Employee Engagement Specialist

Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent youth employment organization in South Africa is seeking an Employee Engagement Specialist to develop and implement engagement strategies. The successful candidate will lead initiatives to foster a positive culture and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Candidates should have at least 5 years of HR experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for youth empowerment. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in the youth employment landscape.

Benefits

Collaborative work environment

Impactful work contributing to societal change

Dedicated professional growth support

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of HR experience, with 3+ years focused on employee engagement.
• Proven track record in leading engagement initiatives and managing teams.
• Strong knowledge of employee engagement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the employee engagement strategy aligned with the organization’s goals.
• Lead high-impact engagement initiatives and monitor sentiment.
• Facilitate workshops and interventions for employee engagement.

Skills

Exceptional communication skills

Leadership skills

Partnership-building

Passion for positive change

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field

Tools

HRIS or employee engagement platforms

Job description

Employee Engagement Specialist

Join Harambee as an Employee Engagement Specialist!

Are you passionate about making a real impact in South Africa's youth employment landscape?

Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where innovation and purpose drive everything you do?

If so, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator wants you on our team!

About The Role

As an Employee Engagement Specialist at Harambee, you will play a pivotal role in shaping a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture.

Working closely with the Learning and Development Manager, you'll develop and execute strategies that foster engagement, drive continuous improvement, and align with Harambee's values and strategic objectives.

You'll lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of engagement initiatives, partnering with leaders, change champions, and cross‑functional teams to enhance the employee experience and organizational effectiveness.

This is a hands‑on, high‑impact role where you'll champion our values, facilitate collaboration, and help create an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission.

Strategic Leadership & Culture Enablement

Develop and implement the employee engagement strategy, aligned with Harambee's vision, values, and goals.

Act as a culture ambassador, championing inclusion and diversity.

Lead high‑impact engagement initiatives and change‑management interventions to support wellness, transformation, and continuous improvement.

Monitor sentiment and recommend actions to enhance engagement and culture.

Guide and manage the network of Change Champions to deliver on the engagement strategy.

Design and facilitate workshops, interventions, and campaigns that promote Harambee's way of working.

Ensure effective delivery of engagement programmes in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Guide and enable effective group processes, encouraging collaboration and active participation across teams.

Plan, manage, and implement Hive Connect days and weeks.

Collaborate with partners and organize logistics for Connect days.

Support, manage, and guide the Radio Harambee Committee.

Data-Driven Insights & Action Planning

Lead the administration and analysis of employee engagement surveys.

Facilitate survey result reviews and drive the creation and implementation of action plans.

Use data and feedback to evaluate initiative effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.

Manage and report on pulse surveys using Harambee Connect.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

Partner with the strategic communications team to develop and deliver impactful employee communications and engagement campaigns.

Build and maintain strong relationships with business partners, change champions, and key stakeholders.

Serve as a liaison for internal clients, providing expert advice and support on engagement matters.

Create and run engagement campaigns.

Resource & Systems Management

Oversee the management of engagement resources, including training materials and multimedia aids.

Ensure effective use of HRIS / Learning Management Systems for engagement initiatives, including content management, reporting, and troubleshooting.

Lead, coach, and develop current trainers and facilitators.

Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance within the team.

Facilitation

Design and facilitate high-impact engagement sessions that promote Harambee's values and inclusive culture.

Lead workshops, group discussions, and organizational interventions to support change management, wellness, and systems transformation.

Apply expert facilitation skills to guide effective group processes and foster collaboration across diverse teams.

Ensure all sessions are engaging, outcomes-driven, and aligned with strategic objectives.

Gather and analyze feedback from participants to continuously improve facilitation quality.

General

Ensure compliance with employment laws and Harambee policies.

Perform other duties as required to deliver results and support priorities.

What We're Looking For

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field.

At least 5 years of HR experience, with 3+ years focused on employee engagement and facilitation.

Proven track record in leading engagement initiatives and managing teams.

Strong knowledge of HRIS or employee engagement platforms.

Exceptional communication, leadership, and partnership-building skills.

A passion for positive change, innovation, and youth empowerment.

People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Why Join Us?

At Harambee, you'll be part of a purpose‑driven team dedicated to solving youth unemployment through powerful partnerships.

We're not your typical organization— we’re driven by integrity, results, and a passion for making a real difference in South Africa's future.

Impactful Work: Your efforts will contribute to meaningful change, helping tackle a pressing societal challenge.

High Engagement: We believe in people.

Our culture is built on trust, open communication, and continuous improvement.

Collaborative Environment: Work alongside partners like the Presidency, Business Unity South Africa, and the Youth Employment Service.

Amazing Culture: Celebrate diversity, champion inclusion, and thrive in a flexible, supportive environment.

Fantastic People & Partners: Join a team of dedicated professionals committed to your growth and our mission.

If you thrive in a fast‑paced, change‑ready environment and want to be part of a team that's changing the world, we invite you to join us and make a real impact together.

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