Project Officer: Forestry Dweller Rights

Hashtag Nonprofit NPC; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization in South Africa seeks a Forestry Dweller Rights Project Officer to advocate for marginalized communities facing systemic exclusion. This role focuses on securing land rights and advocating for essential services, requiring strong communication and community development skills. Ideal for candidates passionate about social justice and community empowerment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Competitive salary package

Direct access to communities and policymakers

Qualifications

• 2-5 years experience in NGO or social justice work preferred.
• Strong academic background required.
• English proficiency essential; Afrikaans and isiXhosa advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Secure land rights for forestry dwellers.
• Advocate for basic services for marginalized communities.
• Influence land reform policies to include forestry dwellers.

Skills

Social justice commitment

Community development skills

Communication mastery

Education

Degree in social sciences, law, or related field

Job description

• Surplus People Project (SPP)
  
  

Forestry Dweller Rights Project Officer at Surplus People Project

• Deadline:
  
  

30 June 2025

• Region:
  
  

Cape Town

• Type of employment:
  
  

Contract

Job Description

Based in Cape Town - Fighting for Recognition in South Africa's Forgotten Communities

The role that matters: Forestry dweller communities have been invisible to policy makers for too long. You'll be changing that narrative, turning decades of marginalisation into strategic campaigns for land rights, service access and community recognition. This isn't about charity – it's about justice.

Your mission: Lead SPP's work with forestry dweller communities who've lived on plantation lands for generations but remain excluded from land reform, municipal services, and basic recognition. You'll build the strategies, partnerships, and advocacy campaigns that finally secure their place in South Africa's democracy.

Your Impact Will Be Measured In

• Families who can see, feel and experience security of tenure
• Workers earning living wages instead of survival pay
• Communities accessing services they've been denied for generations
• Policies that reflect rural realities, not urban assumptions
• Movements strong enough to challenge entrenched power
  
  

What We Offer

• Competitive entry to mid-level salary package commensurate with experience
• The chance to work alongside South Africa's most experienced rural rights advocates
• Direct access to communities, policy makers and change agents across the sector
• Professional development in an organisation committed to systemic change
• The opportunity to build work that will outlast your career
  
  

Roles and Responsibilities

What You'll Be Championing

• Secure land rights – Transform generations of uncertainty into documented tenure that enables community development
• Service delivery advocacy – Fight for basic services (water, sanitation, health, education) that other communities take for granted
• Policy development – Influence land reform and rural development policies to include forestry dwellers
• Community organising – Build the collective power needed to challenge systemic exclusion
• Strategic litigation support – Work with legal partners when advocacy isn't enough
• Research and storytelling – Document community experiences and turn them into compelling cases for change
• Multi-stakeholder engagement – Navigate complex relationships with forestry stakeholders, municipalities, provincial and national government
  
  

Qualifications And Requirements

We need someone who brings:

• Fierce commitment to social justice and challenging systems that perpetuate inequality
• Strong academic background – Degree in social sciences, law, public management, development studies, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Systems thinking – You understand how historical injustices connect to current exclusions
• Land rights expertise – Solid grounding in South Africa's land and agrarian reform landscape
• 2-5 years experience in NGO, government, or social justice work (or exceptional potential with less experience)
• Advocacy excellence – You can build cases, influence stakeholders, and drive policy change
• Community development skills – You know how to work with communities as partners, not beneficiaries
• Communication mastery – Your writing, presentations, and facilitation create lasting impact
• Language capabilities – English proficiency essential; Afrikaans and isiXhosa advantageous
• Valid manual driver's licence with 2+ years active driving experience
• Commitment to work beyond standard hours when communities need you
  
  

SPP is committed to building a diverse team that reflects South Africa's demographics. We encourage applications from designated groups and all candidates who share our commitment to rural transformation.

How to apply

We want applications that prove you understand what we're about and why this work matters. Send us:

• A compelling motivation letter addressed to the CEO that shows your grasp of rural justice issues and your vision for change
• Your CV with three contactable references who can speak to your capabilities
• A writing sample that demonstrates your ability to communicate complex issues effectively (report, proposal, policy brief, article – your choice)
  
  

Applications to [e-mail] by 30 June 2025 -State clearly which position you're applying for

Reference and credential checks apply. Shortlisted candidates only will be contacted within 30 days. SPP reserves the right not to fill these positions. All personal information processed in terms of POPIA.

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• Date posted:
  
  

13 June 2025

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