Project Manager - Community Development & Social Impact

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Meaningful social impact work

Mission-driven organization

Professional development opportunities

Close-knit team environment

Direct contribution to community well‑

Gauteng province impact

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Project Manager to lead community development initiatives in Soweto, Gauteng. The role focuses on education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, requiring hands-on field work and strong stakeholder engagement with beneficiaries and funding partners.

You will plan, implement, monitor, and report on projects to ensure outcomes align with the organization’s mission of social impact and sustainable development in the Soweto region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience within non-profit, community development, or social impact sectors.
• Proven track record delivering community-focused projects in education, health, or economic development.
• Strong understanding of community engagement and participatory development.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work effectively within the Soweto community and understanding of local dynamics.
• Fundraising or grant management experience is advantageous.
• Passion for social justice and community empowerment.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of community development and social impact projects.
• Develop proposals, budgets, work plans, and monitoring frameworks aligned with goals.
• Engage with community members, leaders, and stakeholders to identify needs and foster participation.
• Coordinate project activities, manage resources, and ensure timely implementation.
• Monitor progress, track KPIs, and collect data for impact assessment.
• Prepare regular project reports for management, donors, and stakeholders.
• Manage project finances, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to budgets.
• Identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, government agencies, and funders.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Social Sciences/Development Studies/Public Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to driving positive social change and community development within the Soweto, Gauteng region. They are seeking a passionate and experienced Project Manager to lead various impactful initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. This role requires a strong commitment to social impact, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to engage effectively with community stakeholders, beneficiaries, and funding partners. You will be responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of community-focused projects, ensuring they achieve their intended outcomes and contribute to sustainable development. This is a hands-on role requiring regular on-the-ground engagement in Soweto .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and successful delivery of community development and social impact projects.
• Develop project proposals, budgets, work plans, and monitoring frameworks in line with organizational goals.
• Engage with community members, local leaders, and other stakeholders to identify needs and foster participation.
• Coordinate project activities, manage resources, and ensure timely implementation of project components.
• Monitor project progress, track key performance indicators, and collect data for impact assessment.
• Prepare regular project reports for internal management, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Manage project finances, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to budgetary constraints.
• Identify project risks and challenges, developing and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, government agencies, and funding organizations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience, preferably within the non-profit, community development, or social impact sectors.
• Demonstrated success in managing projects focused on community needs, such as education, health, or economic development.
• Strong understanding of community engagement principles and participatory development approaches.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work effectively within the Soweto community and a deep understanding of local dynamics.
• Experience in fundraising or grant management is an advantage.
• Passion for social justice and community empowerment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and commitment to social impact.
• Opportunity to contribute meaningfully to community well-being and development.
• Work within a dedicated and mission-driven organization.
• Gain valuable experience in project management within the social sector.
• Potential for professional development and training in relevant areas.
• Close-knit team environment focused on collective impact.
• Directly contribute to positive change in the Gauteng province.