Communications Lead

Action Appointments Development Recruitment (Pty) Ltd; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 700 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental justice in South Africa seeks a Communications Lead to amplify the stories of community-based activists and position the organization as a leader in participatory grant-making. This remote role offers a one-year contract with a salary range of R700 000 – R800 000 based on experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of work experience in a similar role.
• Ability to write different types of communications products for diverse audiences.
• Desire to advance social and environmental justice in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Develop a Communications Strategy for EJF.
• Draft content for EJF’s website and publications.
• Oversee the work of the Communications Facilitator.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Excellent writing in English

Relationship building

Education

Postgraduate qualification relevant to communications

Job description

The Environmental Justice Fund (EJF) is a fund by activists, for activists, working to advance climate justice and realise environmental rights by strengthening the environmental justice movement in South Africa. We do this by providing financial, capacity‑strengthening and networking support to community‑based organisations (CBOs). We are currently an 8‑person team based across South Africa. The CBOs we support are working on some of the most critical environmental justice challenges facing the planet today, including energy security and the Just Transition, environmentally harmful and exclusionary mining practices, food sovereignty and agro‑ecology, water justice, threats to human rights defenders, and waste management in informal settlements.

About the Job

As the Communications Lead, you will be part of a two‑person communications team and will report to the Executive Director. Your role will be to: a) support the work of community‑based environmental justice activism by creatively amplifying the stories and impact of EJF’s grantees; and b) raise EJF’s profile in the philanthropic world, positioning EJF as an emerging expert in participatory grant‑making in the global South.
This is full time one‑year contract with the possibility of renewal. This is a remote‑working position (based in South Africa. Salary range: R700 000 – R800 000 plus benefits (salary is dependent on experience).

Key Responsibilities

Developing a Communications Strategy for EJF.

Identifying opportunities for the development of strategic communications products.

Drafting content for EJF’s website and publications e.g. Annual Reports, Learning Series, Infographics.

Overseeing the work of the Communications Facilitator (such as reviewing planned social media content and quarterly reports to inform EJF’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning approach).

Innovating on the use of visual media to promote the work of EJF and its grantees.

Managing relationships with partners commissioned to provide communications support (eg design and layout of reports, production of audio‑visual materials).

Requirements

A postgraduate qualification relevant to communications.

At least 5 years’ work experience in a similar role.

A desire to contribute to advancing social and/or environmental justice in South Africa and some understanding of the circumstances of grassroots communities in South Africa.

Strategic thinking and an ability to see the big picture.

Ability to write different types of communications products for different audiences (such as philanthropy and community activists) – must be an excellent writer in English with strong attention to detail.

Ability to analyse and synthesize information, and distill lessons.

Ability to mentor and manage junior colleagues.

Creativity and innovation – we want you to identify new strategic communications opportunities for EJF.

Good eye for design, layout, photo selection, visual media.

Ability to build and manage relationships with partners.

Fluency in South African languages other than English is an advantage.

EJF is a feminist organisation and we particularly encourage applications from women.