Media Challenge Initiative
Non-profit + 1 more
Description
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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