Through large-scale restoration and rewilding, NATURAL STATE secures biodiversity, sequesters and stores carbon, and helps achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our goal at the NATURAL STATE research centre is to develop technology and financial systems that will catalyse large-scale restoration globally as well as help train future leaders for this...

Enable Fundraising Success: Donors and investors immediately understand Natural State's unique value proposition, why it is credible, and what their money enables. Proposal development time is reduced by half. Conversion rates increase.

Build Global Visibility Pathways: Natural State has a clear, credible narrative and media strategy designed to secure top-tier global coverage (TIME, Bloomberg, The Economist, Reuters). The internal team knows exactly who to pitch, when, and with what.

Create Institutional Communications Capacity: Natural State's internal Communications Officer inherits a complete, documented system — messaging framework, asset library, editorial calendar, media contacts, Q&A repository — and is trained to use it. The organization is not dependent on external agencies for day-to-day execution.

Deliver Launch-Ready Assets & Plans: Major initiatives (ACNRR, new finance products) have fully developed narratives, collateral, and media plans. Natural State can activate these at the right moment with confidence and speed.

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 team members with clear time commitments.
• Relevant client references.

• 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 templates for proposals, concept notes, pitch decks, one-pagers, fact sheets, case studies, media kits, and digital content.
• Develop a Q&A Repository.
• Create 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.
• Develop a Communications Officer Role Definition & Recruitment Package.
• Conduct 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
• Global media strategy
• Ethical storytelling
• Community partnerships

• Proven experience in Communications Infrastructure & Systems Design (building reusable templates/toolkits).
• Proven commitment to Capacity Transfer & Handover (training clients, documenting for sustainability).
• 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 team members with clear time commitments.
• Relevant client references.
• BA/BSc/HND