Apprenticeship Newsroom Manager

We are seeking an Apprenticeship Newsroom Manager to run the day-to-day engine of MCI's newsroom. This role is part editor, part coach, part systems operator.

Who We Are Looking For

A coach-first leader who enjoys mentoring young journalists and turning mistakes into learning moments
A youth-centered editor who understands culture, social media, and how young people learn, earn, belong, and become
A strong newsroom practitioner with hands-on experience in journalism, digital media, or content production
A systems thinker who can design clear newsroom rhythms, schedules, and accountability without killing creativity
A conversation leader who sees stories as dialogue starters, not just published outputs
A community builder who believes journalism only thrives when audiences feel ownership and belonging
A bridge between impact and sustainability, comfortable engaging ethical partnerships without compromising editorial values
A calm, emotionally intelligent presence who can hold pressure, conflict, and care in a humane way
A future-facing media thinker excited about apprenticeship models, innovation, and reimagining how newsrooms work in Africa

Responsibilities

1. Run the Apprenticeship-Driven Newsroom

Design and manage the daily, weekly, and monthly newsroom rhythm
Translate the fellowship curriculum into learn-by-doing newsroom workflows
Ensure every apprentice has a clear role and desk, knows what they are producing and why, and receives regular feedback and mentorship
Balance learning with production — without exploitation or chaos

2. Manage Multi-Channel Editorial Desks

You will oversee apprentices producing content for Switch Africa (short-form, social-first channels) and Solutions Now Africa (long-form, solutions journalism).

Ensure each channel has a clear editorial focus, consistent tone and quality, and appropriate publishing cadence
Coordinate cross-channel collaboration
Prevent duplication, burnout, or mission drift

3. Editorial Oversight & Quality Control

Set and enforce editorial standards
Review and approve content before publication (or assign editors)
Ensure accuracy, ethics, and relevance
Embed solutions journalism, youth voice, and cultural intelligence
Handle editorial corrections and learning moments constructively

4. Mentorship, Coaching & Growth

You are not just managing output — you are growing people.

Coach apprentices through feedback, reflection, and portfolio development
Identify strengths and growth areas
Support apprentices to become one-person media teams, channel leads, and future editors, producers, or creators
Work closely with the HODs and People & Culture Officer on performance reviews, learning milestones, transitions and exits

5. Newsroom Systems & Workflow Design

Design efficient editorial workflows
Use planning tools (content calendars, pitch meetings, editorial boards)
Ensure documentation of processes
Reduce reliance on heroics
Build a calm, disciplined newsroom culture

6. Community Building

You understand that news does not thrive in isolation.

Guide apprentices to think beyond publishing into community engagement
Encourage formats that invite participation, response, and shared ownership
Support offline and online activations linked to Switch Africa channels
Build audience feedback loops, community-led storytelling, events, pop-ups, dialogues, and collaborations

7. Conversation Enhancement — From Content to Dialogue

You ensure the newsroom does not just publish stories — it leads conversations.

Help apprentices design stories as conversation starters
Encourage follow-ups, explainers, responses, and reflections
Model how journalism can heal, not inflame
Moderate sensitive issues responsibly
Expand stories into ongoing youth dialogues
Teach apprentices how to hold space for disagreement with care

8. Connections for Business & Sustainability

You recognize that journalism needs new business models rooted in trust and community.

Help apprentices understand the relationship between stories, audiences, and revenue
Support ethical brand, partner, and campaign collaborations
Protect editorial integrity while enabling sustainability

9. Collaboration Across MCI

You will work closely with:

CEO — vision, priorities, public positioning
People & Culture Officer — apprenticeship structure, mentoring, performance
Sustainability Officer — build and coordinate synergies to harmonise narrative and sponsored content
Production Team — video, audio, graphics, editing and events production

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