NATIONAL EMPOWERMENT FUND (NEF)

TRAINEE (SECRETARIAT)

Listing reference: nef_000188

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 7 August 2026

Position summary

Industry: Financial Services

Job category: Secretarial

Location: Sandton

Contract: Internship

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction

The Trainee Programme offers an opportunity to gain experience in corporate governance, board administration and secretariat functions within a corporate environment. Through practical exposure to governance frameworks, policies and processes, the Trainee will develop a strong understanding of the principles that drive effective leadership, compliance, accountability and ethical business practices. Furthermore, this programme is ideal for a graduate aspiring to build a career in secretarial and corporate governance environment, providing valuable professional experience and insight into the critical role of governance in organisational success.

Job description

• Provide administrative and coordination support for Board and Sub-Committee meetings including meeting logistics, agendas, meeting packs and minute taking.
• Maintain governance and compliance records, statutory registers, resolutions, minutes and other company secretarial documentation in accordance with regulatory and company requirements while ensuring confidentiality, accuracy and integrity of the information.
• Assist with tracking and follow up on Board and Sub-Committee resolutions, action items and matters arising.
• Assist with statutory filings, regulatory submissions, governance reporting and compliance related activities.
• Conduct research on legislations, corporate governance frameworks (including King IV), regulatory developments and governance best practices.
• Support the delivery of governance and compliance services by responding to governance, legal and regulatory queries.
• Promote adherence to corporate governance principles, internal policies and applicable regulatory requirements.

Minimum requirements

Experience / Skills Required

• Applicants should be unemployed graduates who have not previously held a full-time position and have not participated in an internship or learnership programme;
• Basic administrative experience will be advantageous;
• Basic understanding of corporate governance principles and board administration processes;
• Knowledge of governance frameworks, including the Companies Act and King IV, will be advantageous;
• Basic understanding of statutory record-keeping and company secretarial documentation;
• Knowledge of governance structures including Boards and Committees;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook);
• Strong written and verbal communication, organisational and interpersonal skills;
• High level of professionalism, attention to detail and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma in relevant fields (B Com Law, LLB, Public Management and Administration, CGISA or similar)

Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build effective stakeholder relationships and work collaboratively in a team
• High levels of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality
• Adaptability, initiative and a willingness to learn

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HEAD OF REGIONS

Listing reference: nef_000187

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 6 August 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 provide a dedicated leadership, coordination and technical oversight to Regional Managers. The role will strengthen regional investment performance, improve the quality and consistency of deal origination and structuring, as well as ensure alignment of regional operations with the NEF's strategic objectives, organisational KPIs and developmental mandate.

Job description

Strategic Leadership of Regional Operations

• Provide strategic leadership to all Regional Offices.
• ✓ Develop and implement regional investment strategies aligned to:
• NEF Strategic Plan
• Annual Performance Plan (APP)
• Organisational KPIs
• Shareholder priorities
• Government industrial policy transformation objectives
• Drive consistent implementation of investment strategy across all Regional Offices
• Develop regional performance improvement initiatives
• Lead organisational change across Regional Offices. 

Regional Investment Growth

• Drive sustainable investment growth across all provinces
• ✓ Ensure sufficient and quality deal flow to meet annual investment targets.
• ✓ Monitor pipeline conversion rates and timelines.
• ✓ Identify underperforming regions and implement corrective interventions.
• ✓ Develop regional business development strategies.
• ✓ Ensure equitable distribution of investments nationally.
• ✓ Promote investment in rural areas, townships, secondary cities and economically underdeveloped districts.

Business Development

• Provide leadership on regional business development.
• ✓ Develop strategic partnerships with Provincial Governments, Municipalities, DFIs, Industry Associations, Business Chambers, Incubators and Enterprise Development programmes
• ✓ Promote NEF products nationally.
• ✓ Identify emerging investment opportunities.
• ✓ Develop regional sector strategies.

Technical Investment Support

• Provide technical guidance to Regional Managers throughout the investment process
• ✓ Support deal origination, deal structuring, funding solutions, financial modelling, transaction packaging, pricing as well as risk identification and mitigation
• ✓ Provide technical oversight on transactions and assist on complex transactions.
• ✓ Support early review committees.
• ✓ Mentor Regional Investment Associates and Analysts.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure investment reports submitted by Regional Offices meet NEF standards.
• ✓ Review commercial analysis, developmental impact, financial assumptions and financial implications as well as funding structures and investment recommendations.
• ✓ Improve investment quality and turnaround times.
• ✓ Reduce rework by Funds.
• ✓ Ensure consistency of investment recommendations nationally.

Regional Pipeline Management

• Monitor pipeline health nationally.
• ✓ Review pipeline ageing, conversion ratios, approval rates, decline trends and turnaround times.
• ✓ Implement interventions where required.
• ✓ Ensure regional targets are achieved.

Developmental Impact

• Ensure investments maximise the employment creation, black ownership, women ownership, youth ownership, people living with disabilities, rural development, township economy, localisation and industrialisation.
• Promote investments that deliver measurable socio-economic impact.
• Ensure alignment with national transformation priorities. 

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain relationships with Provincial MECs, Municipalities, Development Agencies, Provincial Economic
• Departments, Business Organisations and Industry Associations.
• Represent NEF nationally.
• Resolve regional escalations. 

Performance Management

• Manage Regional Managers
• Monitor performance and drive accountability.
• Develop regional capability.
• Support succession planning.
• Ensure alignment of regional KPIs with organisational objectives. 

Investment Process Improvement

• Drive implementation of Standard Operating Procedures, investment governance, technology adoption, AI-enabled screening, CRM improvements and pipeline management systems.
• Ensure standardised investment practices nationally. 

Governance and Risk

• Ensure regional compliance with Investment Policies, Delegation of Authority, Risk and Governance framework, compliance requirements, monitor audit findings and implement corrective actions.

Minimum requirements

Experience / Skills Required

• Minimum 10 years investment experience with at least 5 years in senior management;
• In depth working experience in Development Finance, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Investment Banking, Commercial Banking and Project Finance fields;
• Extensive experience in transaction structuring, investment committee presentations, financial modelling, business development, portfolio management, regional management, stakeholder engagement and leadership;
• Solid expertise managing geographically dispersed teams.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Management, Engineering, Commerce Investment Management or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA, CA(SA), CFA, Master’s) is advantageous.

Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes

Technical Competencies

• Investment Structuring
• Corporate Finance
• Financial Modelling
• Commercial Analysis
• Risk Assessment
• Development Finance
• Portfolio Management
• Business Development
• Stakeholder Management
• Negotiation
• Performance Management
• Project Management

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Visionary Thinking
• Decision Making
• Influencing
• Relationship Building
• Problem Solving
• Innovation
• Change Leadership
• Customer Orientation
• Results Orientation
• Integrity

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REGIONAL MANAGER: EASTERN CAPE

Listing reference: nef_000186

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 6 August 2026

Position summary

Industry: Financial Services

Job category: Banking, Finance, Insurance. Stockbroking

Location: East London

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction

To manage the regional office operations while directly originating, assessing, structuring and implementing investment transactions. In addition, this role requires a strong dealmaker with sound financial modelling and investment analysis capabilities, coupled with the ability to represent the NEF in stakeholder forums, build strategic partnerships, and drive business development to achieve NEF’s developmental and investment KPIs. Lastly, this position is suited for an experienced Investment Associate or Senior Investment Associate who can operate independently, manage the end-to-end investment process, and provide leadership to a small regional team without necessarily having prior formal management experience.

Job description

A. Deal Origination and Investment Execution

• Identify, originate, and structure commercially viable deals aligned with NEF’s mandate in the Eastern Cape.
• Assess new applications for commercial viability and eligibility against NEF’s investment criteria.
• Prepare investment proposals, including financial models, risk analysis, and investment motivations.
• Present deals to NEF Committees (Investment and Credit) for approval.
• Ensure timeous implementation and disbursement of approved transactions within set turnaround times.
• Address Credit Risk queries and Legal structuring matters collaboratively with head office teams.
• Oversee post-approval implementation and handover to Post Investment for monitoring. 

B. Pipeline Development and Business Growth

• Drive active deal flow generation within the province through stakeholder engagement, outreach, and business development.
• Work with municipalities, provincial departments, DFIs, and business chambers to source viable projects.
• Identify investment opportunities that contribute to job creation and provincial economic growth.
• Maintain a strong and quality pipeline that aligns with NEF’s annual investment and empowerment targets.

C. Financial Analysis and Modelling

• Develop robust financial models to evaluate project feasibility, profitability, and repayment capacity.
• Conduct sensitivity and scenario analyses to support decision-making.
• Support valuations, pricing, and structuring of funding packages (debt, equity, or blended instruments).
• Provide quantitative and qualitative inputs for investment reports and presentations. 

D. Regional Leadership and Office Management

• Oversee daily operations of the Eastern Cape Regional Office and ensure compliance with NEF policies.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to the regional analyst and administrator.
• Ensure high-quality deal screening, timely reporting, and effective client communication.
• Manage resources and workflows to meet turnaround time targets and organisational KPIs.
• Foster a results-oriented, collaborative regional team culture aligned with NEF’s core values. 

E. Stakeholder Management and Representation

• Represent the NEF in provincial stakeholder meetings, investment forums, and development partnerships.
• Coordinate with provincial government, business associations, and local enterprises to promote NEF offerings.
• Ensure alignment of provincial initiatives with NEF’s strategic priorities and transformation objectives.
• Promote NEF’s visibility through outreach programmes, SME workshops, and public engagements.

Minimum requirements

Experience / Skills Required

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in investment analysis, deal structuring, or corporate finance.
• Proven experience in SME funding, venture capital, or development finance.
• Strong understanding of financial modelling, valuation, and credit risk analysis.
• Exposure to legal and transaction documentation (Shareholders Agreements, SPAs, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to originate and close transactions independently.
• Experience engaging with government and development stakeholders preferred.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Investment Management or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., Honours, CFA Level 1, MBA) advantageous.

Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes

• Strong deal-making and analytical skills.
• Advanced financial modelling and Excel proficiency.
• Excellent business writing and presentation ability.
• Ability to balance developmental and commercial imperatives.
• Sound judgment, integrity, and decision-making ability.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire a small team.
• Professional maturity and self-motivation 

Attitudes and Behaviour

• Integrity and ethical conduct.
• Results-oriented and deadline-driven.
• Strategic and proactive thinker.
• Client-focused with a developmental mindset.
• Collaborative and adaptable.
• Professional representation of NEF at all times.

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