Scope of work:
The Storytellers will work in the field within their assigned communities (Kahdestan, Jebreel, or Pusht Rod) to collect and produce high-quality stories. They will work under the direct supervision of UNDP Herat Team and matrix management with the Communication Specialist of the Partnerships and Communication Unit. Key duties and responsibilities include:
• Community Engagement: Proactively interact with community members, project beneficiaries (particularly women), local leaders, and stakeholders to identify success stories and examples of positive change. Build trust and rapport to ensure participants feel comfortable and willing to share their experiences authentically.
• Story Collection: Conduct interviews and conversations to gather detailed personal narratives showing how UNDP support has influenced individuals, households, or the broader community. Carefully document each story with clear notes and direct quotes to capture context and emotions.
• Multimedia Gathering: Take well-composed, high-quality photographs of project activities, beneficiaries, and changes in the environment. When possible, supplement written stories with multimedia content—such as short videos or voice clips—to enhance storytelling. All content should be labeled and organized clearly. Organize and maintain an archive of all collected stories and media.
• Story Writing and Submission: Prepare at least one well-written human-interest story per week or every two weeks (as directed by UNDP’s regional team). Each story should be 1–2 pages, written in simple, engaging language (preferably in English, alternatively in Pashto or Dari), and include relevant visuals. Stories must emphasize personal impact and align with UNDP’s format and tone. Ensure timely submission based on agreed schedules.
• Coordination and Reporting: Collaborate with UNDP field staff and monitoring teams to remain informed about program activities and developments. Attend coordination meetings (virtually or in Herat) to share updates, receive feedback, and align content with project goals and indicators. Support the monitoring and reporting of field activities. Share with UNDP any challenges or risks they perceive in the implementation of project activities.
• Follow Ethical Standards: Adhere to high ethical standards in all stories gathering and documentation activities. This includes obtaining informed consent from all individuals (especially women) who are interviewed or photographed, explaining how their stories and images will be used. Respect the dignity, privacy, and wishes of participants – do not pressure anyone to share information they are uncomfortable with. Portray subjects respectfully and avoid any content that could stigmatize or endanger them. Ensure that gender, cultural, and social sensitivities are observed in storytelling.
• Communications and Reporting Support: When needed, work with UNDP communication focal points to refine and adapt stories for different platforms (e.g. reports, newsletters, social media). Assist in compiling content into thematic collections or galleries when needed.
• Other Related Tasks: Assist with translation tasks if required. Carry out additional duties assigned by the supervisor.
Institutional arrangement: The Storytellers will be contracted through Moore Afghanistan and will work under the guidance of UNDP’s Herat Office, with matrix management with the Communication specialist of the Partnership and Communication Unit. They will regularly coordinate with UNDP personnel and NGOs or companies working for UNDP in the field, in their respective duty stations. Storytellers are expected to work half of the month (approximately 10–15 days per month) on a part-time basis. They will schedule their working days in consultation with UNDP. When required, compensation in the number of days worked in different months will apply. They will report on their activities and submit stories to the UNDP team regularly.
Payment: Monthly basis (Salary is inclusive of DSA and travel cost)
Duration of the assignment: Six (6) months, from 15 August 2025 to 15th January 2026. This is a part-time engagement, approximately 10 to 15 working days per month (roughly 2-3 days per week on average, with flexibility required to meet story collection targets).
Duty station: The six Storytellers will be based in the target communities of the project in Western Afghanistan, as follows:
• Herat Province – Kahdestan (Injil District): 2 positions (1 male, 1 female)
• Herat Province – Jebraeel Area (Herat City): 2 positions (1 male, 1 female)
• Farah Province – Pusht Rod District: 2 positions (1 male, 1 female)
Storytellers will primarily work within their assigned community, conducting field visits, interviews, and observations in that locale. Occasional travel to nearby project sites or to UNDP’s regional office in Herat City may be required for coordination meetings, training, or joint activities. As per the contractual terms, each Storyteller is expected to manage their own transport to the duty station, and cover associated costs, as well as to have and use a laptop and a camera/phone to take pictures.
Experience and Skills:
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, journalism, communications, information technology or a related field.
• Experience: At least 2 years of experience in community-level work related to monitoring (especially livelihood / economic support activities), reporting, journalism/storytelling, communications, or social research.
• Communications Skills: Strong written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect with people from various backgrounds respectfully. Basic photography skills and the ability to use digital devices (smartphones, cameras) to capture photos and video are required.
• Computer skills: Good command of MS Word and other applications, as well as emails, for writing up and sending stories is required. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Community Knowledge: Good understanding of the local context in the assigned duty station. Candidates from the target communities or providing evidence of personal / professional connection with returnees/IDPs are especially encouraged to apply.
Gender and Inclusion: To ensure balanced perspectives, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. At least half of the Storyteller positions (3 out of 6) will be filled by women, enabling better access to female beneficiaries and gender-sensitive storytelling. All candidates must show sensitivity to cultural norms and a commitment to inclusive, non-discriminatory practices.
Competencies:
• Strong information management and data entry skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to type accurately to minimize the risk of errors.
• Proven organizational and time-management skills.
• Research and data collection skills.
• Excellent English written communication skills, combined with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize concepts and findings easily, including for the preparation of reports.
• Proficient use of MS Office (especially Word and Excel) and internet is required, and ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Teamwork skills, including listening skills, assertive communication and respecting others.
• Displays sensitivity and adaptability to different cultures, genders, religions, races, nationalities, and age groups.
• Good team player, self-starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships.
Language Requirements:
Proficiency in written and spoken English and fluency in the national languages (Pashto or Dari).
Interested and qualified Afghan nationals (women and men) should submit a Cover Letter and an updated Resume/CV with at least three references.
Please include “Storyteller – [Preferred Duty Station] – UNDP”, in the subject of your email and save documents (cover letter, resume, and references) in one PDF titled as “Last Name_First Name.pdf’ (e.g., Ahmadi_Samira.pdf).
Clearly mention the preferred duty station (Kahdestan, Jebraeel, or Pusht Rod) in the subject or cover letter.
We will only contact the selected candidates for an interview or writing test. Sample work may be requested. AHG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, returnees, and candidates from the target communities are strongly encouraged to apply. All recruitment will be based on merit and competency.
At Moore, our purpose is to help people thrive – our clients, our people and the communities they live and work in. We’re a global accounting and advisory family of over 30,000 people across more than 260 independent firms and 110 countries, connecting and collaborating to take care of your needs – local, national and international. When you work with Moore firms, you’ll work with people who care deeply about your success and who have the drive and dedication to deliver results for you and your business. You’ll have greater access to senior expertise than with many firms. We’ll be here for you whenever you need us – to help you see through the maze of information, to guide you in your decisions and to make sure you take advantage of every opportunity. To help you thrive in a changing world.