Storytelling & Content Lead at Thanda, KZN South Coast

Thanda is a non-profit changing community dynamics in rural Mtwalume on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. They run integrated programmes in Early Childhood Development, After-School Child & Youth Development, Organic Farming, and Food Security that impact thousands of people daily. As the Storytelling & Content Lead, you will be the primary field-to-funder engine room, collecting quality photos, videos, and narrative stories from the community, beneficiaries, and staff across all 17 programmes.

You will report to the Head of Partnerships & Communication and spend a lot of time in the field, building trust with children and adults. Your work will involve conducting focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and longitudinal case study tracking to build a centralised Field Vault of media assets and qualitative insights. This vault will be used by the team to produce high-impact funder reports, communications, corporate CSI bids, grant proposals, and executive thought leadership.

This is a full-time position based at the Hibberdene office with daily travel to the inland Community Centre. It is ideal for someone who lives on, or is willing to relocate to, the beautiful KZN South Coast. The role is not available remotely or partially remotely. Thanda offers flexible working hours within an atmosphere of trust and teamwork.

To apply, email your CV (max 4 pages, PDF) and a one-page cover letter (PDF) to applications@thanda.org. Please do not send any additional documents at this stage. Use the subject line: Application: Storytelling & Content Lead 2026_[Insert Your Name]. Application deadline: 13 November 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Please do not call the office.

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in a relevant field
• Minimum of 1 year relevant professional work experience required; 3 or more years preferred
• Strong field photography and 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
• Excellent writing skills preferred
• Deep cultural competency
• Qualitative research skills
• Knowledge of M&E frameworks preferred
• High emotional intelligence, active listening skills, and 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
• Driver's licence and willingness to drive daily between various programme sites

• Capture high quality, dignified field photography and basic audio/video recordings during research sessions
• Design, plan, and facilitate regular focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and participant discussions across all 17 programmes
• Write comprehensive, human-centred case studies, impact summaries, and qualitative narratives for donors and grant-makers
• Build, index, and continuously update a centralised digital repository of narrative quotes, case studies, and field photography
• Partner with report managers, grant writers, and communications leads to supply tailored qualitative evidence for funder reports and proposals
• Spend significant time in the field with community members, beneficiaries, and staff
• Identify, extract, synthesise, and package deep human-centred stories and qualitative research for use by the wider team