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
  

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