News Editor

Farmer’s Weekly is looking for a skilled professional to act as the magazine’s news editor. Farmer’s Weekly is South Africa’s oldest magazine, and offers news and insight into the agriculture sector. The incumbent will be responsible for managing and coordinating the news section for the magazine every week, as well as managing and coordinating the publishing of at least one news story online every day.

**Key responsibilities**:
Coordinate and manage the news process, which involves planning the news list for each upcoming magazine, and communicating with Farmer’s Weekly’s full-time and freelance journalists to ensure that all news stories are delivered on time.
Assign stories to Farmer’s Weekly’s full-time and freelance journalists.
Ensure the quality and accuracy of all news submitted for publishing.
Ensure that the content of the news articles is readable and devoid of grammatical or spelling errors.
Check for plagiarism.
Stay abreast of all major happenings in the local and global agriculture sectors.
Write news stories where needed.
Ensure that a news story is submitted and processed for publication on the Farmer’s Weekly digital platforms every day.
Assist with proofreading and copy editing where needed.
Manage the work flow of the magazine should the editor and managing editor not be in the office.
Mentor and train journalists if and when needed.
Attend industry events as needed.

**The incumbent must have the following skills and attributes**:
Attention to detail.
Good interpersonal and communications skills.
Able to work across digital and print platforms.
An excellent command of English.
Be deadline driven and able to work under pressure.
Must be organised.
Must be able to manage a team of people.
Must be creative.
An interest in agriculture and food production is essential.
A bachelor’s degree in communications or journalism.
At least five years’ experience in print media.
At least three years’ experience managing a team of people.