Programme Officer

The Rural Democracy Trust seeks to recruit x 2 Programme Officers to lead an exciting new project "Sophakama" which will be building civic agency and strengthening accountability across rural municipalities.

VACANCY: Programme Officer (Ref: RDT008)

Opportunity Closing Date: 30^th November 2023

Opportunity Type: Employment

The Rural Democracy Trust (RDT) seeks to recruit x 2 Programme Officers located in the National Office (Johannesburg). The Rural Democracy Trust was founded in 2017 as the fiscal host for the Alliance for Rural Democracy (ARD). The ARD is a cross-section of grassroots formations, civil society, academics, and litigation partners that works to promote transparent, participatory, and accountable decision-making in rural communities on land reform, rural governance, and land-deals (including mining). The RDT has a geographic footprint in Mpumalanga, North West, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo provinces.  

The RDT is working with partners to implement a new project “Sophakama” focused on building civic agency and strengthening social accountability across rural municipalities as a response to poor governance, weak finance management and lack of service delivery. The two project sites for which we are recruiting are in North West and Mpumalanga provinces respectively.   

Key Outputs for the Role  

1. Actively engage in advocacy work and community facilitation activities in rural municipalities  
2. Conduct Social Audits, Conflict Resolution and Management as well as Cultural Sensitivity workshops.  
3. Engage local government  
4. Undertake policy advocacy  
5. Report writing and document project outcomes and disseminate information to stakeholders and project beneficiaries  
6. Plan and execute project plans independently  
7. Work within a multi-cultural team alongside project partners  
8. Ability to work alongside rural communities on building an agenda for social change   

Competency (Skills, Knowledge, and Attributes) Required  

1. A master’s degree in the Social Sciences/ Political Science or any other related qualification with 5 years’ experience  
2. Qualification/s or experience in Advocacy, Social Audits, Community Facilitation and Conflict Management, and Cultural Sensitivity   
3. Demonstrable interest in Community Development work and understanding of socio-environmental context for rural South Africa   
4. Demonstrated proficiency on Microsoft Office products and computer literacy  
5. Ability to work as a team with good interpersonal skills  
6. Sound project management skills, and ability to balance and prioritise competing tasks to meet deadlines  
7. Strong networking ability  
8. Proficiency in English and at least one other language spoken in project sites (Setswana / Sepedi / Siswati / Xitsonga)  
9. A valid driver’s licence   

Duration: Fixed Term 

Start Date: 01 February 2024

Salary :  Annual total cost-to-company offer between R265 000 - R305 000 depending on experience  

How to Apply: A detailed CV with at least 3 contactable references, accompanied by a cover letter outlining key competencies must be submitted by Closing Date:    Thursday, 30 November 2023  

Please send CVs and Enquiries to Tshepo Fokane directly on  info@ardt.org.za and Tel: 010 021 0572  

People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.