Specialist: Social and Human Development

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• Conducting research and analysis on public policy matters relating to social protection, community and human development, and state capacity
• To support stakeholder management
• To support events management to strengthen stakeholder relations.

Research and development 25%

• As a strategic contributor within the External Affairs function, the incumbent will lead high-level research and policy analysis to inform Vodacom's positioning in the social and human development space. This includes:
• Political Intelligence & Landscape Analysis Conduct research and produce analytical reports on national, provincial, and local political developments, with a focus on implications for Vodacom's public affairs strategy.
• Policy Development Support Provide the Executive Head of Public Affairs (EHOD) with research and written insights on social protection, community development, human capital advancement, and state capacity policy frameworks.
• Sectoral Research & Strategic Alignment Investigate and report on education and social security systems, linking findings to environmental sustainability, governance, corporate social investment (CSI), and Vodacom's broader social contract.
• Departmental Monitoring & Intelligence Gathering Analyze speeches, directives, and statements from key government departments (Education, Social Development, Women and Children) to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for engagement.
• Thought Leadership & Executive Support Prepare impactful speaking notes, presentations, and briefing materials for the EHOD, supporting dialogues on education, social security, and environmental issues.
• Multilateral Policy Analysis Track and interpret developments from the UN, SDGs, and other multilateral bodies, producing actionable insights on social and environmental policy trends.
• Cluster Department Performance Review Deliver written analysis of Annual Performance Plans (APPs), performance agreements, and public communications from relevant cluster departments to assess alignment with Vodacom's strategic interests.
• Parliamentary Oversight & Reporting Monitor and report on portfolio committee presentations and hearings in both Houses of Parliament, providing timely insights to inform Vodacom's advocacy and engagement strategy.

Stakeholder management (40%)

• Support EHOD with logistics for Stakeholder engagement for relevant cluster
• Support EHOD with diary management for relevant stakeholder engagement in support of chief for the relevant cluster activities
• Develop and maintain stakeholder engagement
• Support with maintenance of a database of key stakeholders to be engaged in pursuit of Vodacom strategic objectives.
• Support with stakeholder profiling based on each stakeholder influence on the company and what the stakeholder stands for from public and privately (internal intelligence) obtained information.
• Contribute to provincial and regional stakeholder engagement and national/provincial/regional profiling
• Contribute to provincial and regional stakeholder engagement on an ad hoc basis/request.
• Support division on CEO and Exco regional visits
• Support with stakeholder management for relevant regulators – ICASA, Information regulator, National Consumer Commission, National Credit Regulator etc
• Maintain a record of actions from meetings of chief and EHOD to facilitate follow up and monitoring

Events management – Protocol Services (35%)

• Assist EHOD and chief with National Assembly activities – state of the nations address logistical support – letters to parliament, accreditation, ticket collection, accommodation, executive transfers to and between meetings, accommodation, executive transport, security liaison, regional interface, executive ground and on site logistics, catering
• Assist EHOD and chief with logistics for Presidency meetings and events which include Group CEO and Vodafone
• Assist EHOD with other events management for cluster activities that include Vodacom
• Assist with logistical support for events – caterers, booking boardrooms, receiving ushering guests, liaison with security,parking, technical support, Exco attending member support on site etc
• Under guidance of EHOD, have comprehension of protocol requirements and ensuring protocol processes are adhered to for guests and Exco members South Africa in the management of events and stakeholder relations.
• Assist executives with transfers from venues at events

• Matric is compulsory.
• 3 year Degree in international relations, political science, public policy, public administration, economics, law or relevant is compulsory.
• 3-5 years relevant experience in Government Relations/Public Affairs/Public Relations

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:

• knowledge of international relations and economic diplomacy. theories
• knowledge of public policy evolution
• knowledge of political science theories
• Understanding of stakeholder engagement
• Fast learning of ICT sector
• Good communication skills – being able to clearly write reports and present to division and EHOD
• Ability to write briefing notes and speeches.
• Analytical and reasoning skills – must be able to interpret research data, corporate information, financial and economic information.
• Good command of Word, Excel and PowerPoint – must be able use all three to develop talking points/briefing notes and presentations.
• Project Management: Budget Oversight – Assisting with PO's and tracking – knowledge purposes
• Knowledge of or fast to learn government protocols, and engagement processes and platform

Closing date for Applications: 06 October 2025.

The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom Campus.

The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.

Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.