with media and non-profit organisations
- Liaise with the M&G’s Africa outlets with regards to the publishing of Bhekisisa content
- Manage and mentor Bhekisisa trainee fellows
- Assist the Bhekisisa director/health editor with developing new story ideas and ways to grow Bhekisisa’s profile
- Actively research African health issues in order to develop new story ideas.
Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field – a post graduate degree is preferred, but not essential.
- At least seven years of journalism experience, of which at least two years must have been in a position that required you to assist with management and editing
- Knowledge of health issues in Africa – proof of reporting on such issues will be required
- Excellent English writing ability and exceptional print editing skills – all shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a short editing test
- Existing media and health contacts in Africa would be an advantage
- Experience in solutions-based journalism would be an advantage
- Strong research techniques and excellent organizational skills are a must.
Remuneration: Negotiable depending on experience.
Closing date: October 30th 2015
To Apply: submit an updated CV and letter of motivation to Human Resources at [email protected]