At a glance

Skills

Campaigning
Copywriting / Journalism
Marketing strategy
Public relations
Social media marketing
Media production (video/audio)

Where

London, W1J 5AP

Remote opportunity

Time

Mostly outside office hours Estimate of time needed:
1-3 hours / week This role is flexible and fits into the volunteer's commitments. We operate by the principle that family, work, & studies are paramount.

Deadline

01 Jul 2025

Visitors from Fifth Day

Welcome to Reach Volunteering. We are a community and registered charity that connects people, skills and good causes.

To apply for this role, and any other on our platform, you need to be based in the UK, have at least three years of experience using the skills you wish to volunteer in a professional capacity or have lived experience (for trustee roles). Read more about our criteria.

Could you help an international health organisation by writing news, events, stories and reports on health, medical issues, and the social determinants of health in Africa and the Diaspora?

What will you be doing?

Freelance Journalist Volunteers Role Description

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) will be 25 years old on 14 August 2025. We seek inspirational and determined freelance journalists to join us in celebrating our Silver Jubilee by writing news, events, stories and reports on health, medical issues, and the socioeconomic determinants of health in Africa and the Diaspora. 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
producing health press conferences and asking questions
writing about a range of events, such as health meetings, community health projects, contests
reacting to breaking news stories on health and medical breakthroughs
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 essential events
interviewing politicians, health professionals and the public on health issues affecting Africa
Interviewing AHO Global Goodwill Ambassadors, Board members, staff, volunteers and members

VOLUNTEERING IS NOT A PAID JOB

ALL our Volunteer Opportunities are not paid or salaried. Do not apply if you want a paid job or plan to negotiate a pay deal with us. Volunteering allows people to give their time for free to society while gaining the experience they need when applying for future paid jobs.

What are we looking for?

Qualification, Skills and Experience

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

A degree in Journalism, Media studies, social media, or 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.
A Diploma in Journalism or a National Qualification in Journalism would be welcome
Professional accreditations from organisations like the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) or the Broadcast Journalism Training Council are welcome.
Strong written and oral communication skills
A keen interest in news, current affairs, health, business and people
Accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation in your language
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.

Work experience

At least three (3) 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.

Languages requirements

The ability to speak one of Africa's widely spoken languages would be an added advantage e.g. Afrikaans, Amharic, Arabic, Bemba, Berber, Chewa, Chinese, Dinka, English, French, Fula, Fulani, German, Greek, Hausa, Hindi, Igbo, Italian, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kongo, Korean, Lingala, Malagasy, Mandinka, Nambia, Ndebele, Nyanja, Oromo, Portuguese, Russian, Sango, Sesotho, Shona, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Swati, Thai, Tigrinya, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Vietnamese, Xhosa, Yoruba, Zulu, etc. You are still welcome to apply if you don't speak any of the above languages.

What difference will you make?

Your input will shape how we present ourselves to our service users, stakeholders, funders and general public. With your help, we will be able to continue to tell stories and the impact of our work to the world.

You will help us reach out to the various global communities to spread the word. Your networking and press contacts will help amplify the work already being done by an excellent team of volunteers.

Before you apply

How to Apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete our additional application form.
Interviews will occur as and when we receive your application on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please get in touch with us via Reach Volunteering with any questions.
Interviews will be an informal video chat with the CEO, Health of Fundraising & one Board Member.
Please provide your CV and a Cover letter detailing your interest in this role and relevant experience. We will not accept CVs without a Cover letter.
References will be requested before interviews and an offer to volunteer with us.

About Africa Health Organisation (AHO)

Causes

Black, asian and minority ethnic groups

Campaigning

Community safety / victim support / domestic violence

Health and well being / research and care

International development

Mental health

Refugees / migrants

Organisation type:

Not for profit

To combat Communicable Diseases
To tackle Noncommunicable Diseases
To address Determinants of Health and Risk Factors
To modernise Health System and Health Service