Call for Narrative Journalist / Storytelling Writer (consultancy)

BACKGROUND: 

Nobel Women’s Initiative (NWI) is led by eight women Nobel Peace Prize laureates - Jody Williams (USA), Shirin Ebadi (Iran), Tawakkol Karman (Yemen), Leymah Gbowee (Liberia), Rigoberta Menchú Tum (Guatemala), Narges Mohammadi (Iran), Oleksandra Matviichuk (Ukraine) and Maria Ressa (Philippines). 
 
For more than four years, NWI has partnered with JASS (Just Associates) through the project “Building the Collective Power of Women for Rights and Resources in Mesoamerica”. Working across Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, the project supports women activists and movement leaders advancing rights, justice, and social change in their communities. 
 
As part of this work, NWI is commissioning a bookazine: a hybrid publication that combines the depth of a book with the accessibility of a magazine. Drawing on in-depth interviews with women activists, the publication will seek to create a compelling narrative work that explores the experiences, motivations, challenges, and aspirations of women activists across the region.  

THE OPPORTUNITY 

NWI is seeking a narrative journalist, writer, or other experienced storyteller to lead the development of this publication. 
 
The aim is to create a cohesive narrative work that stands on its own as an engaging reading experience, rather than a traditional NGO publication. The selected candidate will be entrusted with developing the editorial concept and narrative approach, drawing on interviews with women activists from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, and shaping the publication from concept through to final delivery. 
 
We are looking for someone with a strong creative vision and a demonstrated ability to transform interviews, research, and lived experiences into compelling storytelling. The successful candidate will be given significant creative autonomy to develop the publication's structure, voice, and editorial direction, with oversight from NWI and within agreed safeguarding and ethical storytelling principles. 

NWI will facilitate introductions to women activists from our networks across Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. The selected candidate is also encouraged to propose interviewees where they believe these would strengthen the narrative concept, subject to discussion with NWI and appropriate safeguarding considerations. 

ROLE DESCRIPTION 

The selected candidate will:

• Develop an original editorial concept and narrative approach for the publication.

• Conduct research and in-depth, trauma-informed interviews with women activists, adhering to anonymity requests as needed. 

• Transform interviews and research materials into a compelling narrative work.

• Develop connections, themes, and narrative threads across multiple stories and experiences.  

• Lead the overall creative process from concept development through final publication.

• Assemble and coordinate any additional creative expertise required to realize their vision, such as illustration, design, editing, translation, or other production support.

• Work collaboratively with NWI while exercising strong creative and editorial judgment.

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should meet the following criteria: 

• Demonstrated experience in narrative journalism, literary non-fiction, long-form storytelling, documentary storytelling, or a related field.

• Strong portfolio of published work. 

• Experience conducting sensitive and trauma-informed interviews.  

• Strong understanding of ethical storytelling practices and safeguarding considerations. 

• Deep familiarity with social, political and cultural contexts in Latin America.

• Ability to create engaging, human-centered stories that resonate with diverse audiences.

• Experience managing creative projects and collaborating with designers, illustrators, editors, or other creative professionals.

• Fluent in Spanish and English.

• Ability to work independently and meet agreed deadlines.

PUBLICATION PARAMETERS 

• Interviews with women activists from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.   

• Publication to be produced in Spanish and English. 

• Final format: digital bookazine (hybrid book-magazine publication) and print-ready file.   

• Creative autonomy with editorial oversight from NWI and in line with agreed safeguarding, editorial, and ethical storytelling principles.  

• Publication ownership retained by NWI.  
  
  

BUDGET 

The total available budget is up to USD 16,000*. 
 
Applicants are asked to propose a realistic approach to delivering the project within this budget as part of their application, including any collaborators or additional creative expertise required. 

*This is the maximum budget available for the project and should include all costs associated with delivery, including fees, design, illustration, translation, editing, production support, and any other expenses. Travel is not required for this consultancy. Interviews can be conducted online. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

To apply, please submit: 

• CV and portfolio of relevant work. 

• Cover letter (maximum 500 words)

• Creative concept note (maximum 1,000 words) outlining your initial vision for the publication, including potential narrative approaches, themes, structure, and creative direction.   

• Proposed budget and any collaborators you would involve.

• Strong organizational and time management.

 
The creative concept note will be a key element of the selection process. Applicants are encouraged to focus on their storytelling vision and editorial approach rather than submitting a detailed project plan. 
 
Applications should be sent to [email protected] by 21 June 2026. 

We sincerely thank all those who express interest and apply, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.