Background

Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Nation Media Group (NMG), is Tanzania’s largest independent news network with an award-winning presence in print and digital media, and exciting new ventures in innovation and events ecosystems.

We are publishers of leading national news brands Mwananchi, The Citizen and Mwanaspoti in print and digital formats, and proprietors of the Mwananchi Digital suite of products and Mwanaclick. We are audience-led, market-driven with a clear mission to empower the nation.

Purpose

The assistant sports editor supports the sports editor in planning, coordinating, editing, and producing high-quality sports content for print and digital platforms. The role assists in ensuring timely, accurate, engaging, and audience-focused sports coverage while maintaining editorial standards and newsroom efficiency.

Main responsibilities

• Assist the Sports Editor in managing the day-to-day operations of the sports desk.
• Coordinate assignments for sports reporters, photographers, and contributors.
• Edit and proofread sports stories, features, interviews, analyses, and multimedia content before publication.
• Ensure sports content meets editorial standards, accuracy, fairness, and ethical journalism practices.
• Support digital-first publishing strategies to enhance online readership and audience engagement.
• Monitor breaking sports news and assist in coordinating timely coverage across all platforms.
• Prepare headlines, captions, and story layouts suitable for print and digital publishing.
• Assist in planning coverage for local and international sporting events, tournaments, and special features.
• Work closely with designers, photographers, and digital teams to produce compelling sports packages.
• Monitor audience trends, analytics, and competitor activities to improve sports content performance.
• Mentor junior reporters and interns to strengthen reporting and writing skills.
• Stand in for the sports editor during absence when required.
• Ensure timely submission and publication of sports content according to newsroom deadlines.
• Maintain professional relationships with sports stakeholders, clubs, federations, athletes, and agencies.

Minimum qualifications & experience

Academic:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, or a related field.

Experience:

• 3–5 years’ experience in sports journalism or editorial work.
• Strong knowledge of local and international sports.
• Experience in digital media publishing and multimedia storytelling is an added advantage.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English and Swahili.
• Familiarity with newsroom systems, digital platforms, and content management tools.

Key competencies

• Strong editorial and news judgment skills.
• Good leadership and coordination abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

• Assist the Sports Editor in managing the day-to-day operations of the sports desk.
• Coordinate assignments for sports reporters, photographers, and contributors.
• Edit and proofread sports stories, features, interviews, analyses, and multimedia content before publication.
• Ensure sports content meets editorial standards, accuracy, fairness, and ethical journalism practices.
• Support digital-first publishing strategies to enhance online readership and audience engagement.
• Monitor breaking sports news and assist in coordinating timely coverage across all platforms.
• Prepare headlines, captions, and story layouts suitable for print and digital publishing.
• Assist in planning coverage for local and international sporting events, tournaments, and special features.
• Work closely with designers, photographers, and digital teams to produce compelling sports packages.
• Monitor audience trends, analytics, and competitor activities to improve sports content performance.
• Mentor junior reporters and interns to strengthen reporting and writing skills.
• Stand in for the sports editor during absence when required.
• Ensure timely submission and publication of sports content according to newsroom deadlines.
• Maintain professional relationships with sports stakeholders, clubs, federations, athletes, and agencies.

• Strong editorial and news judgment skills.
• Good leadership and coordination abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong knowledge of local and international sports.
• Experience in digital media publishing and multimedia storytelling is an added advantage.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English and Swahili.
• Familiarity with newsroom systems, digital platforms, and content management tools.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, or a related field.
• 3–5 years’ experience in sports journalism or editorial work.