The Role

Write honest, human stories about what we try, what we learn, and what changes in our community mental health work (starting with the Mama Grace project)—so serious funders and social innovators take notice.

What You Will Write

• Field Case Stories: Grounded accounts of real people, places, and events.
• Learning Briefs: Fast post-mortems on what we tested, what worked, what failed, and what’s next.
• Narrative Reports: Reflection pieces that uncover underlying patterns across the work.

How It Must Read

• Honest & Human: No “success theatre” or development jargon. Say what failed and what remains unknown.
• Systems-Aware & Useful: Show why things happen (incentives, constraints) so readers walk away with actionable insights.
• Clean: Short sentences, concrete imagery, zero filler.

Our 4 Craft Checks

Every draft is scored against these rules:

1. Set the Scene First: Establish location, people, and stakes before sharing findings.
2. Paint a Picture: Use concrete images. If a reader closes their eyes and sees nothing, rewrite it.
3. Every Line Has a Job: If a detail is introduced, it must pay off. Otherwise, cut it.
4. Close the Circle: End by returning to the opening image or question, changed by what was learned.

How We Judge Success

• Reach: Shared/cited by serious funders or thought leaders in at least 8/10 pieces.
• Integrity: Average score of 4.3/5 on honesty and systems awareness.
• Output: 8–10 publishable pieces over 6 months with 90%+ on-time delivery.

Selection Process & How to Apply

To apply, submit:

1. 2–3 Writing Samples: Links/PDFs of reflective, learning, or systems-aware writing.
2. Short Note (<150 words): Read 2–3 pieces from UNDP Accelerator Labs, Dark Matter Labs, or TACSI and explain what makes one of them work.
3. Availability: Start date and weekly capacity.

Process: Sample Review → Paid Micro-Trial (400–800 words) → Shortlist Interview → Optional 2-Week Paid Pilot. Paid monthly in arrears.