Place-based Synergies Coordinator

Bloemfontein, South Africa Posted on 03/26/2026

SmartStart is a successful national network of NGOs and partners that is realising quality, affordable early learning for all children aged three to five. We are achieving this by scaling a network of and building a platform for providers, achieving specific ecosystem transformations with governments and partners, and promoting early learning as a priority societal cause.

1. Support the Place-Based Approach to ECD

• Support theimplementation of place-based initiatives tailored to specific communitycontexts (e.g. farming, energy, mining, fishing, border communities).
  
• Assist withcommunity mapping to understand local contexts and identify existingassets such as clinics, schools, food systems, and social services.
  
• Support gapanalyses to adapt SmartStart delivery models (e.g. home-based, mobileclassrooms, Hub & Spoke).
  
• Collect anddocument learnings, community feedback, and implementation insights toinform continuous improvement.
  

2. Stakeholder Coordination & Ecosystem Support

• Supportcoordination between community stakeholders, including NGOs, CBOs,Community Trusts, caregivers, ECD forums, and local leadership.
  
• Assist inorganising stakeholder meetings, workshops, and engagement sessions.
  
• Support theestablishment and maintenance of referral networks within targetcommunities.
  
• Liaise withlocal government structures and service providers as directed by theManager.
  

3. Community Engagement & Co-creation

• Supportinclusive community engagement processes that prioritise listening,trust-building, and participation.
  
• Assist infacilitating co-design sessions with caregivers, practitioners, andcommunity organisations.
  
• Promoteequitable inclusion of children and caregivers excluded due to geography,disability, or affordability.
  
• Supportefforts to strengthen local ownership and capacity for sustainability.
  
• Support therollout of integrated human development programmes across early learning,caregiver support, and community-building initiatives.
  
• Assist withtracking activities, milestones, and implementation progress.
  
• Supportdocumentation for infrastructure upgrades, practitioner registration, andsubsidy processes where applicable.
  
• Assist withgathering data and preparing inputs for progress and learning reports.
  

5. Partnerships & Resource Support

• Supportengagement with Community Trusts and other place-based partners bycoordinating activities and maintaining records.
  
• Assist withpreparation of presentations, briefs, and documentation for partners andfunders.
  
• Supportinclusion and equity objectives by identifying barriers and escalatingchallenges to the Manager.
  

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor'sdegree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Community Development, ora related field.
  
• 3-5 years' experience incommunity development, programme coordination, or stakeholder engagement.
  
• Experienceworking in diverse community contexts (rural or under-resourced settings).
  
• Experiencein ECD, education, or social development is advantageous.
  
• Abilityto work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
  

Specific Knowledge and Skills

• Understandingof Place-Based Approaches and community-led development principles.
  
• Strongcoordination, organisational, and administrative skills.
  
• Goodfacilitation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
  
• Abilityto manage multiple tasks and priorities.
  
• Experiencewith documentation, learning capture, and basic reporting.
  
• Comfortableworking in adaptive, evolving programme environments.