Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism Latest Available Job Opportunity

The Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism specialises in solutions-based health and social justice journalism aimed at policymakers here and abroad. What does that mean? It means we don’t only tell our readers about problems, we also critically evaluate what’s being done to fix them. Our narrative storytelling pairs the latest science with the stories of real people to help readers understand issues better and be a part of real change.

The centre has a solid track record in producing impactful, award-winning reporting both locally and internationally. Bhekisisa reporters have gone on to become health editors at leading publications and their work has appeared in international publications such as the UK Guardian. The centre syndicates copy to major South African outlets such as the Mail & Guardian, the Daily Maverick and News24. We’re a small, donor-funded newsroom that doesn’t shy away from hard work that pushes us outside our comfort zones and allows us to grow and learn together.

Job  Title: Health reporter
Location: Johannesburg

The purpose of the position is to be responsible for producing regular narrative features and policy analysis. If you’re a seasoned newshound, you’ll relish the chance to spend weeks getting stuck into a story with a travel budget to boot

Responsibilities: 

• Produce two narrative features and one analysis piece per month
• Show a demonstrated interest in your beat, reading independently to ensure that you’re up to date with the latest research developments as well as local and international conversations
• Proactively pitching well-researched story ideas for narrative features, travelling to provinces when necessary and sometimes on late notice
• Take your stories from conception to birth and beyond, actively thinking about how to translate key messages into social media content or other products as diverse as panels to plays
• Meaningfully contribute to developing Bhekisisa’s strategies in terms of content creation across platforms and media as well as sustainability initiatives such as training or related projects. This will include helping the centre develop new products based on your interests and work
• Assist coworkers, if needed, in terms of social media scheduling, event organising or other duties as prescribed
• Other duties as required

Required:

• At least two to three years’ reporting experience in a newsroom; a degree in journalism or a related field is desirable
• A deep desire to grow your writing and engage with scientific research even if you haven’t done it before. (There’s a first time for everything)
• A demonstrated track record regularly producing news stories; experience in feature writing will be an asset
• Fluency in written and spoken English; ability to speak an additional official language will be highly advantageous
• Willingness to travel internationally and locally, sometimes at short notice
• Familiarity with social media channels, especially Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
• A passion for social justice issues; some demonstrated interest in health reporting is welcomed
• Ability to work independently and manage your time to ensure deadlines are met
•  Ability to work well as part of a team on a variety of tasks if needed
• Familiarity with content management systems, especially WordPress, is an advantage as is demonstrated multimedia skills
• Willingness to be edited and fact checked. Bhekisisa’s narrative features go through an average of two edits – one for the science, the other for the story line. We’ll always work with you on these but we know this type of intense editing isn’t for everyone
• Strong time management skills and the ability to work on two stories at the same time are a must

To apply

Please send the following materials to Bhekisisa Deputy Editor Laura Lopez Gonzalez [email protected] with the subject line “Application for Health Reporter”. We regret that due to capacity issues, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

• Updated CV with three contactable references; at least one should be familiar with your raw copy
• Five writing samples, ideally these samples should show some range in writing e.g. news, analysis and features
• A cover letter detailing why you would like to work at Bhekisisa specifically. Cover letters of successful candidates will demonstrate an understanding of Bhekisisa’s unique brand of solutions-based, narrative journalism and analysis.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 2 October, 2019