News & Current Affairs Editor, Digital at Standard Group

Reporting to Managing Editor Digital

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Be the eyes and ears of the Standard newsroom by scanning the environment for breaking news and potential story leads, and converting them into digital-first content in formats that can be consumed easily by audiences.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure the publishing of breaking news on web and SMS.
• Guide and coordinate with journalists, reporters and correspondents for content that goes on web first;
• Monitor local and international news feeds, social media accounts for brands, news personalities and non-traditional sources for breaking news and story leads;
• Gate keep content to ensure news clarity and appeal, required length, without leaving out facts, misreporting or removing any salient points;
• Provide updates for breaking/developing news to keep audiences well informed;
• Manage and coordinate team of digital-first writers and sub editors;
• Track audience behavior using analytics.

Person Specification

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Communication from a recognized university

Experience

• At least five (5) years’ experience in a newsroom environment.
• Writing and editing experience.

SKILLS AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES

• Understands how the web and social media works;
• Conversant with social media tracking tools;
• Excellent communication and writing skills;
• Good editing; interviewing; research and fact-checking skills;
• Proactive;
• Nose for news; 
• Inquisitive;
• Problem solver.