Jobs at National Empowerment Fund

Job description

• Develop and implement integrated public relations strategies that enhance the NEF's reputation and corporate profile.
• Manage media relations, including proactive media engagement, media queries, interview coordination and media monitoring.
• Identify and secure thought leadership and profiling opportunities for the CEO, Board Chairperson and executives.
• Draft media releases, speeches, briefing notes, talking points, opinion pieces and other communication materials.
• Coordinate crisis communication responses in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Manager.
• Plan, coordinate and deliver corporate events, launches, conferences, stakeholder engagements, exhibitions and internal events.
• Manage event logistics, suppliers, budgets and project plans to ensure successful execution.
• Coordinate sponsorship activations and maximise brand visibility at sponsored events.
• Build and maintain relationships with media, industry stakeholders, government departments and strategic partners.
• Monitor media coverage and prepare reports evaluating the impact of public relations and events activities.
• Support integrated communication campaigns across traditional, digital and social media platforms.
• Manage appointed PR and event service providers where applicable.
• Ensure all activities comply with the NEF brand identity and corporate communications standards.

Minimum requirements

Experience / Skills Required

• Minimum five (5) years' experience in public relations, corporate communications and event management.
• Experience coordinating executive profiling and media engagements.
• Experience planning and delivering corporate events, conferences and stakeholder engagements.
• Experience managing communication service providers and suppliers.
• Experience within government, development finance institutions, public entities or corporate organisations will be an advantage. 

Skills:

• Excellent media relations skills.
• Strong writing, editing and presentation skills.
• Event planning and project management.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Crisis communication.
• Budget management.
• Vendor and supplier management.
• Excellent organisational and coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (NQF Level 7) in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Corporate Communications or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualification in Communications, Marketing or Business Management will be an added advantage.
• Professional registration with PRISA or a recognised communications body will be advantageous.

Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Highly organised with excellent planning abilities.
• Creative and innovative thinker.
• Professional and diplomatic.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Team player with the ability to work independently.
• Customer and stakeholder focused.
• Adaptable and solution oriented.

Apply by: 29 July 2026

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Job description

Eligibility and Mandate Assessment

• Assess applications against NEF mandate, product criteria and sector priorities.
• Identify misaligned or non-fundable applications at an early stage.
• Confirm strategic fit and developmental impact alignment.
• Assess total NEF exposure and eligibility thresholds. 

Technical Assessment

Evaluate the operational feasibility of proposed projects, including:

• CAPEX reasonability and alignment with project scope.
• Project implementation timelines and key execution milestones.
• Infrastructure readiness, including land, utilities, and logistics access.
• Supplier arrangements and input availability.
• Production capacity, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Management and technical capability to execute the project.
• Compliance with sector regulatory requirements and permits.
• Technology suitability and operational processes (where applicable).
• Operational risks that may affect implementation or sustainability.
• Job creation projections and alignment with NEF developmental objectives.

Commercial and Market Assessment

• Assess industry outlook, market demand and competitive positioning.
• Evaluate pricing sustainability and business model resilience.
• Analyse route-to-market strategies and distribution channels.
• Validate demand through contracts, letters of intent or off-take agreements.
• Assess market concentration, cyclicality and seasonal risks. 

Financial Assessment

 Develop and interrogate financial models to assess:

• Revenue and cost assumptions.
• Contribution margins and break-even analysis.
• Working capital adequacy.
• Cash flow sustainability.
• Debt service capacity (DSCR).
• Sensitivity analysis (base, upside and downside scenarios).
• Funding structure suitability.
• Return indicators (ROI / IRR where applicable).
• Apply deal-making judgment to determine whether financial structuring is feasible and aligned with NEF risk appetite. 

Compliance and Governance Screening

• Conduct preliminary compliance checks including PEP and delinquency screening.
• Verify legal entity status and ownership documentation.
• Identify potential conflicts of interest.
• Highlight governance weaknesses and regulatory gaps.
• Identify ESG and environmental compliance risks.
• Assess the applicant’s (company and shareholders) existing exposure to NEF in relation to previously approved funding.
• Flag legal and regulatory gaps. 

Risk Identification and Mitigation

• Identify key credit, operational and market risks.
• Assess structural weaknesses in deal configuration.
• Propose risk mitigation strategies prior to progression.
• Ensure risk areas are clearly articulated for Fund-level due diligence. 

Deal Packaging and Recommendation

• Prepare comprehensive Pre-Investment screening reports.
• Structure transactions in accordance with NEF requirements and governance requirements.
• Ensure transactions are at least 80% investment ready before referral.
• Ensure transactions are substantially investment ready before referral.
• Present vetted transactions at internal pipeline forums.
• Provide recommendations on application outcomes.

Minimum requirements

Experience / Skills Required

Minimum 4–7 years proven deal-making experience in:

• Corporate finance
• Private equity
• Investment banking
• Development finance
• Structured lending
• Demonstrated track record in:
• Financial modelling and valuation
• Structuring investment transactions
• Preparing investment committee memoranda
• Negotiating term sheets
• Identifying and mitigating investment risks
• Market, technical and industry analysis to support investment decision-making
• Prior deal execution experience is essential.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Business or related field
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA/CFA/CA(SA)/equivalent) advantageous

Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes

• High ethical standards and integrity
• Strong work ethic and results orientation
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure
• Strong time management and organisational skills

Apply by: 28 July 2026