Writer – Futurelect

The writer is responsible for generating innovative content ideas and conducting research on concepts that can be documented and easily understood by a broad audience. The Writer will work closely with the marketing, research, fundraising, and leadership teams to craft compelling, strategic content that stands out.

About Futurelect

Founded in 2018 in Johannesburg, Futurelect is a non-profit and public benefit organisation dedicated to transforming political and government leadership across Africa. We are committed to equipping a new generation of young, ethical leaders in Africa with the skills and knowledge required to serve their communities effectively, responsibly and with integrity.

Our non-partisan leadership programmes are designed to cultivate diverse, highly skilled political leaders who will improve government and strengthen democracy across the continent. They primarily target young African women aged 18-45 who are either already on a path to political or public office leadership or aspire to assume these roles.

Futurelect also offers an online Civic Education Programme in South Africa, providing access to independently peer-reviewed, nonpartisan courses on democracy and governance. It is primarily targeted at South Africans aged 16-34 and is freely accessible and beneficial to all.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Content Development & Writing

1. Write, edit, and proofread a wide range of content, including:
1. Funder applications and narrative reports;
2. Research papers and political analysis;
3. News stories, blog posts, and opinion pieces;
4. Social media content, captions, and scripts;
5. Website and blog content writing.

Research & Analysis

1. Conduct background research on political topics, policies, and developments across Africa;
2. Translate data and research into engaging, audience-appropriate content.

Internal and External Communications

1. Collaborate with internal teams (research, comms, leadership) to align messaging and tone;
2. Meet with subject matter experts to ensure specialised topics are appropriately addressed;
3. Review and edit content developed by other members of the team;
4. Provide general copyediting support to team members with writing-heavy deliverables;
5. Assist in drafting executive speeches, talking points, or campaign messaging.
6. Support in developing a clear and consistent editorial voice for Futurelect;
7. Develop weekly columns in partnership with the CEO;
8. Help shape content calendars and digital content planning.

General

1. Monitor all materials and communications for accuracy, consistency, compliance, and alignment with Futurelect’s brand identity and content management policies;
2. Manage paperwork and filing and ensure that documents are appropriately shared and stored in Google Drive;
3. Manage Futurelect’s Grammarly account style guide and update it to ensure a common language and writing style across the production of organisational materials;
4. Have a flair for making complex political issues accessible and engaging.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Relevant qualification in Journalism, or a related field is beneficial but not required;
2. 2+ years experience in the same or similar role is preferred;
3. Strong writing, editing, and communication skills;
4. Ability to draft documents professionally and without grammatical error;
5. Proficiency in English; one or more African languages is preferred;
6. Proficiency in Google Suite, Grammarly, Zoom, Monday.com and familiarity with digital marketing tools and social media platforms.

Skills:

1. Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills;
2. Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively;
3. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
4. Strong writing and presentation skills.

Attributes:

1. Enthusiasm for learning and a proactive attitude towards taking on new challenges;
2. Creativity;
3. Resilience;
4. Problem-solving;
5. Initiative;
6. Passionate about Futurelect’s mission; committed to reforming and diversifying the public sector leadership and civic engagement in Africa.

Our Work Style

Futurelect values hard and smart work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst having fun along the way. We respect and support people’s lives outside of work. We are an agile, high-performing team in a flexible and supportive workplace — from location to hours and holidays — asking all members to consider the needs and deadlines of the team. We are committed to building an organisation that is great for Africa and the world, and great for the people who work with us.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

Futurelect was founded on the principle of diversity and inclusion in the public sector in Africa, where politics and government remain dominated by one gender and age demographic. We believe deeply in the importance of diversity and inclusion, and have these values embedded in our programme selection processes, as well as in our hiring practises. We operate on the principle that a candidate recruitment or selection process can never be considered meritorious unless it is also rooted in diversity.

Futurelect is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to prevent discrimination against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, colour, gender, national origin (ancestry), age, religion, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, sub-contractors, vendors, and clients.

NB: Candidates who progress beyond the interview stage will be required to complete a short assignment to further assess their skills and critical thinking.

We’re building a vibrant platform for connecting talented media and creative professionals with exciting opportunities across Africa.