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One Year Consultancy | Project Development Consultant

Community Media Sustainability and Digital Innovation – One-Year Consultancy

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa (with national travel required)
Reports to: Executive Director, Association of Independent Publishers
Duration: 12-Month Consultancy Contract

Background

The Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) is a national organisation that supports independent and community publishers across South Africa. AIP works to strengthen public interest journalism, promote media diversity, and improve the long-term sustainability of grassroots and independent media.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the development of a strong pipeline of innovative, practical, and fundable projects that contribute to:

  • Sustainable digital transformation and innovation;
  • Audience growth and engagement;
  • Revenue diversification;
  • Improved operational efficiency;
  • Collaboration between publishers; and
  • Stronger public interest journalism across South Africa.

The consultant must be able to translate sector challenges into realistic and implementable projects that have measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Project Development and Pipeline Building
  • Work closely with publishers to identify needs, challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions.
  • Assist publishers to conceptualise practical projects that improve sustainability, digital capacity, audience engagement, and operational effectiveness.
  • Develop project templates for both individual publisher projects and collective or industry-wide initiatives.
  • Ensure projects align with the strategic objectives of AIP, the Digital News Transformation Fund (DNTF), and other appropriate donor priorities.
  1. Sector Engagement and Collaboration
  • Facilitate collaboration and partnership opportunities between publishers, technology providers, trainers, researchers, universities, NGOs, and other partners.
  • Assist in identifying opportunities for collective services, shared infrastructure, and cooperative initiatives.
  • Support the sharing of best practices, innovation, and lessons learned across the sector.
  1. Fundraising and Donor Engagement
  • Identify potential funding opportunities from local and international donors.
  • Work with the AIP Executive Director and relevant stakeholders to align project development with donor priorities.
  • Develop high-quality concept notes, funding proposals, presentations, and supporting documentation.
  • Maintain an understanding of donor compliance requirements, reporting expectations, and funding trends.
  • Assist publishers and AIP to strengthen relationships with funders and development partners.
  1. Management of pilot projects
  • Manage one to two pilot projects to test ideas when and if required.
  • Support AIP members who have been funded by the DNTF.

Required Qualifications and Experience

  • A relevant undergraduate degree in Media Studies, Communications, Development Studies, Journalism, Business, Project Management, or a related field.
  • A minimum of three years’ experience in project development, fundraising, proposal writing, donor engagement, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience developing successful funding proposals and working with donors or development agencies.
  • Strong understanding of the South African media landscape, particularly the community and independent media sector.
  • Good understanding of digital media trends, platform changes, and the challenges linked to digital transition.
  • Experience in community development, social innovation, or civil society work will be advantageous.
  • Experience working with diverse stakeholders and facilitating collaborative initiatives.

Travel

The consultancy will require a driver’s licence. There will be periodic travel across South Africa to engage with publishers, stakeholders, and project partners.

Duration and Remuneration

This is a one-year consultancy contract. Remuneration will be negotiated based on experience and qualifications.

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Please send your CV to Erin Magrobi on [email protected]. Please include – AIP Project Development Consultant in the subject line. Please include a short motivation letter re: why you would be suitable for the post and a half page explanation of your understanding of what sustainability entails in a community media context.

The deadline is 19th June with a start date of 1 July if possible.

 

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