Community Development Officer

About the role

The Department of Water and Sanitation is hiring 6 Community Development Officer posts in Limpopo-Olifants Catchment Management Agency Division: Institutional And Stakeholder Engagement, based in Polokwane; Hartbeespoort; Bronkhorstspruit. This is a permanent post, paying R338,106 a year. How to apply: All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/ Reference numbers to quote: LOCMA 42, LOCMA 43, LOCMA 44 Closing date: 20 November 2026 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV. Note: The Limpopo-Olifants Catchment Management Agency is a Public Water Resource Management Agency, established in line with the provisions of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act no 36 of 1998) (NWA) and National Water Policy for South Africa. It is an entity of the National Department of Water and Sanitation. Employees appointed in the CMA have similar employment terms and conditions to those of employees appointed in terms of the Public Service Act, though not employed in terms of the Public Service Act.

Responsibilities

• The incumbent will be responsible for facilitating the identification, planning and implementation of integrated and transformative social development programmes in partnership with key stakeholders, for the effective empowerment of human and social capital through a community development approach towards sustainable livelihoods.
• Identify and facilitate the implementation of integrated community development interventions in partnership with communities and other relevant stakeholders, including establishing social relationships and scoping communities to understand current community services, service delivery blockages, resources and needs.
• Compile community profiles and facilitate planning and prioritisation by formulating goals and objectives, assessing available resources, setting time frames and compiling budgets.
• Facilitate the implementation of integrated development activities, monitor and evaluate implementation, and give feedback to communities and other relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise and coordinate with all relevant role players and internal and external stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and establish partnerships that ensure the sustainability of development actions within communities.
• Create structures and platforms that entrench sector collaboration and promote coherent and integrated planning and promote and strengthen intergovernmental relations.
• Support communities and perform administrative support on community development and related activities, including providing input into policy development and maintaining relevant records.
• Monitor and evaluate projects and other community development ventures and report on progress.
• Facilitate the registration of emerging local structures, such as Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), and monitor their compliance with the Nonprofit Organisations Act and the PFMA.
• Facilitate, coordinate and participate in awareness campaigns and public appearances aimed at educating communities and other stakeholders on self-empowerment.
• Develop, maintain and update databases, and ensure that financial measures are adhered to by beneficiary organisations.
• Keep up to date with new developments in the community development field to enhance service delivery.
• Provide institutional support and social facilitation for infrastructure development, including participating in conceptualisation, design, implementation and commissioning of water and sanitation bulk projects to ensure that social and human aspects are catered for.
• Ensure capacity building, training and knowledge resource facilitation for project steering committees, and contribute towards a culture of accountability and compliance with prescripts through social facilitation.

Requirements

• An NQF level 6 (National Diploma or N Diploma) in Social Sciences.
• One (1) to 2 years’ experience in a community development environment.
• The disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s license.
• Knowledge of community development work, skills, attitudes and values of communities.
• Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour and social systems, and of legislation, to assist with interventions at the points where people interact with their environments in order to promote self-empowerment.
• Knowledge and understanding of basic financial management.
• The ability and competence to coordinate community development structures and to manage projects.
• The ability to influence individuals and groups to participate in their own selfempowerment ventures.
• Understanding of the social dynamics of communities Presentation, problem solving, computer, facilitation and research skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.