Islamic Relief South Africa (IRSA) is a member of Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), a UK based international relief and development charity, which aims to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poorest people.
Position Identification
Position Title: Content Writer
Organisation: Islamic Relief South Africa
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Contract: 1-year fixed term
Reports to: Head of Department – Communications
Grade: To be added
Purpose of Position
Generate content for multiple channels including the Islamic Relief website and social media platforms as well as supporting and implementing our content strategy.
Overseeing the creation, shaping and development of compelling multiplatform editorial content to serve
the needs of IRSA and continuously tell the story of the organization’s great work locally and around the globe in inspiring ways.
As content writer you will play an important part in achieving this by taking responsibility for the standard of our content.
Deliver the editorial aspect of the marketing strategy, with a focus on fundraising, programming and advocacy.
Delivering all IRSA range of publications, managing the full process.
Ensure consistent and on-brand messaging as well as set editorial style and tone.
To be responsible for generating positive and well-represented coverage of the brand and managing the organization’s reputation.
To manage media relations.
To be responsible for managing relationships with partners and external suppliers.
Key Responsibilities
Creation and editing of content for IRSA.
To ensure that IRSA content standards, best practice and brand values are consistently upheld in the editorial sphere.
To help devise content plans to fit IRSA.
To co-ordinate content, ideas and action relating to the Crowdfunding site of Islamic Relief SA working closely with the HOD for Communications to produce advertising material for the website, social media, print and radio are properly implemented.
Proof read all content prior to digital publishing to ensure accuracy.
Close liaison with all members of IRSA from various departments, as well as Partner and Field Offices and external suppliers.
Ensure that the impact of Islamic Relief’s work is communicated to partners, multilateral agencies, donors, the Charities Commission, and other key stakeholders
Communicate with senior management to ensure that their vision and messages are reflected in Islamic Relief’s editorial materials.
As a member of the communications departement, lead on developing key messaging to promote Islamic Relief’s work more effectively and enhance and protect Islamic Relief’s reputation.
Routine writing tasks include the following:
Research, write and edit, and proofread content,
Write content related to IRSA local and international work,
Edit print documents for publication online,
Write material for the website.
Proofread of elements before it goes to production
Writing Interactive content for high level of presence in blogs, forums and other online properties of the company
Press release writing
Blogging
Creative writing
Article writing
Radio scripts and talking points for interviews
Collate reports on donor feedback reports as well as the annual report.
Analysis of industry content, finding and developing new ideas for content.
Create content for LinkedIn, Facebook pages/posts/twitter, Instagram.
Key Interfaces:
Working with the Head of Fund Development, Programmes and Communications.
Working with extended IR communications team.
External agencies and suppliers.
Educational Qualification:
Either a degree or equivalent in English, media/journalism/marketing or another communications discipline, or a relevant postgraduate qualification following a first degree on an unrelated topic, is essential
A professional qualification in Communications, Marketing, or Public Relations is desirable.
Knowledge and skills
Essential:
Fluent in writing, reading and speaking English
Exceptional communication skills and an eye for detail in writing, editing and proof-reading for a range of channels and audiences
Proven ability to convey complex and technical information persuasively and with clarity to diverse audiences, adapting to a wide range of print and web channels
Excellent written storytelling skills and knowledge of a variety of editorial techniques to produce impactful content
Proven creative project management skills with experience of multiple projects on tight and changeable schedules
Strong team-working ability, able to work in a collaborative manner and connect with people genuinely from a wide-range of backgrounds
Ability to take the initiative, working autonomously where required
Strategic, innovative and results focused – ability to draw on data and translate strategy into tactical action plans and deliverables that achieve results
Awareness of ethical standards of NGO reporting, with an appreciation for political sensitivities and PR risk implications
Awareness of the audiences that Islamic Relief communicates with, including the variations in approaches and subtleties between different stakeholders
Desirable:
An understanding of SEO and digital trends, and an ability to apply this knowledge to support our online engagement
An understanding of marketing techniques and trends
Sound financial and resource management, which enables strategic goals to be achieved
Sound understanding of development and humanitarian work at an international-level; knowledge of the global humanitarian and development arena and sensitive to the complexities in working with wide and diverse international NGOs
Ability to produce some basic designs using Adobe applications.
Key personal qualities
A genuine passion for storytelling, writing and meticulous editing
Committed to Islamic Relief’s values, upholding the highest standards in conduct and journalistic and ethical standards
Creative and inspiring thinker keen to share and implement ideas for impactful communications and able to overcome setbacks and motivate others
Self-motivated, self-sufficient in day-to-day working and confident in solving problems with the ability to rapidly adapt to changing situations and priorities
Willingness to occasionally work unsociable hours, including some weekends, to respond to urgent needs such as unfolding humanitarian emergencies
Willingness and ability to travel to Islamic Relief family and field offices around the world, and potentially to disaster zones, in order to gather content
Strong emotional intelligence and resilience, and able to maintain composure – acting in a calm and measured way, in difficult situations
A strategic mindset, focused on results and continuous improvement
Key Islamic Relief Qualities Required
It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and sympathy with Islamic values and principles as well as commitment to IR’s vision and mission as per below:
Excellence (Ihsan): Our actions in tackling poverty are marked by excellence in our operations and conduct which are deserving of the people we serve.
Sincerity (Ikhlas): In responding to poverty and suffering our efforts are driven by sincerity to God and the need to fulfil our obligations to humanity
Social Justice (Adl): Our work is founded on enabling people and institutions to fulfil the rights
of the poor and vulnerable. We work to empower the dispossessed towards realising their Godgiven human potential and developing their capabilities and resources.
Compassion (Rahma): We believe the protection and well-being of every life is of paramount importance and we shall join with other humanitarian actors to act as one in responding to suffering brought on by disasters, poverty and injustice.
Custodianship (Amana): We uphold our duty of custodianship over the earth, its resources and the trust people place in us as humanitarian and development practitioners to be transparent and accountable
Closing date: COB 19th August 2022
Please forward a copy of the completed application form (available on the website), 1 page motivational letter and your CV along with a certified copy of your ID to [email protected] before the 19th August 2022.