Economic Development Specialist at EarthStream

About theJjob

• We are seeking an Economic Development Associate, working for an international renewable energy organisation, based in Port Elizabeth
• The Economic Development Associate will be responsible to draft and implement stakeholder management plans for the company’s projects under development, construction and operation (topics related to local communities, procurement of Labour and SMME’s, Local municipalities)
• The EDA will oversee the socio-economic development (SED) and enterprise development (ED) programs for multiple renewable energy power plants in South Africa and manage the contractual relationship with  the Implementing Agents. The potential candidate will be responsible for the execution of the company’s strategies in relation the ED/SED program including all contracts, commitments, reporting obligations and negotiations with any third party and management accounts/finances.

Responsibilities:

• Develop & implement ED Strategy to optimise social return on investment funding
• Develop the ED strategy for each project to comply with Implementation Agreement commitments.
• Sourcing and implementing of SED & ED programs.
• Presenting yearly SED & ED budgets, forecasts and expenditure on all programs for the various Project Companies.
• Preparing of quarterly and to-date Economic Development reports, forecasts achievements vs obligations for shareholders, financers and the Department of Energy (DoE).
• Responsible for all Economic Development compliance requirements and implementation and Project Company/IPP Office audits.
• Implementing internal controls and procedures for SED & ED projects.
• Reviewing of SED & ED contracts/ agreements/ term sheets prior to implementation.
• Develop the Economic Development Plan (SED and ED) for each project company and ensure submission thereof to the Department of Energy as per deadline.
• Manage the activities of the Social and Ethics Committees of the Boards.
• Manage the development of Monitoring and Evaluation processes.
• Monitor the compliance of economic development programmes against contractual obligations, including reporting requirements.
• Ensuring the SED and ED spend is utilized accordingly and reporting on it to the Board of Directors.
   

Develop & manage stakeholder engagement plans

• Develop the stakeholder relations matrix/plan for the project companies.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of planning, governance and administrative development of the ED Plans for all Projects.
• Forge partnerships with government departments and International NGO’s and other agencies in the implementation of the economic development partnerships within the SA.
• Extensive relationship building and positioning with key partners/organisations locally and internationally.
• Building strong relationships and facilitate and manage all relevant local partners/stakeholders/ authorities/ communities/ businesses/ local government and local media.
• Liaising with the Mayor of the Communities and various Project Managers.
• Facilitate dispute resolution process involving external providers.
   

Community Trust Relations

• Assist with the management of the Community Trusts for each project, including developing administrative systems and appointing trustees.
• Any other duties, as assigned by the Senior Economic Development Manager, in line with the role.
• Identifying potential local trustees through formalised and agreed processes.
• Conduct Community Trust Workshops in conjunction with the IDC and manage/administer the Community Trustee Election process in alignment with the IDC processes on behalf of the Project Company.
   

Implement & manage company brand strategy

• Develop the public relations and media (quarterly/ bi-annually website updates) strategy for each entity.
• Manage the development and implementation of these strategies
• Manage the communications platforms and media related service providers who assist.
• Oversee the design requirements for signage and corporate wear/gifts, marketing and branding.
• Oversee the procurement and development of appropriate promotional material
• Manage the development of corporate footage and other materials
• Health & Safety Responsibilities
• Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control, and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organizations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.
• Employees are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and they shall apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly, where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment employees are responsible for understanding those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.
   

Requirements:

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications, experience and skills:

• Passion for community development and engagement
• Leadership and management skills and experience.
• High level of integrity
• Good interpersonal skills; able to influence others without having direct authority
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; in particular, good presentation skills at all levels (including local community meetings, board level presentations and press relations)
• Creative and innovative thinking
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills
• Financial and Legal literacy
• Able to work with spreadsheets and manipulate data for analysis and able to understand contractual agreements
• Strong administrative skills
• A degree in any of the following disciplines: Social Sciences and/or Development studies.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in Renewable Energy and community management
• Strong knowledge and experience of grant making frameworks
• Excellent communication skills in English and IsiXhosa. Afrikaans is a plus.