Community Engagement Specialist

Location: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Southern Africa Section Office, Johannesburg (with frequent travel to project sites)

Reporting to (Hierarchical): Community Engagement Coordinator

Supervision of: Community Engagement Officer

Reports to (Functional): Director, Engagement, Representation, Analysis & Advocacy Dept. (ERAA)

Length of commitment: Permanent role

Starting date: ASAP

The Community Engagement Specialist provides technical support, capacity strengthening, and operational guidance to MSF Projects and partner organisations to ensure that community engagement is systematically integrated into project design, implementation, monitoring, and learning processes. He/she will contribute to supporting the Community Engagement Coordinator in the learning, analysing, and pioneering of new community engagement (CE) approaches within MSF and beyond.

Working under the leadership and direction of the Community Engagement Coordinator, the Specialist supports the operationalisation of MSF's evolving community engagement framework, contributes to organisational learning, reinforces accountability to affected people (AAP), and strengthens partnerships with community-based organisations (CBOs) and civil society actors.

• Salary: R 43,407.46
• 13th cheque in November
• 100 % medical aid contribution
• 10 % additional pension allowance
• Transport allowance
• Cell phone allowance
• Work‑life balance: daily flexi‑hours and 2 days working from home possible
• Diverse team composition; collaboration with a global network
• Resources such as working space, computer, internet, stationery and other equipment will be provided

• Lead day‑to‑day technical support to projects and missions implementing CE activities, in alignment with OSU CE strategies and standards
• Plan the design and adaptation of CE tools, methodologies and guidance documents for field use
• Build project teams in integrating CE approaches into assessments, project planning, implementation and review cycles
• Support the development of strategies that enhance meaningful participation, representation and leadership of affected communities
• Independent thinking, planning, idea development and analysis on community engagement and working with communities

• Assist the Community Engagement Coordinator in planning and delivering training, coaching and mentorship to field teams and CBO partners
• Plan capacity‑building initiatives on AAP, community feedback systems, participatory approaches and inclusion practices
• Lead in maintaining a repository of CE learning materials, training resources and case studies for the region

• Provide technical support in establishing or improving community feedback and response mechanisms in MSF projects
• Assist with data review, trends analysis and documentation of insights from community feedback Partnership Strengthening with CBOs and Local Actors
  • Support the coordination and facilitation of engagements with CBOs, networks and community‑based structures
  • Contribute to partnership mapping, due diligence, capacity assessments and monitoring of CBO support plans
  • Plan for documenting partnership impact, challenges, lessons learned and opportunities for sustainability
  Knowledge Management, Learning & Documentation
  • Work with the CE Coordinator to collect, synthesize and disseminate learning from CE interventions across the region
  • Draft case studies, reports, learning briefs and internal updates on CE progress
  • Collaborate in research initiatives, operational learning cycles and documentation emerging from the CE‑related initiatives
  Fundraising & Resource Mobilisation Support
  • Build the capacity of CBOs to identify funding opportunities and develop strong, competitive proposals
  • Mentor CBO partners in developing medium‑ and long‑term fundraising strategies and organisational sustainability plans
  • Map potential donors,…