Job: Sub-Editor

Sub-Editor

The successful candidates will work as part of a team of six full-time reporters & wider network of 20+ on-the-ground correspondents to feed the national and international media with social-justice news from rural Mpumalanga & Limpopo, + neighbouring states.

Because AENS is a rural-based developmental news agency, with eight 'beat' reporters on staff, its sub-editors and other newsdesk managers are required to be good mentors. They work closely with young journalists, inspiring them to the highest ethical and professional standards, while also patiently teaching writing, research, and interview techniques.

Sub-editors should also be prepared to cover for AENS' news editor or editor on occasion, managing the newsfeed, compiling diaries, briefing & debriefing reporters, and liaising with client publications.

Requirements

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
* editing copy to correct legal, grammatical, factual and contextual errors;
* cutting/expanding, re-writing, re-angling/altering copy to fit requirements;
* writing headlines and captions accurately and creatively;
* writing stand-firsts (brief introductions which sum up the story);
* debriefing & liaising with reporters to clarify facts / context in stories;
* providing on-the-job training & mentoring for young journalists or interns;
* packaging stories with appropriate photos or graphics;
* meeting absolutely immovable deadlines;
* addressing concerns from client editors;

Advantageous

KNOWLEDGE / APTITUDE:
* Ability to sub-edit efficiently
* Expertise in spelling, grammar and punctuation
* Ability or make sure that writing flows, is logical and makes sense
* Awareness of legal environment
* Excellent general knowledge (including knowledge of Mpumalanga / Limpopo's socio-economic landscape)
* News sense

Personal Skills/Attributes

SKILLS / COMPETENCIES:
* Good communication skills
* Ability to work under pressure
* Ability to meet deadlines

The successful candidate will be an individual that is patient, hard-working individual with the ability to process, on average, 15 stories a day and willing to face intimidating deadlines with good humour.