MINISTRY : MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT : INFORMATION
JOB TITLE : EDITOR
GRADE : G
RESPONSIBLE TO : CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
NO. OF POSITIONS : ONE (1)
JOB SUMMARY
Under the supervision of Chief Information Officer, the editor is responsible for management, supervision and control of the newsroom. This include among others, preparing for news coverage, assigning and monitoring reporters work and editing their stories, artists and photographers and keep the copy and diary control sheet to be in the picture of what content goes into the newspaper every day.
MAIN DUTIES
1.0 MANAGEMENT OF THE NEWSROOM
1.1 Plan for and prepare schedules and rosters for news coverage.
1.2 Assign reporters, artists and photographers
1.3 Write editorial based on issues of national interest and or concern.
1.4 Edit stories before printing for quality
1.5 Convene weekly editorial meetings for editorial and photographic staff to discuss improvements, which can be effected on the newspapers to give them a professional touch.
1.6 Conduct on the-job-training of editorial staff
1.7 Liaise with printers on matters of production and publication of the newspapers.
1.8 Approve newspaper layout, headlines, captions, pictures, cartoons, advertisement, stories and features to be published.
1.9 Produce well written, accurate and well researched news reports, features and analytical pieces
2.0 SUPERVISION OF DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET
2.1 Consolidate sectional budgets and submit them to Head of Department or Director for approval and provide direction for the newsroom.
2.2 Prepare and submit annual budget for inclusion in the departmental budget in order to secure funds.
2.3 Prepare and advice Head of Department regarding approval of Sectional work plans to ensure that they are in line with the departmental objectives.
2.4 Ensure responsibility for security of property and all materials of the newsrooms
2.5 Prepare requisitions for sections of the department
2.6 Participate in human resource development plans to enable effective staffing of the department and advise the Head of Department on shortages and other needs.
2.7 Approves Sectional training plans to facilitate purposeful and systematic training
3.0 CONTROL OF THE NEWSROOM
3.1 Understanding broad business and economic policy of government and translate this understanding to reporting news
3.2 Write reports on a variety of topics, in particular all levels of government and politics
3.3 Prepare news features and background pieces which show insight and understanding
3.4 Be aware of current news events and political trends
3.5 Proven creative writing and investigative skills across a wide range of subjects
3.6 Have a sound knowledge of the political environment in Lesotho and experience in political reporting
3.7 Have a feel for human interest stories and efficient time management and work to strict deadlines
3.8 The ability to identify, comment on and analyses news issues
3.9 Creativity and initiative in the approach to generating, research and writing original breaking news stories, background and follow up material
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Masters degree in Print journalism/Mass Media/Communication/Public Relations from a recognized institution or any other related field plus three (3) years satisfactory service at the level of Editor, News editor/Sub-editor in a weekly newspaper publication.
OR
Degree in Print Journalism/Mass Media/Communication/Public Relations with a minimum of at least three (3) years satisfactory experience in the newspaper, magazine, subbing and editing at the level of Editor or News-editor.
RESPONSIBILITY
FOR WORK OF OTHERS
The job holder is required to supervise Reporters
For property (Equipment, Material and Finance)
The job places on the incumbent responsibility to ensure that equipment and material are in a safe custody, for example, locking the newsroom where computers, telephones and news materials are kept.
FOR EFFECT OF ERRORS
• The incumbent is responsible for the errors committed while communication the instructions to cover events which could result in no news being collected or published and loss of readership
• The incumbent is responsible for errors that may be committed while editing stories for print that may lead to misinformation
• The incumbent is responsible for errors that may be committed while writing reports on a variety of topics, in particular all levels of government and politics, translating, writing and editing news.
• The incumbent is responsible for errors that may be committed
COMPLEXITY
AUTHORITY OF DECISION-MAKING
The incumbent has authority to make decisions on the newsworthiness of information material to be published.
PROBLEM SOLVING
The incumbent may occasionally have to clarify the nature of assignments she/he gave to the reporters
The incumbent may occasionally have to mediate between conflicting subordinates, sources of news and reporters
SUPERVISION
The job holder is expected to work independently and report to the Head of Department on weekly basis or from time to time as may be required or necessary
CONTACTS
The job requires the incumbent to make contacts with:
• Head of department to get assignments
• Reporters to give assignments
• Members of other departments and sections when discussing job related issues
• Members of other ministries, districts, organizations and the public about information disseminating
EFFORT
The job requires careful review of assignments and news material all of which demand good eye-sight and hearing coupled with maximum concentration and articulation
PHYSICAL EFFORT
The job requires minimal physical effort
EMOTIONAL EFFORT
The job holder has to work under pressure especially when news material, and reports are late for publication. Occasionally, the incumbent has to deal with politically or otherwise motivated requests for publication of events not in compliance with professional ethics of conduct of news and journalism
WORKING CONDITIONS
UNFAVOURBALE CONDITIONS
The job holder also has to work beyond normal working hours
HAZARDS
The job holder may be exposed to physical and verbal attacks, for example, when there is political instability, riots and other tensed situations, when perpetrators often wants publicity that favours them, or anti societal, biased and otherwise.
Applications should be made on the relevant forms G.P. 103 for first appointment, G.P.104 for serving officers accompanied by up to date performance appraisal forms, certified document of National Identification – ID not passport must be addressed to:
THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
P. O. BOX 36
3rd FLOOR MOPOSO HOUSE MASERU- 100
OR
Hand delivered to the Human Resource Office, Moposo House 3rd floor.
The closing date for submission of applications is the 11TH June 2021.