About the Organisation
My Vote Counts (MVC) is a growing social justice NGO committed toa more participatory and accountable democracy. We focus on removing the influence of money in politics, political and electoral reform, and building people’s power. Our work spans research, advocacy, litigation, and supporting social movements.
About the Job
The Senior Strategic Communicator will lead the communications that sit at the heart of MVC’s advocacy work.
This is not a PR role. It’s a political one.
MVC’s looking for someone who understands communication as strategy — who can shape the stories, messages and narrative interventions that power campaigns, mobilise public pressure, and shift the terms of public debate. Someone who knows how to translate complex issues into clear, powerful frames. Who can turn rigorous research into persuasive public arguments. Who can transform campaign demands into compelling narratives — and political urgency into real-world momentum.
You’ll work hand-in-hand with campaigners, researchers and organisers to sharpen our voice, strengthen our positioning, and make our interventions bolder and more impactful.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Narrative & Messaging
Lead implementation of our existing messaging framework and sharpen it for political impact.
Develop narrative frames that expose injustice, call out power, and move public sentiment.
Anticipate political moments and craft fast, strategic responses that shift the debate.
Push creative and political boundaries in language, framing, and tactics.
Advocacy & Campaign Communications
Drive the communications for our advocacy campaigns and research - from strategy to execution.
Turn campaign and research objectives into messaging pillars, storyline arcs, and public‑facing content.
Produce compelling campaign materials: press statements, briefs, videos, social content, popular education tools, and more.
Popular education
Translate complex political and governance issues into accessible, engaging content.
Help build workshops, explainers, tools, and resources that deepen understanding and support organising.
Work with educators, organisers, and communities to ensure clarity, resonance, and impact.
Media & Public Influence
Build relationships with journalists.
Secure media coverage that strengthens campaigns - not vanity press.
Prepare spokespeople, craft talking points, and develop media lines that are sharp, principled, and uncompromising.
Shape media interventions that apply public pressure.
Digital Content & Creative Execution
Oversee social media, website content, and digital storytelling aligned with political strategy.
Write high quality newsletters that cut through noise, explain political developments, and strengthen reader alignment with campaign goals.
Work across multimedia formats to support campaigns and education work.
Experiment with formats that push beyond traditional NGO communications.
Movement & Civil Society Engagement
Align messaging and narrative strategy with movement partners, coalitions, and other civil society members.
Support donor communications only insofar as they strengthen the political and public impact of our work.
Requirements
At least 5 years of experience in a similar role within civil society.
Postgraduate degree in media, communications, politics, social sciences or similar.
Strong political instincts and an ability to read the moment.
Excellent writing and storytelling across formats.
Experience in advocacy and popular education.
Ability to craft simple, compelling arguments from complex information.
Comfort with experimentation, non-traditional formats, and pushing boundaries.
A commitment to justice, democracy, and building people’s power.
To apply
In order to apply, email your application by Friday 13th March 2026 to melissa@actionappointments.co.za - send your completed AA bio form, two samples of related communication work (written, visual, or multimedia), letter of motivation and updated CV (all in MS Word format).
