Senior Community Engagement Officer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Leave policy

Bonuses potential

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Community Engagement Officer for Stellenbosch, Western Cape. The role blends office-based strategy with on-the-ground community work to build relationships with residents, leaders, local authorities, and NGOs.

You will develop engagement strategies, facilitate meetings, monitor outcomes, and mentor junior staff in a hybrid environment. A passion for community empowerment and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, community development, communications, public administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in community engagement, development work, or similar role.
• Proven ability to build rapport with diverse community groups.
• Strong understanding of community development in the Western Cape.
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficient in project management and report writing.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to work independently and with remote components.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive community engagement strategies.
• Build and nurture relationships with community leaders, residents, local government, and stakeholders.
• Organise and facilitate community meetings, workshops, and events.
• Identify community needs and translate them into actionable projects.
• Serve as a key contact between the organisation and the community.
• Develop communication materials to inform the community about projects.
• Monitor and evaluate engagement activities and report on outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure community input informs program planning.
• Represent the organisation at community forums and public consultations.
• Provide guidance and support to junior engagement staff.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

Facilitation

Negotiation

Communication

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent organisation focused on community development and empowerment, is seeking an experienced Senior Community Engagement Officer to join their team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. This role is pivotal in building and maintaining strong relationships with diverse community groups, stakeholders, and local authorities. The Senior Community Engagement Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing effective engagement strategies that foster collaboration and drive positive social outcomes. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills, a deep understanding of community dynamics, and a proven ability to manage complex projects. This is an exceptional opportunity for a motivated professional to contribute significantly to the growth and impact of our client's work in the Stellenbosch region and the wider Western Cape. You will be at the forefront of connecting our organisation with the communities we serve, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed through collaborative efforts. The Hybrid nature of this role offers a blend of office-based strategy development and essential on-the-ground community interaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive community engagement strategies.
• Build and nurture relationships with community leaders, residents, local government, and other stakeholders.
• Organise and facilitate community meetings, workshops, and events.
• Identify community needs and priorities, and translate them into actionable projects.
• Serve as a key point of contact between the organisation and the community.
• Develop communication materials to inform the community about projects and initiatives.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of engagement activities, reporting on outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure community input is integrated into program planning.
• Represent the organisation at community forums and public consultations.
• Provide guidance and support to junior engagement staff.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Communications, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in community engagement, development work, or a similar role.
• Proven ability to build rapport and trust with diverse community groups.
• Strong understanding of community development principles and practices within the Western Cape.
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency in project management and report writing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, including some remote work components.
• Experience in utilising various communication platforms for outreach.
• A genuine passion for community empowerment and social upliftment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package: R per annum.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility between office and remote work.
• Key leadership role in shaping community relations for a respected organisation.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Work in the beautiful and dynamic Stellenbosch area.
• Contribute to impactful community projects in the Western Cape.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Generous leave policy and potential for performance-based bonuses.