Economic Development Specialist (Jeffreys Bay)

Globeleq, Ltd.; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A renewable energy company in South Africa is seeking an Economic Development Specialist to implement and evaluate socio-economic development strategies. The successful candidate will engage with stakeholders, conduct community needs assessments, and manage development projects to ensure maximum impact. Ideal candidates will have a National Diploma in Social Sciences, 2-3 years of relevant experience, and strong project management and communication skills. This role is an excellent opportunity to contribute to sustainable practices in the renewable energy sector.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-3 years experience in Economic Development.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Renewable Energy best practices.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Implement and monitor socio-economic development strategies.
• Conduct community needs assessments.
• Coordinate stakeholder mapping and engagement.

Skills

Project management skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Creative thinking

Attention to detail

Education

National Diploma in Social Sciences or Development Studies

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Economic Development Specialist (Jeffreys Bay)

Application Deadline: 19 December 2025

Department: Economic Development

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: South Africa

Description

Globeleq is an experienced international power plant owner and operator. In South Africa, Globeleq owns and operates a number of renewable energy (RE) power plants across the country, in both wind and solar power.

The Economic Development Specialist is responsible for the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the socio-economic development (SED) and enterprise development (EnD) strategies and plans for allocated renewable energy sites. These strategies should achieve maximum development impact for the minimum overhead spend.

The Economic Development Specialist is responsible for stakeholder engagement at local and provincial level in respect of the allocated sites. This includes coordinating and monitoring performance of reputation management activities.

Key Responsibilities

Conducting Community needs assessments and mapping of community assets

• Identification of key community stakeholders and role players in the development space
• Identification and documentation of community assets that would be critical in the implementation of development projects.
• Conducting community needs assessment workshops with key role players.
• Producing report on community needs and assets for input in strategy development.

Identification and structuring of Socio-Economic and Enterprise Development projects

• Identify project opportunities through consultation with relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct beneficiary assessment and selection in partnership with relevant partners.
• Document proposed projects, attaching proposed budget estimates as per Social Procedure 706.

Coordination and management of stakeholder mapping and engagement for each plant

• Conduct workshops with internal stakeholders to identify stakeholders.
• Develop maps for each plant with clear engagement plan.
• Review and update stakeholder maps annually

Development and maintenance of grievance handling mechanism for each plant

• Establish plant-based tools for reporting, recording and collating grievances.
• Ensure implementation of grievance handling procedure and as per Social Procedure 714

Compilation of all ED related reports (ED Plan, Monthly & Quarterly Reports)

• Contribute ED reports to monthly Assets reports.
• Assembling & compilation of the information for ED plan
• Contributing to quarterly reporting to the Department of Energy
• Compilation of Annexure A/B Check Sheet
• Delivery of reports by due date

Monitoring of Reputation Management Programme (RMP) for relevant plants

• Assist with the approval of media releases and communications strategy.
• Monitor month to month plant RMP status (Building/Maintenance/Recovery) to inform consultant activities.
• Updating of RMP status within monthly reports
• Present projects for approval by appropriate internal committee

Implementation; monitoring and evaluation of SED and ED projects

• Ensure proper contracting with partners and service providers; through Memoranda of Understanding; Service Level Agreements; Funding Agreements etc.
• For infrastructure projects, ensure the beneficiaries provide and sign off on the specifications, service providers and implementation plans.
• Ensure that each project is captured on the M&E tool with appropriate KPI’s and monitoring and evaluation schedule.
• Coordinate meetings with all relevant partners to monitor and evaluate project implementation at agreed intervals or milestones.
• Ensure proper exit and sustainability strategy is developed for each of the projects.
• Ensure proper project hand over; and sign off is done for infrastructure projects.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Skills and Competencies

• Strong project management skills
• Good interpersonal skills to liaise with a variety of stakeholders and service providers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; in particular, presentation skills at all levels
• Ability to thrive in an unpredictable environment.
• Creative and innovative thinking
• Strong skills within excel and other MS Office platforms.
• Strong multi-disciplinary business administrative skills
• Cross functional teamwork competencies
• High level of integrity
• High attention to detail

Experience, Knowledge, and Qualifications

• Minimum of a National Diploma in Social Sciences and/or Development studies or equivalent NQF level
• Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in the Economic Development-related field, of which 2 year would ideally be within the South African Renewables Industry
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• The South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme
• Enterprise and Socio-Economic Development best practices
• Monitoring and Evaluations systems maintenance
• Media and Public Relations in the context of reputation management
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, ideally with isiXhosa and Afrikaans
• Exposure to and knowledge of:
• Microsoft office 365 suite
• Enterprise Resource Management systems
• Visual design best practices
• Web development and online deployment would be an added advantage.
• Sustainable development best practices
• Valid driver’s licence