Application Guide
How to Apply for Terms of Reference : PELUM Association Communications Support Consultancy
at Trócaire
🏢 About Trócaire
Trócaire is the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, working with local partners in at-risk communities to tackle poverty and injustice. This consultancy supports the PELUM Association, a regional network of over 280 civil society organizations across Africa promoting agroecology and sustainable livelihoods. Working with Trócaire means contributing to impactful, community-driven development in one of the world's most vulnerable regions.
About This Role
This consultancy focuses on strengthening PELUM Association's communication, digital visibility, impact storytelling, and donor positioning. Key tasks include updating the communication strategy, refreshing the website, building staff capacity in digital content creation, and packaging impact stories for advocacy and resource mobilization. Your work will directly enhance PELUM's ability to attract funding and influence policy.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual coaching session with PELUM's communications focal persons on content planning. Then you'd work on refining the website structure, followed by drafting an impact story for a donor report. You might also analyze web analytics to inform strategy adjustments, and end the day by preparing a template for key messages.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Trócaire Is Looking For
- Proven experience developing or revising communication strategies for civil society, development, or network organizations, ideally in an African context.
- Strong writing, editing, and coaching skills, with a track record in digital communication, content planning, and impact storytelling for donor audiences.
- Experience creating practical communication plans, templates, key messages, and audience/channel matrices for multi-stakeholder environments.
- Familiarity with agroecology, climate resilience, or sustainable livelihoods is a plus, as is experience with remote capacity building.
📝 Tips for Applying to Trócaire
Tailor your proposal to Lot 2 (Communications Support) specifically—do not mix with Lot 1 or other consultancies.
Provide concrete examples of past communication strategies you've revised, including measurable outcomes (e.g., increased website traffic, donor engagement).
Showcase your coaching experience: describe how you've built digital capacity in others, especially in remote settings.
Include samples of impact stories you've packaged for donor-facing materials, and explain how they influenced funding decisions.
Research PELUM Association's current website and social media; in your application, identify 2-3 specific improvements you would make.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your experience in revising communication strategies for networks or civil society organizations, especially in development contexts.', 'Highlight your ability to coach and build capacity in communications teams remotely.', 'Demonstrate your skill in creating compelling impact stories that resonate with donors and advocacy audiences.', 'Express genuine interest in agroecology and sustainable livelihoods, and connect it to your own values or past work.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review PELUM Association's current website and social media channels to understand their existing communication strengths and gaps.
- → Read Trócaire's strategic plan and annual reports to understand their partnership approach and donor priorities.
- → Familiarize yourself with key agroecology concepts and the policy landscape in East, Central, and Southern Africa.
- → Look at recent donor-funded projects by PELUM or similar networks to understand reporting and storytelling expectations.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic proposal without referencing PELUM's specific context or current communication materials.
- Overlooking the capacity-building component—this role is not just about doing the work, but enabling others.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of past impact; vague claims without evidence will weaken your application.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: July 14, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!