Director of Strategy & Partnerships - Government, Civic & Cross-Sector Engagement Ilifa Lethu Foundation NPCLocation: South Africa, preferably Cape TownReports to: Executive DirectorType: Full-time / senior role About Ilifa Lethu Ilifa Lethu is a South African organisation working to make climate and environmental action feel relevant, practical and rooted in what people care about most: dignity, livelihoods, safety, community stability and the future we leave behind. Our work brings together research, public values, narrative strategy and practical partnerships. We are building a trusted public-facing centre of gravity that can connect climate and environmental action to everyday South African concerns. Role Purpose The Director of Strategy & Partnerships will lead Ilifa Lethu’s strategy for building the relationships, institutional credibility and partner ecosystem needed to turn research and narrative into practical influence and action. This is a senior, cross-functional role for someone who can operate across national and local government, civil society, local institutions, community networks and broader stakeholder ecosystems. The role combines elements of strategic partnerships, public affairs, programme development, community engagement and organisational strategy. We do not expect one person to bring equal strength across all areas. We are looking for someone with strong judgement, credibility, execution discipline and the ability to build the right relationships and systems around the work. Key Responsibilities Strategy, ecosystem mapping and partner pipeline Develop a clear view of the South African partner and stakeholder landscape relevant to Ilifa Lethu’s mission. This includes identifying priority government, civic, community, institutional and implementation partners; assessing strategic fit; and building a disciplined partnership pipeline. Government, civic and institutional engagement Build and manage relationships with relevant national, provincial and local government stakeholders, as well as public institutions, civic actors, civil society organisations and sector platforms. The role is not about partisan positioning; it is about building credible, practical relationships that help Ilifa Lethu understand the system and identify openings for impact. Community and local partner relationships Identify and build relationships with trusted local organisations and community-facing structures that have real legitimacy and reach. This includes helping Ilifa Lethu distinguish between partners that look good on paper and those that hold genuine trust. Programme and opportunity development Work with the Executive Director and wider team to identify practical opportunities for pilots, partnerships, convenings, campaigns or community-facing initiatives. The role will help translate research and narrative insight into real-world opportunities that are credible, focused and deliverable. Strategic intelligence and internal collaboration Provide insight into the external landscape, including shifts in government priorities, civil society activity, public sentiment and sector dynamics. Work closely with research, communications, operations and leadership to ensure partnership work is strategic, documented and connected to organisational priorities. What Success Looks Like In the first 6–12 months, this person will have: Built a clear map of priority stakeholders and partners across government, civil society, local institutions and community-facing organisations. Develop a structured partnership pipeline with clear prioritisation and follow-up systems. Establish meaningful relationships with a focused group of high-potential partners. Support the Executive Director in opening and deepening strategic relationships. Identify practical opportunities for pilots, convenings, campaigns or collaborative work. Help Ilifa Lethu become more visible, credible and connected in the South African climate, civic and public-interest ecosystem. Experience & Skills Essential Significant experience in partnerships, stakeholder engagement, strategy, government relations, public affairs, programme development, or civil society leadership. Strong understanding of the South African institutional, political, civic, and community landscape. Experience working with government bodies, NGOs, community organisations, public-interest organisations, or donor-funded initiatives. Ability to build trusted relationships across different levels, from senior government officials to local community actors. Strong strategic judgement and political sensitivity. Experience developing partnership pipelines, engagement strategies, or stakeholder maps. Ability to work in a lean, growing organisation where systems are still being built. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Comfort working across ambiguity, complexity, and different stakeholder interests. Ability to move between big-picture strategy and practical execution. #J-18808-Ljbffr