Research jobs in South Africa

Project Manager – South Africa

Location: Remote (South Africa, preferably Cape Town)

This is a great time to join Our Common Home as we establish our South African entity and take the first steps toward becoming an independent organisation working closely with our partners in the region. The first six months will focus on supporting our research projects, and the role has strong potential to grow into a senior operations position as the organisation develops.

Our Common Home promotes civic participation across society to build solutions to climate change—especially among people with traditional values who feel a strong attachment to place, family, and nation, but who have often been left out of the climate conversation. We partner with and support locally rooted civic organisations, which we see as vital to building stable, lasting solutions and preserving our natural inheritance. Our mission is to help create broad political consensus on the need to tackle climate change and to empower everyone in society to take part in developing solutions.

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager who is deeply committed to environmental issues and motivated to achieve meaningful impact in society. The ideal candidate is flexible, resourceful, and resilient — someone who thrives in uncertain and fast-changing environments and can bring structure and clarity to complexity. You enjoy rolling up your sleeves, shaping processes, and turning ambitious ideas into practical plans.

In this role, you will structure and deliver a growing programme of work: developing project workplans and budgets, coordinating delivery, managing relationships with vendors, partners, and funders, and supporting the Executive Director in organisational development and strategic planning. You will also take on an element of operational responsibilities to help ensure the organisation runs smoothly day to day.

This is a hands-on role offering the opportunity to shape operations, culture, and impact from the ground up, while contributing to the growth and long-term success of a mission-driven organisation.

• Develop and manage project workplans, timelines, budgets, and KPIs.
• Monitor project progress, coordinating internal teams and external partners to ensure objectives are met.
• Track finances accurately and support budget planning, billing, and vendor contracts.
• Support the Executive Director in setting organisational goals, growth plans, and operational structures.
• Contribute to recruitment, onboarding, and team skills development.
• Develop internal processes, tools, and best practices.
• Liaise with funders, partners, and vendors to ensure clear communication and alignment on deliverables, expectations, and timelines.

• Contribute to shaping and delivering the organisation’s strategic priorities.
• Ensure that the organisation’s work aligns with its mission and long-term vision.

• 5+ years’ project management experience, ideally in a start-up or research setting, or in an NGO.
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills.
• Experience liaising with stakeholders, partners, and funders.
• Ability to manage diverse teams and operations in a start-up environment is a plus.
• Strategic thinker with excellent communication and time management.
• Proficient in English.
• Education: Project Management Qualifications are important but we are more focused on the character and values you bring.

• Strong communication and time management.
• Ability to manage project scope, resources, and strategic impact.
• Ability to translate programme goals into actionable plans.

We work on an important challenge and offer a unique opportunity to build a new institution and leave a lasting legacy. Our style of work provides good work-life balance and freedom in scheduling, and our pay is very competitive for the sector. You will have the chance to make a tangible impact on local communities while helping shape the organisation’s growth, culture, and long-term success.