Rural Development Project Officer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 680,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote position

Competitive salary and benefits

Impact in rural Western Cape

Mission-driven organization

Remote work development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a proactive Rural Development Project Officer to design, manage and implement projects across the Paarl region. This fully remote role focuses on improving livelihoods through sustainable agricultural practices, capacity building and infrastructure development in rural Western Cape.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in rural development, excellent project management and remote communication skills to collaborate with diverse stakeholders while delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in rural development project management.
• Experience in community-based project implementation and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of agricultural practices, small-scale farming, and rural economies.
• Excellent project management skills including planning, budgeting and monitoring.
• Proficiency with virtual collaboration tools and project management software.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong time management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, comfortable communicating remotely.
• Knowledge of Western Cape rural communities is advantageous.
• Fluency in English; Afrikaans or isiXhosa a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage rural development projects from inception to completion.
• Conduct needs assessments and feasibility studies in target rural areas around Paarl.
• Facilitate community participation and engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and prepare detailed reports for management.
• Build and maintain relationships with local community leaders, farmers, cooperatives, and government departments in Western Cape.
• Identify opportunities for capacity building and training programs for rural communities.
• Manage project budgets and ensure transparent fund usage.
• Collaborate with remote teams and stakeholders via virtual tools.
• Research and propose innovative solutions for agricultural development and infrastructure.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Time management

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Rural Development, Agriculture, Development Studies, Social Sciences

Tools

Zoom

Microsoft Teams

Slack

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking organization dedicated to fostering sustainable livelihoods in rural communities, is seeking a proactive and experienced Rural Development Project Officer. This role is entirely remote, allowing you to contribute from anywhere while focusing on initiatives within the Paarl, Western Cape region. You will be instrumental in designing, managing, and implementing projects that aim to improve economic opportunities, agricultural practices, and community infrastructure in rural areas. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of rural development principles, excellent project management skills, and a passion for empowering underserved populations. This remote-first position requires strong self-discipline and communication skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders across Western Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage rural development projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with community needs and organizational goals.
• Conduct needs assessments and feasibility studies in target rural areas around Paarl.
• Facilitate community participation and engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor project progress, evaluate outcomes, and prepare detailed reports for the management team.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with local community leaders, farmers, cooperatives, and relevant government departments in Western Cape.
• Identify opportunities for capacity building and training programs for rural communities.
• Manage project budgets and ensure efficient and transparent use of funds.
• Collaborate closely with remote teams and stakeholders through virtual communication tools.
• Research and propose innovative solutions for agricultural development, economic empowerment, and infrastructure improvement.
• Ensure projects are implemented sustainably and have a lasting positive impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Rural Development, Agriculture, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in rural development project management.
• Proven experience in community-based project implementation and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of agricultural practices, small-scale farming, and rural economies.
• Excellent project management skills, including planning, budgeting, and monitoring.
• Proficiency in using virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack) and project management software.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, comfortable communicating remotely.
• Knowledge of the challenges and opportunities within rural Western Cape communities is highly advantageous.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Afrikaans or isiXhosa is a plus.

Benefits

• Fully remote position offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to drive significant positive change in rural Western Cape communities.
• Be part of a mission-driven organization with a focus on sustainable development.
• Professional development opportunities tailored for remote work and rural development.
• Direct impact on improving livelihoods in areas surrounding Paarl.