Business Development and Communications Unit EDITORIAL SPECIALIST
Business Development and Communications Unit
EDITORIAL SPECIALIST
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.
APPLICATIONS/ENQUIRIES
Interested applicants should forward a detailed CV, stating the position applied for, together with the names and contact details (telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) of at least three contactable referees, to hr@hst.org.za.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Shortlisted candidates will be requested to submit certified copies of all qualifications and identity documents.
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- E-mail users are requested to set the delivery option of their message on both ‘Return Receipt’ and ‘Confirm Delivery’.
- Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates.
- All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to reference and credential checks.
- If you have not been contacted within 30 days of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.
- HST reserves the right to not fill this position.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 8 May 2024
HEALTH SYSTEMS TRUST PROMOTES EMPLOYMENT EQUITY.
People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.