The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organization created in 2006 by the African Union and UNESCO to support the effective conservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value in Africa. The main objective of the AWHF is to address the challenges faced by African States Parties in the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, specifically, the underrepresentation of African sites on the World Heritage List and the insufficient conservation and management of these sites. The Fund became a Category II Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in 2010 hence, an official and privileged partner of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies of the World Heritage Committee (ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN). The Fund is hosted by the Government of the Republic of South Africa on behalf of the African continent.
The AWHF maintains a close relationship with the African Union, fostering significant synergies between UNESCO’s Priority Africa and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. This is achieved by providing targeted support to African States Parties, with the aim of strengthening the implementation of the World Heritage Convention:
Contributing to increasing the number of African properties on the World Heritage List.
Providing technical and financial support to enhance the conservation and management of World Heritage properties in Africa, which also includes the removal of properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Strengthening capabilities of heritage professionals and institutions by consistently implementing capacity-building processes and initiatives.
Assist in increasing sustainable growth for local communities at and around World Heritage properties.
The Internship
The African World Heritage Fund is seeking an enthusiastic, creative and competent young individual to join our team as a Partnerships and Communication Intern. This position allows the Intern to use his or her skills and abilities in social media management, content development, communications, and partnerships, while contributing to the preservation and promotion of Africa’s rich and diverse cultural and natural heritage. This remote post is open to candidates from the African continent and the African Diaspora. The internship will last six (6) months and include a monthly stipend.
Required Skills
Social media management:
Familiarity with major social media platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn) and their best practices.
Ability to create engaging content tailored for each platform and interact with followers to enhance community engagement.
Content creation:
Strong writing skills for creating compelling posts, articles, and updates.
Proficiency in graphic design software such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), or equivalent.
Website management:
Basic knowledge of website content management systems such as WordPress.
Understanding of search engine optimisation principles to enhance website visibility.
Ability to update and optimise websites, improving user experience and content accessibility.
Photo and video editing:
Proficiency in photo editing and manipulation to improve and integrate images into designs.
Experienced in video editing software such as Windows Video Editor, Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve.
Communication skills:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Fluent in English and/or French. Working knowledge of other African Union languages (Arabic and Portuguese), is an added advantage.
Ability to craft engaging narratives through thoughtful planning, scripting, and visual compositionAbility to articulate ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
Research skills:
Strong research abilities to gather information on heritage sites, conservation efforts, and relevant news.
Analytical skills:
Familiarity with social media analytics tools to assess engagement and performance metrics.
Ability to analyse data and generate reports to inform strategies.
Team collaboration:
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, contributing ideas and supporting colleagues.
Time management:
Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Preferred qualifications
Educational background:
Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Heritage/Environmental Studies, or a related field.
Experience:
Previous experience (e.g. internship or volunteer) in social media management, communications, digital marketing or content creation is a plus.
Additional Attributes
Passion for heritage: A genuine interest in cultural heritage, conservation, and sustainability.
Creativity: Innovative mindset with a willingness to experiment with new ideas and formats.
Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.
Cultural sensitivity: Understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and perspectives.
Application Requirements
Interested applicants must submit the following:
A detailed CV highlighting relevant expertise and experience.
A portfolio of past work (e.g.: examples of project deliverables, videos, sample of content created for social media/digital marketing, etc.).
Deadline
All applications must be submitted by Wednesday 22 January 2025 through the link below:
Link: https://awhf.net/internship-at-the-african-world-heritage-fund/
