Communications Intern

Reports To: GWPSA-ACU Head of Communication 

Location: Pretoria, South Africa

Contract type: Local, short-term

Duration: 6 months renewable upon availability of budget 

Application Deadline: 14 February 2026

BACKGROUND

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a multi-stakeholder platform and an action network, supported by a global secretariat that was established as an intergovernmental organisation to support countries in their efforts to implement a more equitable and sustainable management of their water resources. The GWP network spans 13 regions with more than 60 country water partnerships and over 3,000 institutional Partners in 180+ countries. More information: www.gwp.org.  

The GWP Africa Coordination Unit is based at GWP Southern Africa in Pretoria, South Africa, and coordinates GWP Africa programmes across Africa. In addition, GWPSA hosts the GWP global theme on Climate Resilience and is responsible for providing global leadership and coordination of the implementation of the GWP strategy on climate resilience.

GWPSA is also the Secretariat of the African Union’s Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) which was adopted by the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government as part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa – Priority Action Plan 2 (PIDA-PAP 2) during the 34th ordinary session of the African Union Summit on 7 February 2021.

The AIP aims to close the water investments gap by mobilising at least an additional USD 30 billion per year by 2030 and creating five million jobs towards the African Water Vision 2025 and SDG water related targets in 2030. 
The AIP is implemented by national governments, regional economic communities (RECs), river basin organisations (RBOs), with technical backstopping by the AIP Secretariat hosted by the Global Water Partnership Africa Coordination.

To strengthen delivery of its expanding regional and continental mandate, GWPSA seeks to recruit a Regional Communications Specialist to provide high-level technical, supervisory and operational support. 

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Communications Intern will support the Communications Department in the delivery of integrated communications, media outreach, and digital engagement activities for GWPSA-Africa and AIP, ensuring strong storytelling, effective knowledge sharing, and increased engagement with stakeholder audiences across Africa.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications and Media Support

1. Assist in the implementation of the GWPSA-Africa Communications Strategy aligned under the global communications framework

2. Draft communication products, including:

• Articles, blogs, success stories, and newsletters


• Press releases, media advisories & event briefs


• Speeches, talking points & high-level message packs

3. Support coordination with media partners to schedule interviews and media engagement opportunities

4. Compile regional media monitoring reports

Digital and Technical Communications 

1. Maintain and regularly update the GWPSA and AIP web pages with fresh content and multimedia

2. Support development of digital campaigns, including email marketing and newsletters

3. Create visuals and multimedia content for digital and social channels such as social media cards, infographics, and videos

4. Support analytics reporting across social media and website platforms to inform communication strategies

5. Assist with scheduling, content drafting for various platforms (X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)

6. Support real-time coverage of events and missions

Knowledge Management and Network Support 

1. Assist with organising publications, multimedia assets, and communication records

2. Support uploading of content to shared databases and internal collaboration platforms

3. Assist coordination across CWPs to collect country stories, photos/videos, and updates

Event and Campaign Coordination

1. Provide communication and logistics support during regional/pan-African dialogues, campaigns and conferences

2. Support exhibitions at symposia, events

3. Support vendor/service providers for design, translations, printing, photography, and videography

General Administrative Support

1. Support procurement documentation for communications-related services
2. Maintain contact lists for media and stakeholder partners
3. Support document formatting, presentations and meeting minutes when required

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS 

• Degree (recently graduated) in communications, journalism, media studies, public relations, or related field


• Demonstrated ability in writing and editing for various audiences


• Competence with social media channels and basic website Content Management System


• Knowledge of design/multimedia tools such as Canva and Adobe Creative Suite


• Well-organised, proactive, and able to meet deadlines


• Team player with strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills

Desirable

• Experience or interest in sustainable development, climate change or water issues in Africa


• Exposure to media relations or digital marketing


• Photography and videography skills


• French or Portuguese language ability would be an added advantage

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE INTERN

• Hands-on experience working with continental water and climate policy institutions


• Mentorship from senior communications leaders and collaboration with pan-African communications networks


• Opportunity to support strategic, high-level events and campaigns


• Skills development in digital storytelling and branding for development impact

HOW TO APPLY

• Candidates should submit application package in English through the online application system and not via email, including a cover letter and a minimum of three references


• Submit application on Bamboo: https://gwpsanpc.bamboohr.com/careers/123 


• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted within 4 weeks after the application deadline.
  


• Questions can be directed to [email protected] 


• Deadline: 14 February 2026 (midnight) Pretoria.