BLACK SASH COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA INTERN

One-year paid internship opportunity at the Black Sash National Office in Claremont, Cape Town.

The Black Sash works towards the realisation of socio-economic rights, with emphasis on social security and social protection for the most vulnerable, particularly women and children. Black Sash’s Internship Programme works to deepen an understanding of the human rights context, and the struggle for the realisation of these rights in South Africa. We, therefore, seek to appoint a qualified intern to develop and produce materials that are fresh and creative.

The purpose of this Internship is to: 

• Enhance Organisational Visibility: Leverage the intern's skills to increase Black Sash’s online presence and amplify messaging around advocacy and key events like the upcoming Sash70 celebrations.
• Support Advocacy Initiatives: The intern will contribute to communication for advocacy, ensuring that the public remains informed about critical human rights and social protection issues.
• Skills Transfer Across Functions: The intern’s role will provide opportunities to interact with various departments, ensuring a holistic understanding of Black Sash’s work and the broader nonprofit sector.
• Support Strategic Communication Goals: Assist in meeting Black Sash’s strategic communication objectives, including media outreach, stakeholder engagement, and event coordination.

The core responsibilities of the one-year paid internship starting in January 2024 will be to strengthen and enhance the Black Sash’s Communications and Media unit by providing support to the Communications and Media Manager.

Deliverables will include: 

1. Content Creation and Management: Create and curate engaging content for Black Sash’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram) to increase the visibility of the organisation’s mission and projects. Assist in managing the organisation’s updated website by updating content related to advocacy efforts and ongoing campaigns. Collaborate on developing communication materials (press releases, newsletters, blog posts) that reflect Black Sash’s work in human rights and social protection.
2. Media Engagement: Support in coordinating media coverage, including drafting press releases, arranging interviews, and developing media kits for journalists. Monitor media coverage related to Black Sash and broader human rights issues, providing reports that can be used to adjust communication strategies.
3. Social Media and Visibility Enhancement: Develop and implement strategies to increase engagement on Black Sash’s social media platforms, particularly in relation to the Sash70 celebrations. Track analytics and performance metrics for social media posts to refine future communication strategies.
4. Planning and Supporting Sash70 Celebrations: Assist in planning, coordinating, and promoting events for the Sash70 anniversary celebrations, ensuring alignment with Black Sash’s objectives of visibility and stakeholder engagement. Engage in outreach to media and partners for the event to ensure optimal coverage and participation.
5. Advocacy Communication Support: Contribute to communication strategies that advocate for human rights and social protection, ensuring alignment with community needs and current social issues in South Africa. Develop messaging that addresses intersecting social issues affecting South Africa’s poor, amplifying Black Sash's advocacy work.

Enhanced Skills and Experiences for the Intern:

• Digital Media Expertise: By managing social media platforms and the website, the intern will develop a keen understanding of digital media strategies, content creation, and audience engagement.
• Media Relations: Hands-on experience in managing relationships with journalists and media houses, crafting press releases, and understanding media’s role in advocacy.
• Project Management: Exposure to assisting in the coordination of large-scale events like the Sash70 will enhance skills in event planning, stakeholder management, and execution.
• Strategic Communication: The intern will learn how to tailor communication strategies to promote social justice, ensuring that advocacy messaging

Minimum Requirements: 

1. Recent graduate from a tertiary institution
2. History of community service
3. Good command of spoken and written English and at least one other South African language
4. Willing to travel 
5. Proven previous writing experience (university website/newspaper/radio)
6. Basic graphic design, photography, and video editing skills

The Black Sash is committed to transformation and gender empowerment; therefore, preference will be given to women, who come from historically Black tertiary institutions in South Africa. 

Closing Date:             22 November 2024

Start Date:                  January 2025 to December 2025

Opportunity Type:    Internship

Monthly Stipend:        R 14 000

To apply, submit a Motivational Letter and CV, including three contactable referees to:

jobs@blacksash.org.za or for enquiries contact Mr JS Marques at (021) 140 1900. 

Should you not hear from us within a month from the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.