Senior Public Affairs Officer

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Retirement fund

Remote work flexibility

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Public Affairs Officer for a fully remote role based in Port Elizabeth, SA. Lead public affairs strategies, monitor policy developments, and engage policymakers to advocate the organization's positions while coordinating with stakeholders nationwide.

The role requires a Master’s degree in a relevant field and 7+ years of experience in public affairs or policy advocacy, with strong written and verbal communication skills and proven remote collaboration experience.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Communications, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in public affairs, government relations, or policy advocacy.
• Experience in South Africa legislative/regulatory processes and remote work.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement public affairs strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Monitor government policies, legislation, and regulatory changes affecting the sector.
• Engage with policymakers, government officials, and industry associations to advocate positions.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic communication

Public affairs

Remote teamwork

Education

Master's degree in Public Policy or related field

Tools

Remote collaboration tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished entity within the Media & PR sector, is actively seeking a highly experienced Senior Public Affairs Officer to join their entirely remote team. This critical role is based in Port Elizabeth but operates with a fully remote structure, allowing exceptional professionals from across the country to apply. You will be instrumental in shaping and executing public affairs strategies, fostering constructive dialogue with government bodies, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders. This position requires a nuanced understanding of policy landscapes, legislative processes, and effective communication tactics to advocate for the organization's interests. As a fully remote role, we emphasize strong self-management, proactive communication, and the use of digital collaboration tools to ensure seamless integration within the team and impactful delivery of objectives. We are looking for an individual with a proven ability to influence public perception and navigate complex stakeholder environments remotely. This is an unparalleled opportunity to drive public affairs initiatives from a distance and contribute to significant policy discussions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive public affairs strategies to support organizational objectives.
• Monitor government policies, legislative developments, and regulatory changes impacting the industry.
• Engage with policymakers, government officials, and industry associations to advocate for the organization's positions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in the public sector and community organizations.
• Prepare position papers, briefing materials, and presentations for relevant audiences.
• Manage public perception and reputational risks related to public affairs matters.
• Coordinate stakeholder consultations and public outreach initiatives.
• Advise senior management on public affairs issues and potential impacts.
• Represent the organization at relevant industry events and forums.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Communications, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, or policy advocacy.
• In-depth knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes in South Africa.
• Proven track record of successfully influencing policy and building stakeholder relationships.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues and develop strategic recommendations.
• Experience working effectively in a fully remote environment, demonstrating strong self-discipline and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently.
• High level of integrity and professional ethics.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package.
• Comprehensive private healthcare coverage.
• Generous contribution to retirement funds.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and specialized training.
• The flexibility and autonomy of a fully remote work arrangement.
• Significant impact on policy and public discourse.
• Performance-based incentives.
• Access to advanced digital collaboration tools.