National Empowerment Fund Jobs – 27 July 2026

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

Public Relations and Events Specialist

Listing reference: nef_000185

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 29 July 2026

Position summary

Industry: Financial Services

Job category: Other: Media, Advertising, PR and Publishing

Location: Sandton

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction

Responsible for managing public relations, media engagements, stakeholder communications and corporate events to strengthen the NEF’s profile and stakeholder relationships. Furthermore, develop communications content, supports crisis communications, coordinate events and sponsorship activations as well as ensure alignment with the NEF’s brand and communication standards.

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.

Click here to apply

Investment Associate

Listing reference: nef_000184

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 28 July 2026

Position summary

Industry: Financial Services

Job category: Banking, Finance, Insurance. Stockbroking

Location: Sandton

Contract: Fixed Term Contract

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction

To conduct structured preliminary technical, commercial, financial, compliance and risk screening of funding applications, strengthen investment readiness, and prepare well packaged opportunities for progression to the Funds and Regions. Thus, enabling them to focus their capacity on high potential transactions, while ensuring that only investment ready and strategically aligned opportunities proceed to advanced due diligence and Investment Committee consideration.

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

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications