PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Senior Specialist, Stakeholder Relations, is responsible for developing, managing, and strengthening strategic relationships between INSETA and its internal and external stakeholders. The role ensures effective stakeholder engagement, high-quality communication, and reputational alignment in support of INSETA’s mandate, strategic objectives, and brand positioning within the insurance and skills development sector.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

OUTPUTS

Stakeholder Relations Strategy and Advisory 5%

• Provide specialist advice on stakeholder relations, engagement strategies, and communication approaches.
• Develop and implement effective internal and external stakeholder engagement plans.
• Identify stakeholder risks, opportunities, and expectations, and advise management accordingly.
• Support organisational strategy through proactive relationship management and collaboration

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management 20%

• Provide support to INSETA on local and international strategic engagements that advance skills development
• Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring appropriate and VIP-level engagement where required.
• Maintain and regularly update a comprehensive database of key stakeholders, including insurance associations and sub-sectors.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for stakeholder enquiries, concerns, and escalations.
• Ensure consistent, accurate, and timely communication with stakeholders.

Reputation, Brand & Media Support 15%

• Ensure strong media monitoring mechanism on issues pertaining skills development
• Execute the Stakeholder Relations Strategy through brand management and media relations plan.
• Support INSETA’s reputation management by ensuring consistent stakeholder messaging and brand alignment.
• Contribute to brand awareness initiatives across print, digital, and social media platforms.
• Develop and maintain relationships with sector-specific and mainstream media in support of stakeholder objectives.
• Coordinate press releases, media invitations, and press packs in collaboration with internal divisions and service providers.

Events & Strategic Engagements 15%

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of stakeholder-related events, including:
  • Industry conferences and Engagements
  • Mandatory Grants Workshops
  • Compliance Workshops
  • CEO Roadshows
  • Strategic stakeholder engagements
  • Annual General Meeting
  • Other relevant engagements to the profiling and position of INSETA as a brand
  • Oversee stakeholder communications for events, including invitations, RSVPs, venue coordination, and site visits.
  • Support executive-level engagements and presentations at key stakeholder forums.

Communication Content & Platforms  10%

• Curation of content that promotes skills development within the insurance and related sector e.g. career guidance events, milestone booklets, testimonials.
• Coordinate stakeholder-related content for newsletters, website updates, bulk communications, and social media.
• Prepare and manage the quarterly internal stakeholder newsletter plan and content contributions.
• Review and facilitate all inbound and outbound stakeholder communications to ensure accuracy, relevance, and brand alignment.
• Manage stakeholder-related website content and coordinate with service providers.

Digital & Social Media Stakeholder Engagement 10%

• Leveraging on all digital platforms to reach potential and current beneficiaries of INSETA’s skills interventions and promote stakeholder empowerment.
• Manage stakeholder engagement across INSETA’s digital and social media platforms.
• Ensure efficient response times to stakeholder queries and monitor engagement trends.
• Track and report on stakeholder engagement metrics and follower growth.

Project & Campaign Management 15%

• Plan and manage stakeholder engagement projects and campaigns from initiation to completion.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to organisational objectives.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external service providers.

Governance, Compliance & Administration 5%

• Assist with the management of stakeholder-related contracts and service providers in line with PFMA requirements.
• Support in ensuring the monitoring and managing of the  stakeholder relations, budgets, and expenditure.
• Contribute towards the compilation of reports to ensure effective management of resources within the Stakeholder Relations (e.g., EEMT, performance, expenditure, and other Ad-hoc reports as and when required.
• Ensure invoices are processed within 30 days.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate records and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and risk management frameworks.

Excellence & Organisational Impact 5%

• Improve stakeholder satisfaction through consistent, professional, and value-driven engagement.
• Contribute to organisational excellence by strengthening trust, credibility, and collaboration with stakeholders.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications

Minimum / Core Requirement:

• Grade 12 or equivalent and:
• B Degree (NQL 7 ) in Communications, Public Relations, or Marketing.

Additional Advantage:

Postgraduate Qualification advantageous - NQF Level 8

Experience

Minimum / Core Requirement:

• Minimum of 5 years or more experience in stakeholder relations, external communications, or strategic engagement within a SETA-regulated environment.

Demonstrated experience in:

• Developing and writing content for internal and external stakeholder communication and public-facing platforms.
• Managing strategic relationships with key internal and external stakeholders

Preferred Experience

Prior experience within a SETA, public-sector entity, or regulatory institution.

Experience engaging with industry bodies, business associations, and sector stakeholders within the insurance or broader financial services environment.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of the insurance sector and the skills development ecosystem.
• Knowledge of public-sector communication governance, protocols, and accountability requirements.
• Sound understanding of reputation management and issues management principles within an organisational context.
• Awareness of stakeholder engagement frameworks and best practices.

Skills

• Exceptional writing, editing, and content development skills, with the ability to produce clear, structured, and authoritative stakeholder communication.
• Strong ability to translate complex, technical, or policy-driven information into accessible and credible messaging for diverse stakeholder audiences.
• Proven stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability at senior levels.
• High levels of professional judgement, discretion, and sensitivity in handling confidential or high-risk matters.
• Strategic thinking with strong issue identification, analysis, and response planning skills.
• Confidence and credibility in working directly with executives, board members, and senior stakeholders.
• Excellent deadline management, attention to detail, and ability to operate effectively under pressure.

Special Requirements

• Availability outside normal working hours to support executive and stakeholder engagements when required.
• Demonstrated resilience and capability to manage high-pressure, sensitive, or reputationally complex situations.