Stakeholder Relations Manager (3027) at The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS:

• Degree/ BTech or Advance Diploma in Political Science/ Economics/Social Science/ Communications/Business Management/Project Management or equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification
• 10 years minimum relevant experience.
• Inclusive of 3 years Stakeholder Relations managerial role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Stakeholder relations management
• Oversee and guide the establishment and management of stakeholder relationships across various stakeholder groups in accordance with the stakeholder relations strategy.
• Identify, in collaboration with the Transformation Manager priorities, targets and programmes in line with organisational transformation objectives.
• Engages and establishes relations with internal stakeholders to advance and sustain uniformed support and buy-in on SANRAL engagements to maximise and impact transformation outcomes.
• Guide the engagements/communications with stakeholder groups including reviewing and providing input on messages developed for dissemination to stakeholder groups.
• Ensure stakeholder relationships are managed as per the stakeholder relations strategy to aid in, amongst other things, effective engagement of Road Networks within communities.
• Oversee the identification and execution of communication opportunities and strategic events to support pro-active reputation management with key stakeholder groups and to enhance the SANRAL brand and promote its projects.
• Ensure government relationships are established and maintained in accordance with stakeholder relations strategy and assess the need for, and execute, lobbying activities.
• Evaluate the requirements for strategic relationships across various stakeholder groups including government, industry, internal directors and community stakeholders to inform the development of a stakeholder relations strategy.
• Develop and ensure the execution of a stakeholder relations strategy and roadmap that articulates how the strategy will be achieved and how it supports the overarching Marketing and Communications strategy.
• Establish an internal communications strategy and account for the channels and framework to be used for distribution.
• Define measurement criteria to monitor implementation and update the stakeholder relations strategy and roadmap based on performance trends identified.
• Plan and manage allocated budget to ensure that value and impact are maximised. Maintain transparency of spend through accurate and regular reporting.

Social Facilitation

• Development of a social facilitation strategy and plans.
• Development and alignment of local community engagement activities with project objectives, timelines in compliance with organisational policies and principles.
• Fostering of local social facilitation engagements with all communities affected by road construction and maintenance projects.
• Ensure that communities understand the project’s purpose, benefits, impact, and processes.
• Create platforms for all communities to raise relative concerns and participate in decision-making processes.
• Diagnose and identify community issues that might lead to grievances and potential conflicts at a social level which are likely to impact the project negatively.
• Conduct social risk management activities.
• Ensure that social and community matters are addressed before and during project implementation.
• Ensure that local structures operate actively and provide the necessary feedback between SANRAL contractors and affected communities.
• Ensure social facilitation reporting and monitoring.
• Events Management and Outreach Programmes.
• To plan, co-ordinate, and deliver all categories of events and outreach programmes that support the organisation’s strategic objectives, stakeholder relationships, public profile and integrated communication initiatives.
• Implement all approved Annual Event Plans.
• Identify key events that support and create awareness in SANRAL brand in collaboration with intergovernmental relations framework
• Plan and co-ordinate local and international strategic roads conferences, road project launches, exhibitions, workshops, and official ceremonies.
• Manage the complete event life cycle from concept, planning, and through to execution and close-out.
• Corporate branding positioning and outreach.

Corporate Social Responsibility/Investment

• To develop and implement the corporate social responsibility strategy, policies, standard operating procedure (SOP), and plans.
• Ensure that the CSR initiatives are aligned with the agency’s objectives and social mandate
• Identify and support initiatives that support community development programmes for all communities which are affected by SANRAL road infrastructure projects.
• Implement programmes in areas such as education, health, community development, youth development, and social upliftment.
• Build CSR relationships with communities, government and agencies, traditional leaders, NGOs, community organisations, and other development partners.
• Establish partnerships that maximise social impact of CSR initiatives.
• Facilitate programmes that contribute to local economic development, and vulnerable community empowerment.
• Support initiatives that promote skills development, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, and empowerment of sector identified community participants.
• Ensure that CSR funding is used effectively, transparently and in accordance with organisational and government requirements.

People Management

• Provide leadership, guidance and direction to the stakeholder relations personnel.
• Establish clear objectives, roles, responsibilities and performance expectations in terms of KPAs.
• Ensure team activities are aligned with organisational and stakeholder engagement standards and strategies
• Set all individual performance targets aligned to the overall objectives.
• Monitor performance and provide regular feedback and coaching.
• Conduct performance reviews and implement improvement plans where required
• Identify competency gap areas and facilitate training and development opportunities.
• Coach and mentor team members for successful performance leading to impactful outcomes.