Senior Government Relations Lead

Click Learning; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in South Africa seeks a Senior Government Relations Lead to oversee the transition to a fully institutionalised digital learning partner. This role involves strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring compliance with educational legislation across provinces. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in government relations, knowledge of the South African education system, and strong communication skills. Enjoy a hybrid work model and competitive monthly salary in a collaborative team dedicated to making a real difference in education.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Monthly Cost to Company of R76,000 - R80,000

LTE data provided

Mileage reimbursement

Qualifications

• 8–10 years experience in government relations and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of South Africa's government structures.
• Experience working with government officials.

Responsibilities

• Develop and adapt government engagement strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with provincial officials.
• Monitor education legislation and ensure compliance.
• Coordinate administrative approvals for seamless delivery.

Skills

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Policy and compliance

Operational alignment

Strong communication

Relationship building

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, or related field

Job description

Click Learning is tackling South Africa’s education crisis with smart, scalable solutions that make a real difference. We deliver interactive online programmes that boost literacy, numeracy, and digital skills for primary school learners in under-resourced communities. By combining technology with on-the-ground support, we’re helping children build the foundations they need for long-term success and to build sustainable livelihoods. As a secondary outcome, we create jobs for previously unemployed youth to support in the schools and provide them with skills development to move onto better employment opportunities. We’re growing—and we’re looking for people who want their work to matter.

The Senior Government Relations Lead will oversee Click Learning’s efforts to shift from being a programme implementer to a fully institutionalised system partner for digital learning in the four provinces where Click Learning currently operates. In order to accomplish this ambitious goal, the Government Relations Lead will collaborate with senior leaders at Click Learning to develop institutionalisation plans and engage with government stakeholders to align strategies with provincial education priorities for each province. The role requires close collaboration with the Direct Operations team to maintain positive relationships with stakeholders and provide strategic support for policy and programme alignment initiatives.

This role's key focus is to facilitate communication, ensure regulatory compliance and cultivate strong relationships with key government officials and stakeholders. The Senior Government Relations Lead will report to the Director of Programmes and Government Relations. Please note this role will require significant travel across Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

What you’ll do?

1. Strategic Planning: Develop and adapt provincial government engagement and institutionalisation strategies in collaboration with senior leadership and operations teams.
2. Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain relationships with provincial officials, managing communication, documentation, and high-level collaborative events.
3. Policy & Compliance: Monitor education legislation to prepare policy briefs, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage government reporting deadlines.
4. Operational Alignment: Coordinate administrative approvals and facilitate feedback loops between government stakeholders and internal teams to ensure seamless programme delivery.

What we are looking for?

• A bachelor’s degree (or diploma) in public policy, political science, education, administration, or a related field.
• 8–10 years experience in government relations and stakeholder engagement in the education, non‑profit or private sectors.
• Knowledge of South Africa's government structures and policy landscape.
• Knowledge of South Africa's education system is a big advantage.
• Experience working with government officials and understanding South African regulatory processes.
• South African Citizens EE preferred.

Our ideal candidate brings the following attributes

• Strong strategic acumen, with the ability to develop strategies that align the interests of a diverse group of stakeholders toward a shared goal.
• Sophisticated communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to adapt messages to the target audience and draw connections between organization priorities and government policies, programs, and goals.
• Outstanding relationship building and interpersonal skills to build and maintain stakeholder relationships at different levels of government.
• Persistence in advocating for an organization’s priorities and overcoming challenges and barriers along the way.
• Adaptable and eager to learn, staying updated on policy changes and government priorities.
• Passion for education and a commitment to supporting literacy and numeracy programmes.

Why Join us?

• Help build the team behind a national EdTech initiative supporting over 240,000 learners
• Be part of a collaborative, impact-driven team
• Shape hiring practices that are inclusive, community-focused, and values-led
• Enjoy the best of both worlds with our hybrid work model (in office on MWF) at our fresh, modern space in Dunkeld West, Randburg. The setup may evolve as business needs change.
• Grow your career while making a meaningful difference.
• Contract renewal based on department and individual performance, conduct, and secured funding.
• 25 days annual leave (with a mandatory break over the December office closure) ensures our staff have ample time to rest and recharge
• Monthly Cost to Company of R76,000 - R80,000 (negotiable depending on experience). This includes employer contributions to pension (5%) and comprehensive death cover.
• LTE data to keep you connected while working.
• Mileage reimbursed at rate linked to AA rates.