Freelance Journalist Volunteer

Africa Health Organisation (AHO) Role description

Africa Health Organisation (AHO) is an international health agency for Africa. It is looking for inspirational and determined freelance journalists to research and write stories on health in Africa. The journalists report news on health, medical issues, and the determinants of health. They also cover national and international stories, events, and African human-interest stories. Applications are welcome from anywhere in the world.

Duties and Responsibilities

• As a freelance journalist volunteer, your duties will include:
• researching existing stories on health related to Africa and publishing them on the website
• interviewing people on health in a range of different circumstances
• seeking out and investigating health stories, press releases and other media
• attending health press conferences and asking questions
• attending a range of events, such as health meetings, community health projects, contests
• reacting to breaking news stories on health and medical breakthrough
• producing concise and accurate copy and adhering to strict deadlines
• writing shorter, 'filler' stories to entertain, and researching and writing a longer feature article
• researching, creating and uploading news content for the organisation's website 'live' online reporting or real-time blogging when covering important events

Qualification, Skills and Experience

All potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• strong written and oral communication skills
• a keen interest in news, current affairs, business and people
• accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation
• good organisation skills and the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines
• an ability to grasp complex issues quickly and explain them in simple, concise language
• resilience, determination, flexibility, persistence, motivation and integrity.

Degrees Qualification

• • A journalism degree, Media studies, social media, or Studying a specific area of journalism, like health, development, SDGs, aid, sports, fashion, or broadcasting, and English or a related subject. A postgraduate qualification in journalism or broadcast journalism would be an added advantage.

Professional accreditations

• • Professional accreditations from organisations like the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) or the Broadcast Journalism Training Council are welcome.

Other qualifications

• • Diploma in Journalism or
  • National Qualification in Journalism

Work experience

• At least two (2) years of relevant work experience and a professional cuttings file (samples of your published writing).
• Someone who has taken every opportunity to write articles and reviews for school, college, university, local, free, national or specialist publications, especially if you get a byline (your name above the story).
• Get involved in student newspapers and try to build up a network of sources.