Editorial Specialist at Health Systems Trust

Job description

PURPOSE:

Health Systems Trust wishes to appoint an Editorial Specialist to play a leading role in quality assuring HST’s communications products by ensuring that the content, look and feel of publications, reports and marketing materials are of the highest quality. S/he sets professional editorial standards and monitors adherence to the HST Style Manual and corporate brand policy.

The position is based in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. This is a fixed-term contract position, renewable based on funding.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to development and implementation of business development and communications strategy.
• Coordinate editorial function including scope definition, capacity allocation, task scheduling and monitoring of work flow.
• Manage outsourcing of editorial services where appropriate and supervising outsourced assignments.
• Provide editorial services for HST’s flagship print and electronic publications, high profile reports, major proposals, high priority promotional materials and to fee paying external clients.
• Engage with authors or commissioning managers including eliciting feedback and resolving queries.
• Regular updating of HST Style Manual and other relevant policies, procedures and protocols for quality assurance.
• Contribute to and support the development of innovative marketing materials to enhance visibility and appeal of HST’s work.
• Originate and support innovative knowledge management initiatives.
• Contribute to HST website refreshment by channelling content in relation of area of work to the Communications Assistant for uploading.
• Contribute to organisational governance processes including planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.
• Develop creative ways of encouraging a culture of writing among HST staff.
• Conduct writing workshops/retreats to support thought leadership outputs like journal papers, conference abstracts and presentations.

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree with a major in communication, journalism, English, publishing or other relevant discipline.
• Master’s degree will be added advantage

Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience working as a copy writer and/or editor, preferably in the publishing industry and/or in public health within a NGO or government setting.
• Good understanding of public health issues to engage with complex research and implementation texts for mainstream and academic audiences.
• Experience in facilitating training and other capacity building initiatives.
• Ability to use a variety of creative narrative forms to produce outputs for different technical fields.
• Marketing and communications experience.
• Strong project management skills with ability to prioritise and work on several publications/projects at the same time.

Competencies and Skills

• English language proficiency, both verbal and written
• Proven expertise in writing, editing and proof-reading documents with technical content for diverse audiences such as public health professionals.
• Good self-organisation, ability to cope under pressure and meet deadlines
• Good interpersonal and client relationship skills to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders at various levels
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and in a team
• A valid driver’s licence, willingness to travel and work outside normal office hours.

REMUNERATION

A salary package commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications and in line with HST’s Job Grading System will be offered.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 12 May 2017