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Coordinator: Community Upliftment and Enterprise Development (CUED)
Sustainable Seas Trust
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Posted on Mar 28, 2026
Coordinator: Community Upliftment and Enterprise Development (CUED)
Gqeberha
Community Upliftment and Enterprise Development
About The Position
The role supports delivery by coordinating logistics, stakeholder engagement, and field-level activities, ensuring that community-facing work is implemented efficiently, consistently, and in line with SST’s facilitative mandate. This position is answerable to the Manager: Research, Development and Monitoring (RDM). Work is prioritised by the RDM Manager, with day-to-day coordination aligned to OCS delivery plans where relevant, in close collaboration with the OCS Project Manager.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities
- Support the implementation of approved community and enterprise development activities as defined by OCS programme plans and RDM guidance.
- Coordinate logistics for workshops, training sessions, meetings, and community engagements once implementation decisions have been confirmed by RDM and/or OCS.
- Maintain accurate operational records, including attendance registers, meeting notes, and follow-up actions.
- Support operational engagement with schools, community groups, businesses, buy-back centres, and local stakeholders.
- Act as an operational point of contact for communities and partners, escalating strategic issues, decisions and risks to the RDM Manager or OCS Project Manager as appropriate.
- Ensure communities and partners are kept informed of agreed activities and timelines.
- Provide operational support only to research-informed enterprise development activities, such as coordinating meetings, workshops, and information-sharing sessions, without responsibility for programme design or strategic direction.
- Support data collection and documentation related to enterprise and community activities, under RDM direction.
- Provide field-level reporting inputs and supporting documentation to contribute to programme reporting and MEL requirements, as directed by RDM and OCS. This role does not carry accountability for donor reporting or MEL system design.
- Maintain and update operational expenditure trackers for CUED-related activities, including capturing and submitting cost information and supporting documentation, for review and approval by the RDM Manager and/or OCS Project Manager.
- Support internal coordination by sharing updates, risks, and operational feedback with relevant managers.
- Contribute field-based stories, photographs, and updates to support SST’s communications and stakeholder engagement efforts, in coordination with the Strategic Stakeholder Engagement portfolio.
- Work collaboratively within MCIP, respecting clear role boundaries between strategic research direction and oversight (RDM), delivery ownership and accountability (OCS), and operational support and coordination (CUED).
- Carry out any other reasonable tasks required in support of approved programme objectives, as directed by the line manager, and within the scope of the role.
Key Organisational Responsibilities within SST’s “Operating System”
The CUED Coordinator plays a crucial role in our Operating System, by providing reliable operational coordination and support within approved plans and guidance.
Key organisational responsibilities include:
- Adapt and Learn: Engage in continuous learning, attend training sessions, and implement new practices to improve performance and deliver on the organisation’s core value proposition.
- Use resources effectively: Use assigned resources efficiently, keep accurate records, and flag any challenges or constraints that may affect delivery.
- Communicate upward: Provide feedback on operational challenges, suggest improvements, and report on progress and issues to senior management.
- Model desired behaviour: Demonstrate commitment to organisational values, encourage a positive work environment, and influence peers through exemplary conduct.
Key deliverables:
The CUED Coordinator will be accountable for ensuring that the following deliverables are in place in support of the CUED portfolio:
- Community and enterprise development activities are operationally coordinated and implemented in line with approved OCS and MCIP plans and schedules.
- Workshops, training sessions, and community engagements are logistically prepared and coordinated for delivery as planned, with appropriate coordination of venues, participants, and materials.
- Accurate, complete, and auditable operational records are maintained, including attendance registers, meeting notes, and documented follow-up actions.
- Timely and reliable field-level inputs and supporting documentation are provided in line with approved programme reporting and MEL requirements.
- Operational expenditure tracking and supporting documentation are accurate, current, and submitted timeously for management review and approval.
- Operational risks, implementation issues, and key dependencies are identified early and escalated appropriately to relevant managers.
- Field-based insights and implementation updates are systematically captured and contributed to organisational learning and communications efforts, as directed.
Requirements
- A relevant tertiary qualification (minimum bachelor’s degree, preferably a master’s) in Development Studies, Business Management, Environmental Education, or a related field.
- At least three to five years of professional experience in project coordination, community development, or enterprise development, preferably within the NGO or sustainability sectors.
- Demonstrated experience in project planning, implementation, and tracking, with the ability to translate strategy into clear, actionable workplans.
- Proven ability to develop and follow structured systems for timelines, deliverables, and reporting—ensuring tasks are completed on schedule and to standard.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership management, particularly with local government, community organisations, and informal sector partners.
- Basic understanding of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes, including data collection, reporting, and the use of digital tools such as Excel, or equivalent platforms.
- Competence in budget tracking, procurement coordination, and resource allocation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing progress reports, funding inputs, and community updates.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and familiarity with project management or collaboration tools.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and the ability to engage respectfully with diverse stakeholder groups.
- A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel regularly within South Africa for site visits and stakeholder meetings.
- Proficiency in English, with an additional African language considered advantageous.
The Ideal Candidate
Beyond the required technical skills and experience, we are looking for a particular type of professional who will thrive in SST’s environment and contribute meaningfully to the delivery of our mission.
The ideal candidate will exemplify the following qualities:
- Mission Driven: Has a genuine interest in environmental sustainability and community upliftment. You are motivated by contributing to positive change for coastal communities and the marine environment.
- Reliable and Accountable: You take ownership of your responsibilities and follow through on commitments. You are dependable, organised, and ensure that agreed activities and tasks are completed accurately and on time.
- Well Organised and Detail Oriented: You are highly organised and comfortable managing multiple activities, logistics, and documentation requirements simultaneously. You ensure records are accurate, activities are prepared properly, and nothing is overlooked.
- Community Focused: You are comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders including schools, community groups, local organisations, and businesses. You communicate respectfully and build constructive working relationships.
- Proactive and Practical: You anticipate operational needs, identify potential challenges early, and take practical steps to keep activities running smoothly. When issues arise, you escalate them appropriately and contribute to finding solutions.
- Strong Communicator: You communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues, partners, and community members. You are able to share information accurately, capture meeting discussions, and ensure that key messages and follow up actions are clearly documented.
- Adaptable and Solution-Oriented: You remain calm and flexible in dynamic environments such as community engagements or field activities. You adjust to changing circumstances while maintaining focus on delivery.
- Collaborative Team Member: You work well within a team environment and respect clear role boundaries. You support colleagues, share information openly, and contribute to a constructive and cooperative working culture.
- Willing to Learn: You are open to learning new skills and improving your understanding of environmental issues, community engagement approaches, and programme delivery practices.
If this profile does not resonate with you, this role may not be the right fit. We are seeking a committed and reliable individual who is motivated to contribute to practical, community-focused environmental work.
Please send your application to info@sst.org.za with the subject line “Coordinator: CUED”.
About The Position
The role supports delivery by coordinating logistics, stakeholder engagement, and field-level activities, ensuring that community-facing work is implemented efficiently, consistently, and in line with SST’s facilitative mandate. This position is answerable to the Manager: Research, Development and Monitoring (RDM). Work is prioritised by the RDM Manager, with day-to-day coordination aligned to OCS delivery plans where relevant, in close collaboration with the OCS Project Manager.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities
- Support the implementation of approved community and enterprise development activities as defined by OCS programme plans and RDM guidance.
- Coordinate logistics for workshops, training sessions, meetings, and community engagements once implementation decisions have been confirmed by RDM and/or OCS.
- Maintain accurate operational records, including attendance registers, meeting notes, and follow-up actions.
- Support operational engagement with schools, community groups, businesses, buy-back centres, and local stakeholders.
- Act as an operational point of contact for communities and partners, escalating strategic issues, decisions and risks to the RDM Manager or OCS Project Manager as appropriate.
- Ensure communities and partners are kept informed of agreed activities and timelines.
- Provide operational support only to research-informed enterprise development activities, such as coordinating meetings, workshops, and information-sharing sessions, without responsibility for programme design or strategic direction.
- Support data collection and documentation related to enterprise and community activities, under RDM direction.
- Provide field-level reporting inputs and supporting documentation to contribute to programme reporting and MEL requirements, as directed by RDM and OCS. This role does not carry accountability for donor reporting or MEL system design.
- Maintain and update operational expenditure trackers for CUED-related activities, including capturing and submitting cost information and supporting documentation, for review and approval by the RDM Manager and/or OCS Project Manager.
- Support internal coordination by sharing updates, risks, and operational feedback with relevant managers.
- Contribute field-based stories, photographs, and updates to support SST’s communications and stakeholder engagement efforts, in coordination with the Strategic Stakeholder Engagement portfolio.
- Work collaboratively within MCIP, respecting clear role boundaries between strategic research direction and oversight (RDM), delivery ownership and accountability (OCS), and operational support and coordination (CUED).
- Carry out any other reasonable tasks required in support of approved programme objectives, as directed by the line manager, and within the scope of the role.
Key Organisational Responsibilities within SST’s “Operating System”
The CUED Coordinator plays a crucial role in our Operating System, by providing reliable operational coordination and support within approved plans and guidance.
Key organisational responsibilities include:
- Adapt and Learn: Engage in continuous learning, attend training sessions, and implement new practices to improve performance and deliver on the organisation’s core value proposition.
- Use resources effectively: Use assigned resources efficiently, keep accurate records, and flag any challenges or constraints that may affect delivery.
- Communicate upward: Provide feedback on operational challenges, suggest improvements, and report on progress and issues to senior management.
- Model desired behaviour: Demonstrate commitment to organisational values, encourage a positive work environment, and influence peers through exemplary conduct.
Key deliverables:
The CUED Coordinator will be accountable for ensuring that the following deliverables are in place in support of the CUED portfolio:
- Community and enterprise development activities are operationally coordinated and implemented in line with approved OCS and MCIP plans and schedules.
- Workshops, training sessions, and community engagements are logistically prepared and coordinated for delivery as planned, with appropriate coordination of venues, participants, and materials.
- Accurate, complete, and auditable operational records are maintained, including attendance registers, meeting notes, and documented follow-up actions.
- Timely and reliable field-level inputs and supporting documentation are provided in line with approved programme reporting and MEL requirements.
- Operational expenditure tracking and supporting documentation are accurate, current, and submitted timeously for management review and approval.
- Operational risks, implementation issues, and key dependencies are identified early and escalated appropriately to relevant managers.
- Field-based insights and implementation updates are systematically captured and contributed to organisational learning and communications efforts, as directed.
Requirements
- A relevant tertiary qualification (minimum bachelor’s degree, preferably a master’s) in Development Studies, Business Management, Environmental Education, or a related field.
- At least three to five years of professional experience in project coordination, community development, or enterprise development, preferably within the NGO or sustainability sectors.
- Demonstrated experience in project planning, implementation, and tracking, with the ability to translate strategy into clear, actionable workplans.
- Proven ability to develop and follow structured systems for timelines, deliverables, and reporting—ensuring tasks are completed on schedule and to standard.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership management, particularly with local government, community organisations, and informal sector partners.
- Basic understanding of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes, including data collection, reporting, and the use of digital tools such as Excel, or equivalent platforms.
- Competence in budget tracking, procurement coordination, and resource allocation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing progress reports, funding inputs, and community updates.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and familiarity with project management or collaboration tools.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and the ability to engage respectfully with diverse stakeholder groups.
- A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel regularly within South Africa for site visits and stakeholder meetings.
- Proficiency in English, with an additional African language considered advantageous.
The Ideal Candidate
Beyond the required technical skills and experience, we are looking for a particular type of professional who will thrive in SST’s environment and contribute meaningfully to the delivery of our mission.
The ideal candidate will exemplify the following qualities:
- Mission Driven: Has a genuine interest in environmental sustainability and community upliftment. You are motivated by contributing to positive change for coastal communities and the marine environment.
- Reliable and Accountable: You take ownership of your responsibilities and follow through on commitments. You are dependable, organised, and ensure that agreed activities and tasks are completed accurately and on time.
- Well Organised and Detail Oriented: You are highly organised and comfortable managing multiple activities, logistics, and documentation requirements simultaneously. You ensure records are accurate, activities are prepared properly, and nothing is overlooked.
- Community Focused: You are comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders including schools, community groups, local organisations, and businesses. You communicate respectfully and build constructive working relationships.
- Proactive and Practical: You anticipate operational needs, identify potential challenges early, and take practical steps to keep activities running smoothly. When issues arise, you escalate them appropriately and contribute to finding solutions.
- Strong Communicator: You communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues, partners, and community members. You are able to share information accurately, capture meeting discussions, and ensure that key messages and follow up actions are clearly documented.
- Adaptable and Solution-Oriented: You remain calm and flexible in dynamic environments such as community engagements or field activities. You adjust to changing circumstances while maintaining focus on delivery.
- Collaborative Team Member: You work well within a team environment and respect clear role boundaries. You support colleagues, share information openly, and contribute to a constructive and cooperative working culture.
- Willing to Learn: You are open to learning new skills and improving your understanding of environmental issues, community engagement approaches, and programme delivery practices.
If this profile does not resonate with you, this role may not be the right fit. We are seeking a committed and reliable individual who is motivated to contribute to practical, community-focused environmental work.