Kwedu News is an independent digital newsroom serving African Australian communities across Blacktown, Liverpool, Fairfield and Parramatta. We are hiring for three roles. Applications for all roles close Sunday 15 November 2026.
Marketing and Audience Growth Contractor | Community Civic Reporter (2 positions)
Marketing and Audience Growth Contractor
Western Sydney, remote and flexible, 16-20 hours a month
Organisation: Kwedu News, published by Hericom Media
Reports to: Harry Taruva, Editor-in-Chief and CEO (business matters only)
Engagement: Independent contractor with an ABN. 12-month agreement, renewable for a second year
Hours and location: About 16-20 hours a month, mostly remote, with occasional events and meetings in Western Sydney
Fee: Discussed at interview. Please include your proposed rate in your application.
Start: 1 December 2026
About the role
We are moving from social posts to a website and weekly newsletter. You will grow the audience and the income that funds our journalism.
Year-one goals: 2,000 subscribers, 5,000-8,000 monthly readers, $30k earned revenue
What you will deliver
- Launch and grow our newsletter
- Run an audience survey and plan monthly social media
- Improve SEO and report monthly on analytics
- Build our media kit and sign 5-10 local advertisers and sponsors
- Help launch memberships and donations
- Moderate social comments and support community events
- Run a mobile journalism session for our two new journalists
Requirements
- Proven audience growth on social or email, with numbers
- Hands-on experience with a newsletter platform (Mailchimp, Beehiiv or Ghost) and Meta Business Suite
- Confidence selling to small businesses and community organisations
- Understanding and respect for African Australian communities in Western Sydney
- An ABN, your own equipment and the ability to work independently
Bonus: news or not-for-profit experience, SEO and Google Analytics, a second African language, Canva or Adobe skills
How to apply
Email a short proposal (max 2 pages) to kwedunewshericommedia@gmail.com by Sunday 15 November 2026.
Subject line: "Marketing Contractor - [your name]"
Include:
- How you would grow our newsletter to 2,000 subscribers in year one
- Two examples of audience or revenue growth you have achieved
- Your proposed hourly rate or monthly retainer
- Your ABN
Community Civic Reporter (2 positions)
Western Sydney, part-time 0.6 FTE, graduate role with paid training
Positions: Journalist A (Blacktown and Parramatta) and Journalist B (Liverpool and Fairfield)
Organisation: Kwedu News, published by Hericom Media
Reports to: Harry Taruva, Editor-in-Chief and CEO
Employment: Part-time, 0.6 FTE (22.8 hours a week), fixed term for 24 months
Pay: Discussed at interview. Please include your proposed rate in your application.
Location: Out in the community across your patch, with flexible remote work and some evening council meetings
Start: 1 December 2026
About the role
You will report on the decisions that shape African Australian lives in Western Sydney, from council meetings to state and federal policy. As a founding reporter on the Diaspora Civic Report, you will help publish 25 issues and 50 council and policy stories in year one. You will be closely mentored and complete paid training before your first story is published.
What you will deliver
- Cover your councils. Read papers, attend meetings and forums, and build relationships
- File 3-5 stories a week, including a council or policy story for each Civic Report issue
- Back every civic story with official documents and a community voice
- Be fair and accurate. Offer right of reply, attribute sources and check facts and translations
- Produce photos, short videos and social posts on your phone
- Build sources across Western Sydney's African communities
- Follow our Editorial Standards and join weekly story meetings and training
Requirements
- Degree or diploma in journalism, communications or a related field (or finishing by the start date)
- Good knowledge of, and connection to, African communities in Sydney
- Strong, accurate writing in English
- Curiosity about how councils and governments make decisions
- Sound judgement with sensitive stories
- Able to work some evenings and travel across Western Sydney
- The right to work in Australia
Bonus: a second language spoken in local African communities, published work, smartphone photo and video skills, a driver's licence and car
What we offer
- Close mentoring from an experienced editor and paid training
- Free pre-publication legal review through LINA for sensitive stories
- Your own mobile journalism kit
How to apply
Email to kwedunewshericommedia@gmail.com by Sunday 15 November 2026.
Subject line: "Civic Reporter - [your name]"
Include:
- A cover letter (max 1 page) saying which patch you want, A or B
- Your CV
- Two published or sample stories
Shortlisted applicants will complete a short practical writing test.
Kwedu News welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, including African and other culturally diverse communities, women, young people and people with disability.
