Wanted: magazine journalism mentor to help change the world

Part-time role for someone who is passionate about magazines, able to relate to young people, and encourage, support and help nurture young talent.

Live Magazine is a new SA-wide youth magazine title launching mid-November – all created by young people themselves. We are now looking for a magazine journalist to become our part-time editorial mentor, overseeing the team of trainee journalists as a mentor and facilitator.

Live Magazine is a quarterly publication originally from London: a glossy youth magazine featuring an inspirational mix of gritty youth culture and information, advice, career guidance and things to do for a mainstream urban youth audience. The twist: everything in the magazine is produced by young people themselves, from the commissioning and editing, to the design, layout and distribution. Its mission: to give life-changing skills development and employability training for its participants, and to educate tens of thousands of young readers with an inspiring, engaging and entertaining mix of arts, culture, sports and fashion mixed with hard-hitting youth issues and crucial information and guidance for young people.

Live Magazine is now looking for someone with strong magazine/ editing experience to work as an editorial mentor for our team: to oversee a team of young people, guiding the editorial process, creative and production processes through to the launch of the second issue in early 2012. Funded by the Shuttleworth Foundation, Live Magazine’s first edition is out now – giving opportunities to a core team of dedicated young people from less privileged backgrounds to take ownership of their own publication, and provide relevant and credible youth content for tens of thousands of South African youth.

Ideal candidates will have their own credible freelance careers, or be looking for a challenge or a change: but a commitment to bringing out the best in young people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds is essential. We like people who are optimistic, open-minded, well-connected, flexible and able to keep their hands off the keyboard, stay cool amongst chaos and ensure young people take ownership.

You’ll be working in a small team led by Gavin Weale, Shuttleworth Foundation fellow and publisher of Live Magazine in the UK, now relocated to Cape Town to launch the magazine. Initial short contracts with opportunities to extend.

Salary based on experience and time commitment. To apply, or if you have any questions, please send a CV and covering letter to gavin (at) livityafrica (dot) com