Storytelling & Content Lead

Founded in 2008, Thanda is an innovative non-profit organisation changing community dynamics in rural Mtwalume on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Our integrated programmes in Early Childhood Development, After-School Child & Youth Development, Organic Farming, and Food Security directly impact thousands of individuals daily.

We are currently seeking a Storytelling & Content Lead to join our team. This person will play a key role in show-casing Thanda’s work, serving as the primary "field-to-funder" engine room for Thanda. Reporting to the Head of Partnerships & Communication, this role requires collecting quality photos and/or video, and narrative stories in various forms - including interviews and focus groups.

The person in this role will spend a lot of time in the field with the community, beneficiaries, and staff of our 17 programmes. The ongoing tasks of the person in this role are identifying, extracting, synthesizing, and packaging deep human-centred stories, as well as conducting and collecting relevant qualitative research, for use by the rest of the team.

Excellent people skills are central for this role, and this person needs to assimilate as a trusted member of the team who can positively relate to children and adults. This role is a high trust position, and requires someone with discretion, kindness, and strong ethics. Excellent communication skills in both Zulu and English are required, as well as strong interviewing skills. A person who excels in this role will be able to deeply relate with a range of people, and will ask poignant follow up questions rather than just the set of pre-determined questions. We are looking for someone who loves the art of telling real human stories, and has the skills to do this in a creative, ethical, and beautiful way.

By collecting media assets and conducting focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and longitudinal case study tracking, this role will build and maintain a centralised "Field Vault" of media assets and qualitative insights into our programmes. This vault will then be used by other members of the team, and thus directly fuels high-impact funder reports, communications, corporate CSI bids, grant proposals, and executive thought leadership.

Good photography and/or video skills are required for this role. Photo and/or video editing skills are also preferred. Additionally, graphic design skills would be an advantage.

Thanda is currently well known for its high quality impact reporting and artful storytelling, which are both important parts of our brand and identity as an organization. We are looking for the right team member to continue and strengthen this aspect of our work.

This is a full-time position based at Hibbedene office with daily travel to our inland Community Center. This position is ideal for someone who lives on, or is willing to relocate to, the beautiful KZN South Coast. This position is not available remotely or partially remotely. The culture at Thanda is one of passion, energy, hard work, and a good sense of humour. We promote flexible working hours with an atmosphere of trust and teamwork.

Core Responsibilities of the Role:

• Field Photography & Media Collection: Capture high-quality, dignified field photography and basic audio/video recordings during research sessions.
• Qualitative M&E & Focus Group Facilitation: Design, plan, and facilitate regular focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and participant discussions across all 17 programmes to assess qualitative impact and collect stories of community transformation.
• Deep Narrative Writing & Case Studies: Write comprehensive, human-centred case studies, impact summaries, and qualitative narratives that translate complex rural field dynamics into clear, compelling evidence for institutional donors and grant-makers.
• Field Vault Management: Build, index, and continuously update a centralised digital repository categorising narrative quotes, case studies, and verified field photography across Thanda's core thematic pillars.
• Cross-Team Asset Delivery: Partner directly with report managers, grant writers, and communications leads to supply tailored qualitative evidence for specific funder reports, corporate proposals, and thought leadership articles

Required Skills, Experience, and Attitude:

• Strong field photography & photo editing skills (Video skills preferred)
• Strong interviewing skills
• Superior long-form writing and qualitative synthesis skills
• Natural storyteller with a passion for human stories
• Strong narrative writing skills, excellent writing skills preferred
• Deep cultural competency
• Qualitative research skills
• Knowledge of M&E frameworks preferred
• High emotional intelligence
• Active listening skills
• Objective analytical thinking
• Ability to build instant trust with rural community members
• Highly trustworthy, with impeccable ethics and strong sense of discretion
• Strong sense of brand awareness
• High level of professional proficiency in both English and Zulu (absolutely required)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to meet deadlines with little oversight
• Flexibility and willingness to learn new skills
• Passion for development and community work
• Drivers license and willingness to drive daily between various programme sites

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in a relevant field
• AND a minimum of one year relevant professional work experience required, 3 or more years of relevant work experience preferred.

Flexible working hours

High level of professional proficiency in both English and Zulu (absolutely required)