Community Development Officer at Department of Water and Sanitation

Requirements

• A degree or national diploma in community development, development studies, environmental management, social sciences, water resource management, or a related field.
• Minimum two (2) years’ post-qualification experience in water resource management. The disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s license. 

Duties

• To facilitate meaningful stakeholder participation, strengthen community partnerships, and promote equitable and sustainable water resource management within the Pongola–Mtamvuna Water Management Area. The role supports transformation, water allocation reform, awareness campaigns, and inclusive decision-making in line with the National Water Act and the Water Services Act.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Participation: Identify and profile stakeholders (rural communities, traditional authorities, farmers, municipalities, industries, NGOs, youth, and women groups); facilitate community meetings, public consultations, and awareness campaigns; support establishment and strengthening of Water User Associations (WUAs); support establishment and strengthening of catchment management forums and any other forums or committees assisting in water resource management; and ensure inclusive participation of historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs). Assist WUAs in business plan development. Community/stakeholder
• Capacity Building: Conduct education and awareness programs such as water conservation and demand management, water quality protection, pollution prevention, and climate change adaptation; develop training materials; facilitate workshops; and promote career awareness in water and environmental sectors. Support to Water Allocation Reform (WAR): Assist communities in understanding water licensing processes, support emerging farmers in water use registration and compliance, and facilitate conflict resolution related to water access and allocation.
• Communication and Advocacy: Serve as liaison between CMA and communities; prepare communication materials (reports, presentations, and newsletters); and promote CMA programs such as river health monitoring and catchment protection initiatives. Monitoring and Reporting: Compile stakeholder engagement reports, maintain stakeholder databases, monitor impact of community projects, submit progress reports, and provide input into Catchment Management Strategy (CMS) implementation.