Rural Livelihoods Development Officer

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary reflecting expertise

Tangible impact

Professional development

Work in Mahikeng

Sustainable development

Agricultural initiatives

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Rural Livelihoods Development Officer to empower rural communities in Mahikeng and surrounding North West areas. You will design programs, train farmers and entrepreneurs, and help connect them to markets, finance, and resources.

The role requires experience in rural development, strong facilitation and communication skills, and a willingness to travel within rural areas to build sustainable livelihoods.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in rural development, agricultural extension, or small enterprise development.
• Strong understanding of rural economies and livelihood strategies.
• Excellent facilitation, training, and communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse rural communities and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the North West province and Mahikeng context.
• A degree in Agriculture, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Experience in project management and monitoring & evaluation.
• Proficiency in MS Office and willingness to travel within rural areas.
• Passion for empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable development.
• Problem-solving and adaptability in challenging environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement programs to support rural livelihoods, focusing on agriculture and small enterprise development.
• Provide training and technical assistance to farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
• Facilitate access to markets, finance, and resources for rural businesses.
• Conduct needs assessments and feasibility studies for livelihood projects.
• Promote sustainable agricultural practices and resource management.
• Build relationships with local communities, government agencies, and development partners.
• Monitor project progress, evaluate impact, and prepare reports.
• Organise workshops, field days, and community meetings.
• Identify barriers to rural economic development and address them.
• Contribute to strategic planning of the organization's rural programs in the North West.

Skills

Rural development

Agricultural extension

Small enterprise development

Facilitation

Training

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Monitoring & evaluation

MS Office

Travel readiness

Education

Degree in Agriculture

Degree in Economics

Degree in Development Studies

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking non-profit organization dedicated to improving the economic well-being and sustainability of rural communities, is seeking an experienced Rural Livelihoods Development Officer.

This critical role, based in Mahikeng, North West, focuses on empowering individuals and communities through initiatives that enhance income generation, food security, and access to essential services.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in agricultural development, small business support, or economic empowerment programs within a rural context. You will work directly with farmers, entrepreneurs, and community groups to implement practical, sustainable solutions. This is a rewarding opportunity to foster economic resilience and create lasting positive change in the lives of people in Mahikeng and the surrounding areas of the North West province.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement programs to support rural livelihoods, focusing on agriculture and small enterprise development.
• Provide training and technical assistance to farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
• Facilitate access to markets, finance, and relevant resources for rural businesses.
• Conduct needs assessments and feasibility studies for livelihood projects.
• Promote sustainable agricultural practices and resource management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local communities, government agencies, and other development partners in Mahikeng.
• Monitor project progress, evaluate impact, and prepare regular reports.
• Organise workshops, field days, and community meetings.
• Identify and address barriers to rural economic development.
• Contribute to the overall strategic planning and development of the organization's rural programs in the North West.

Requirements

• Proven experience in rural development, agricultural extension, or small enterprise development.
• Strong understanding of rural economies, agricultural practices, and livelihood strategies.
• Excellent facilitation, training, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse rural communities and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the socio-economic context of the North West province, particularly Mahikeng.
• A degree in Agriculture, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Experience in project management and monitoring & evaluation is essential.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and willingness to travel within rural areas.
• A passion for empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable development.
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to challenging environments.

Benefits

• An annual salary of ZAR, reflecting your expertise.
• The opportunity to make a tangible difference in rural communities.
• Professional development and capacity‑building opportunities.
• Work in a dynamic environment focused on economic empowerment in Mahikeng.
• Be part of a dedicated team contributing to sustainable development in the North West.
• Direct engagement with agricultural and enterprise initiatives.