National Individual Consultant: Writer and Editor

Hashtag Nonprofit NPC; Pretoria; Remote; ZAR 400,000 - 500,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading international organization in Pretoria is seeking a short-term Writer and Editor to support the communication team. Responsibilities include writing, editing, and proofreading various UNICEF publications and ensuring alignment with branding guidelines. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field and a minimum of five years of experience in communication. The role offers a consultancy contract for a duration of five months.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years relevant experience in communication and writing for external audiences.
• Ability to simplify technical language for a wider audience.
• Knowledge of UNICEF's style guidelines is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Draft original content for various publications and platforms.
• Edit and proofread documents for clarity and consistency.
• Ensure quality assurance in alignment with UNICEF's branding.

Skills

Outstanding writing skills in English

Detail oriented

Knowledge of South Africa's development

Computer skills (MS applications)

Education

Degree in Journalism, Communications or related field

Job description

• UNICEF South Africa
  
  

National Individual Consultant: Writer and Editor at UNICEF

• Deadline:
  
  

27 July 2025

• Region:
  
  

Pretoria (Home-based)

• Type of employment:
  
  

Temporary

Job Description

National Individual Consultant: Writer and Editor, Pretoria, South Africa, 5 months (Home-based)

Job no: 582170

Contract type: Consultant

Duty Station: Pretoria

Level: Consultancy

Location: South Africa

Categories: Communication

UNICEF is looking for a short–term writer to support the communication team in realising agreed communication plans for July – December 2025. Under the overall general guidance of the Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships this role is responsible for one or all of writing, editing, proofreading and quality assurance of human-interest stories, copy for photo essays, advocacy briefs, key messages, newsletters, media briefs, press releases, website resource hubs, blogs and social media content in English. The professional writer and editor is required to provide high-quality editing, proofreading, and writing services for various UNICEF publications and documents, under tight deadlines, as well as quality assurance to ensuring clarity, consistency, and adherence to UNICEF’s style guidelines. The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Communication Specialist at UNICEF South Africa.

UNICEF South Africa produces on a regular basis various documents for advocacy, accountability, awareness raising and fundraising purposes including policy briefs, programme briefs, donor proposals, human interest stories, blogs, social media content, etc. In addition, UNICEF develops content for its external communication channels to support programmatic behaviour and social change (SBC) objectives and interventions, e.g., on childhood immunisation, and to further promote its brand. Compelling written materials are an integral part of UNICEF’s brand as well as its advocacy efforts, and as such, the organization must ensure that its publications and other documents are professionally crafted following the organisation’s global communication guidelines and clearly understood, and that they resonate with their intended audience.

UNICEF South Africa country office requires external support for various communication products in the English language that will need to be developed by the Communications and Partnerships section in upcoming months. Deadlines may often come at short notice, and communication products vary in terms of effort and time. To avoid having to undertake a separate sourcing process for each individual assignment from different programme sections, the office wishes to assess the market and establish a consultancy with a professional writer and editor who will be awarded a contract to meet the immediate demands of this office’s content production. The consultancy deliverables are linked to the Advocacy and Communication Section’s Annual workplan, advocacy and branding, and support programmatic objectives.

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Communication Specialist at UNICEF South Africa.

UNICEF is looking for a short–term writer to support the communication team in realising agreed communication plans for July – December 2025. Under the overall general guidance of the Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships, this role is responsible for one or all of writing, editing, proofreading and quality assurance of human-interest stories, copy for photo essays, advocacy briefs, key messages, newsletters, media briefs, press releases, website resource hubs, blogs and social media content in English.

The professional writer and editor is required to provide high-quality editing, proofreading, and writing services for various UNICEF publications and documents, under tight deadlines, as well as quality assurance to ensuring clarity, consistency, and adherence to UNICEF’s style guidelines.

Roles and Responsibilities

The consultant will work closely with UNICEF’s communication team, and programme staff to develop written products, with compelling narratives that highlight UNICEF’s programmes, youth engagement, impact, and advocacy efforts. This includes participating in weekly section meetings and brainstorming sessions, contributing creative ideas for content development, and working with colleagues to provide edits and guidance, or to refine specialist content.

Specific Responsibilities Are

• Writing: Drafting original content for UNICEF publications, reports, websites, social media, and other communication channels.
• Editing: Improving word choice, flow, logic, clarity, and consistency, and ensuring materials are tailored to the intended audience and purpose.
• Proofreading: Correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors; verifying accuracy and ensuring consistency in formatting and style.
• Quality Assurance: Ensuring coherence with UNICEF’s writing style guidelines, and alignment with UNICEF’s messaging and branding.
  
  

Qualifications And Requirements

• A degree or diploma in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Creative Writing, International Relations, Political Studies, English, Literature, or a related field
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in communication and writing for external audience, on different platforms
• Outstanding writing skills in English with demonstrated ability for logical and analytical writing as well as ‘de-jargoning’ technical language for a wider audience
• Knowledge and understanding of South Africa and its development, particularly its child-rights context
• Detail oriented
• Computer skills required (MS applications)
• Knowledge and experience applying UNICEF’s style guidelines will be an advantage
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset
  
  

How to apply

Please indicate your ability and availability; and attach a technical proposal and financial proposal in ZAR to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable). Proposals submitted without a detailed financial proposal aligned to the assignment will not be considered.

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More about this vacancy

• Date posted:
  
  

21 July 2025

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