Features Writer, TechCabal

TechCabal is one of the most important publications covering technology and the startup ecosystem in Africa over the last decade. From reporting on the most important happenings to providing insight and analysis, and seminal events and hosting conversations with major players, we’ve played an essential role in understanding tech in Africa.

We are in the middle of a pivotal transformation. Moving beyond just breaking the news to tech insiders, our broader mission now focuses on providing the context and insights necessary to help the industry contextualize developments and gain a deeper understanding of the tech landscape. We aim to become the most important publication covering the business and impact of technology in Africa, engaging not only insiders but everyone affected by and curious about technology on the continent.

About the Role

We are seeking a Features Writer to contribute to our mission of delivering insightful and impactful features on the business and impact of technology in Africa. This role offers a unique opportunity to produce high-quality content, shaping the narrative around technology’s role on the continent. You will be instrumental in crafting stories that align with TechCabal’s vision and engage a broad audience.

Reporting directly to the Features Director, the Features Writer will identify, research, and write compelling stories that maintain the highest editorial standards. You will work closely with the editorial team and collaborate with various departments to create engaging feature articles.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and pitch feature story ideas that align with TC’s editorial agenda and resonate with our audience.
• Conduct thorough research to develop well-rounded, in-depth stories on complex and important topics in the tech ecosystem.
• Write compelling and high-quality feature articles, including interviews, profiles, and various other formats.
• Ensure all stories are factually accurate, well-researched, and maintain the publication’s voice and style.
• Work closely with the Features Editor/Director to refine story ideas and angles.
• Collaborate with the newsroom, design, video, and tech teams to create visually appealing and engaging feature stories.
• Adhere to TC’s editorial guidelines and standards.
• Incorporate feedback from editors to continuously improve the quality of your writing.
• Engage with the audience to understand their interests and incorporate this feedback into future stories.
• Participate in social media and other platforms to promote and discuss feature stories.
• Stay updated on trends and developments within the tech industry to identify new story opportunities.
• Explore and experiment with new storytelling techniques and formats to enhance reader engagement.
• Assist in coordinating with external contributors to ensure a steady stream of high-quality feature stories.
• Provide support and feedback to contributors as needed.
• Seek mentorship and guidance from senior editors to develop skills in feature writing and storytelling.
• Attend workshops and training sessions to enhance writing skills and industry knowledge.
• Analyze audience feedback and performance metrics to refine and improve feature content.
• Use data-driven insights to better meet the needs and interests of our readers.
• Manage your workflow to meet deadlines and ensure timely publication of feature stories.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate for the Features Writer position at TechCabal will possess a blend of journalistic expertise, creativity, and a passion for technology. Here are the key qualities and qualifications we are looking for:

Journalistic Expertise:

• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in journalism, with a focus on feature writing.
• Proven track record in writing high-quality, impactful feature stories.
• Ability to identify interesting stories and develop them into compelling narratives.
• Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring all feature stories are factually accurate and well-crafted.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and compellingly.
• An understanding of audience needs and interests, with the ability to create content that speaks to a diverse readership.

Creativity and Innovation:

• A passion for experimenting with diverse storytelling formats, including interviews, profiles, and multimedia elements, to enhance audience engagement.
• Ability to stay updated on trends and developments in the tech industry to identify new story opportunities.

Collaboration and Adaptability:

• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with team members, contributors, and sources.
• Ability to incorporate feedback and continuously improve the quality of your writing.

Geographical Flexibility:

• While a physical presence in Lagos, Nigeria (our home base) is preferred, being based somewhere on the African continent will be considered to ensure a deep connection with the region’s tech ecosystem.

Curiosity, Imagination, and Ambition:

• Curiosity: An insatiable curiosity about the intersection of technology and society, always seeking to uncover new stories and perspectives.
• Imagination: Creativity in storytelling and a vision for how to present stories in innovative ways.
• Ambition: A drive to contribute to TechCabal’s mission of becoming the most important publication covering the business and impact of technology in Africa.

Working at Big Cabal Media

You’ll be joining a group of focused, hard-working, creative people who are passionate about doing work that’s challenging and telling stories that matter.

We’re a digital company with a hybrid work set up. We use Slack, Google Docs, Notion and other tools to keep on top of things.

We typically try to arrange work between 9am and 6pm WAT, but we don’t have a stick up our butt about hours. We care about quality and results. Our people get things done fast and well, and we ask them to take care of themselves. Burnout isn’t fun or useful.

While collaborative work will be the norm and is the requirement, people who want to work at BCM must also demonstrate initiative and the ability to work independently.

Apply here