Background

We work with local communities, governments and organizations to conserve Africa’s important places. Africa is special. Its wild lands and waters are home to incredible numbers and diversity of species living close to people. For most rural Africans, connection to place takes on unique meaning, more so than anywhere else on Earth because their daily exi...

Scope of Work

The fixed-term engagement comprises five core workstreams:

Workstream 1: Donor Positioning & Messaging Architecture

• Deliverables: A core Narrative Framework & Message House; Audience-Specific Messaging Grid for funders; Proof Framework; comprehensive Narrative Architecture Document.

Workstream 2: Communications Infrastructure (The Toolkit)

• Deliverables: A modular system of reusable templates: Proposal & Concept Note suites; Pitch Deck architecture; One-Pager/Fact Sheet system; Case Study format; Media Kit; Digital Content templates; Q&A Repository; Asset Management & Governance guide.

Workstream 3: Donor-Facing Case Studies (Pilot Assets)

• Deliverables: 2-3 complete, outcome-led case studies in multiple formats (1-pager, detailed, slides); accompanying Case Study Methodology Guide.

Workstream 4: Global Visibility Strategy & Plan

• Deliverables: Media Audit & Landscape Analysis; Editorial Narrative & Angles; Target Media List (30-50 priority contacts); Spokesperson Readiness materials; 12-Month Media Engagement Plan; Crisis Communications Framework.

Workstream 5: Internal Capacity & Handover

• Deliverables: A 12-Month Communications Strategy & Execution Plan; Communications Officer Role Definition & Recruitment Package; a 2-Day Training Workshop; complete Handover Documentation & User Guide.

Excluded from Scope:

Ongoing social media management, press release writing, website development, video production, paid media, and event logistics.

Target Audiences & Ethical Storytelling

Natural State is an Africa-led organisation rooted in partnership with Indigenous peoples and local communities. How we tell stories about others is as important as what we tell stories about. We reserve the right to reject any proposed imagery, language, or storytelling approach that does not meet our ethical standards.

Primary (Tier 1):

Impact Investors, DFIs, Philanthropic Foundations, HNWIs, Corporate Partners. Communications must be designed first to secure their funding.

Secondary (Tier 2):

Global Media, Policymakers, Academia. Strategy will target building influence and reputation.

Tertiary (Tier 3):

Practitioner & Community Partners. Engagement requires an ethical framework ensuring informed consent, accurate representation, and reciprocity.

Agencies must demonstrate experience with ethical storytelling and community partnerships in African contexts.

Agency Qualifications

Non-Negotiable:

• Proven experience in Communications Infrastructure & Systems Design (building reusable templates/toolkits).
• Proven commitment to Capacity Transfer & Handover (training clients, documenting for sustainability).

Core Qualifications:

• Donor-first strategic positioning for complex organizations.
• Outcome-led storytelling showcasing data and impact.
• Global media strategy ambition, particularly for African based but globally operated entities.
• Delivery led by Senior named tea

• Develop a core Narrative Framework & Message House.
• Create an Audience-Specific Messaging Grid for funders.
• Develop a Proof Framework.
• Produce a comprehensive Narrative Architecture Document.
• Design a modular system of reusable communication templates.
• Develop Proposal & Concept Note suites.
• Design Pitch Deck architecture.
• Create a One-Pager/Fact Sheet system.
• Define a Case Study format.
• Develop a Media Kit.
• Create Digital Content templates.
• Establish a Q&A Repository.
• Develop an Asset Management & Governance guide.
• Produce 2-3 complete, outcome-led case studies in multiple formats.
• Develop an accompanying Case Study Methodology Guide.
• Conduct a Media Audit & Landscape Analysis.
• Define Editorial Narrative & Angles.
• Create a Target Media List (30-50 priority contacts).
• Develop Spokesperson Readiness materials.
• Create a 12-Month Media Engagement Plan.
• Develop a Crisis Communications Framework.
• Develop a 12-Month Communications Strategy & Execution Plan.
• Define Communications Officer Role Definition & Recruitment Package.
• Deliver a 2-Day Training Workshop.
• Provide complete Handover Documentation & User Guide.

• Communications Infrastructure & Systems Design
• Capacity Transfer & Handover
• Donor-first strategic positioning
• Outcome-led storytelling
• Data and impact showcasing
• Global media strategy
• Ethical storytelling
• Community partnerships

• Proven experience in Communications Infrastructure & Systems Design.
• Proven commitment to Capacity Transfer & Handover.
• Experience with donor-first strategic positioning for complex organizations.
• Experience with outcome-led storytelling showcasing data and impact.
• Experience with global media strategy, particularly for African based but globally operated entities.
• Experience with ethical storytelling and community partnerships in African contexts.