Writer jobs in South Africa

ABOUT CONSULUM

Consulum are the leading intelligence-led strategy and communications firm. We design and activate evidence-led programmes to deliver targeted outcomes for governments and businesses. Rooted in the MENA region and powered by the Stagwell Global Network, we bring deep insight, cutting-edge tools, and creative firepower to every challenge.

We combine unrivalled experience with proprietary research capabilities to generate the clarity leaders need to cut through complexity, act with precision, and deliver meaningful impact. Our vision is to set the global benchmark for how strategy and communications is used to deliver real-world outcomes.

As part of the Stagwell Global Network, we are linked to more than 13,000 colleagues across 40+ countries, each bringing expertise in communications, research, digital, advertising, transformation, and AI-powered tools. This connection gives us additional tools, insights, and capability to set the industry standard.

ABOUT THE ROLE

A unique opportunity has arisen to join Consulum’s new business team as mid-level proposal writer. This role is designed to meet the needs of Consulum’s expanding new business pipeline, which has fuelled the consultancy’s significant growth in the past 12 months. We are seeking an individual with a background in new business development and with a deep understanding of communications, policy and strategy to support the development of the new business collateral required to progress and convert a variety of leads across our sectors, geographies and disciplines.

Typically, the mid-level proposal writer would support multiple new business bids, often with competing deadlines. These include developing and project managing full technical and commercial responses to incoming RfPs; building detailed scopes of works for new projects; and maintaining up to date reporting and progress tracking across the business development pipeline. This individual will be required to work internally across the business and with colleagues at all levels to support project teams required to deliver every aspect of new business collateral. The role will also involve delivering feedback to colleagues, both peers and those more junior.

This individual must have the ability to think strategically and creatively to deliver innovative responses to a variety of briefs, accompanied with an appetite for detail and the ability to make sense of complex information. They must be able to lead projects and people, building strong relationships across the business.

• Managing and supporting end-to-end production of technical responses to incoming RFPs and new business briefs
• Reviewing new business documents produced by Consulum’s specialized practices for quality and accuracy, delivering feedback and training where required
• Developing new, creative and innovative approaches to Consulum’s new business collaterals to ensure they remain industry-leading and brand-enhancing
• Administrative and project management of all new business documents such as tracking, reporting and analysis

• Intelligence: structured, logical thinking and the ability to develop coherent presentations
• Creativity: conceptualizing and developing unique approaches to briefs
• English: excellent written and spoken business English
• Attention to detail: ability to absorb and simplify complex information at speed, picking up on details and nuances required to shape targeted responses to briefs
• PPT: sophisticated ability on PowerPoint; able to hit the ground running with minimal training

• Can-do: being resourceful, proactive, positive and problem-solving; able to impose meaning and shape a project when faced with minimal or vague briefs
• Stamina: can work on multiple projects with competing deadlines and handle large workloads
• Attachment to excellence: ability to set, instil and reinforce high standards for oneself and colleagues; a rigorous approach to quality assurance
• Innovation-orientation: curiosity and commitment to continual improvement

• Experience of working in new business development
• Experience of working in communications, strategy or policy
• Experience of structuring persuasive and creative pitch documents
• Experience of leading small teams within new functions, shaping their operations and creating innovative solutions

• Experience of working in or with governments
• Experience of working in the Middle East
• Ability to read and write in standard Arabic (for the purpose of reviewing RFP documents and basic translation and proofreading support)