About the Organisation
Life After Coal (Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle) is a joint campaign by Earthlife Africa, groundWork, and the Centre for Environmental Rights. We aim to: discourage the development of fossil fuel developments; reduce emissions from existing coal infrastructure and encourage a coal phase-out; and enable a just transition from fossil fuels.
About the Job
The Communications Coordinator must be an experienced, dynamic and passionate communications professional who will provide strategic and creative communications leadership to the campaign, directing media relations for key media events, and generally to manage, protect, and nurture the Life After Coal campaign’s public profile.
The Communications Coordinator will report to the Campaign Coordinator and the campaign steering committee, and will work closely with the communications staff of partners across the campaign.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the Life After Coal communications team, in collaboration with the communications staff of all three partner organisations
Fully engage with and create an implementation plan for the LAC Communications Strategy
Produce communications materials in line with the communications implementation plan, using both existing and new materials
Assist in developing and designing policy briefs and other relevant, succinct materials for use in LAC’s work with governmental stakeholders
Manage the design of a look-and-feel guide for LAC general materials and social media posts
Manage the design of visual templates for policy briefs, social media posts, fact-and-action posts, infographics
Be a central point of contact for the writing of op eds and other media pieces, bringing together others’ expertise on certain matters and ensuring that the correct information is shared in a relatable, accessible way
Direct media relations for key media events, including working with campaign partners’ staff to produce media releases and fact sheets
Build and manage relationships with journalists and influencers
Remain abreast of relevant current affairs and develop press statements, with the assistance of others in LAC, and publish them strategically to gain improved media traction
Using the LAC Communications Strategy, continue to develop a social media strategy that plans social media posts alongside a calendar
Create and schedule content to be posted online in line with the social media strategy
Manage the Life after Coal campaign’s online presence and resources; including website and social media accounts
Manage communication with key media and other stakeholders
Liaise with communications staff in campaign partners, and in other partner organisations
Report progress on project deliverables to partners and funders.
Requirements
At least 10 years’ experience in strategic communications work. A background in the social and/or environmental justice sector is preferred
Relevant undergraduate qualification, i.e. in journalism, communications, English, or media studies
A knowledge of fossil fuels and their impact on local communities.
Experience in producing campaign communications, for a variety of audiences including industry, government, and communities affected by environmental injustice.
Experience in mainstream media relations, with existing networks and relationships with media outlets and journalists, as well as experience in community media relations an added advantage
Firm grasp of social media platform tools, guidelines, and policies; with WordPress experience an advantage
Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Drive will be an advantage
Experience managing publishing processes
Excellent coordination, collaboration and teamwork skills
Strong self-starter and ability to work independently as well as in a team
Excellent English writing skills; fluency in one or more additional South African language(s) would be a strong advantage
Excellent interpersonal skills over email, by phone and in person
A sensitivity to inequality, social issues, and the needs of communities impacted by environmental degradation and injustice, and a passion for social and environmental justice
A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and transformation.
To apply
Please note that this is a consultancy contract running until the end of September 2025, with a possibility of renewal depending on funding and performance.
The Life After Coal campaign is committed to diversity, inclusion and transformation and strives to reflect South Africa’s racial, cultural, sex and gender diversity within its campaign staff. Candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups as well as community activists are strongly encouraged to apply for this post, and will be preferred.
In order to apply, email your application by Monday 13th January 2025 to melissa@actionappointments.co.za - send your completed AA bio form, letter of motivation and updated CV (all in MS Word format).
About the Organisation
Life After Coal (Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle) is a joint campaign by Earthlife Africa, groundWork, and the Centre for Environmental Rights. We aim to: discourage the development of fossil fuel developments; reduce emissions from existing coal infrastructure and encourage a coal phase-out; and enable a just transition from fossil fuels.
About the Job
The Communications Coordinator must be an experienced, dynamic and passionate communications professional who will provide strategic and creative communications leadership to the campaign, directing media relations for key media events, and generally to manage, protect, and nurture the Life After Coal campaign’s public profile.
The Communications Coordinator will report to the Campaign Coordinator and the campaign steering committee, and will work closely with the communications staff of partners across the campaign.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the Life After Coal communications team, in collaboration with the communications staff of all three partner organisations
Fully engage with and create an implementation plan for the LAC Communications Strategy
Produce communications materials in line with the communications implementation plan, using both existing and new materials
Assist in developing and designing policy briefs and other relevant, succinct materials for use in LAC’s work with governmental stakeholders
Manage the design of a look-and-feel guide for LAC general materials and social media posts
Manage the design of visual templates for policy briefs, social media posts, fact-and-action posts, infographics
Be a central point of contact for the writing of op eds and other media pieces, bringing together others’ expertise on certain matters and ensuring that the correct information is shared in a relatable, accessible way
Direct media relations for key media events, including working with campaign partners’ staff to produce media releases and fact sheets
Build and manage relationships with journalists and influencers
Remain abreast of relevant current affairs and develop press statements, with the assistance of others in LAC, and publish them strategically to gain improved media traction
Using the LAC Communications Strategy, continue to develop a social media strategy that plans social media posts alongside a calendar
Create and schedule content to be posted online in line with the social media strategy
Manage the Life after Coal campaign’s online presence and resources; including website and social media accounts
Manage communication with key media and other stakeholders
Liaise with communications staff in campaign partners, and in other partner organisations
Report progress on project deliverables to partners and funders.
Requirements
At least 10 years’ experience in strategic communications work. A background in the social and/or environmental justice sector is preferred
Relevant undergraduate qualification, i.e. in journalism, communications, English, or media studies
A knowledge of fossil fuels and their impact on local communities.
Experience in producing campaign communications, for a variety of audiences including industry, government, and communities affected by environmental injustice.
Experience in mainstream media relations, with existing networks and relationships with media outlets and journalists, as well as experience in community media relations an added advantage
Firm grasp of social media platform tools, guidelines, and policies; with WordPress experience an advantage
Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Drive will be an advantage
Experience managing publishing processes
Excellent coordination, collaboration and teamwork skills
Strong self-starter and ability to work independently as well as in a team
Excellent English writing skills; fluency in one or more additional South African language(s) would be a strong advantage
Excellent interpersonal skills over email, by phone and in person
A sensitivity to inequality, social issues, and the needs of communities impacted by environmental degradation and injustice, and a passion for social and environmental justice
A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and transformation.
To apply
Please note that this is a consultancy contract running until the end of September 2025, with a possibility of renewal depending on funding and performance.
The Life After Coal campaign is committed to diversity, inclusion and transformation and strives to reflect South Africa’s racial, cultural, sex and gender diversity within its campaign staff. Candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups as well as community activists are strongly encouraged to apply for this post, and will be preferred.
In order to apply, email your application by Monday 13th January 2025 to melissa@actionappointments.co.za - send your completed AA bio form, letter of motivation and updated CV (all in MS Word format).
