About Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA)
The Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency employs the triple helix cluster model with representation from Government, Industry, and Academia as part of its design setup. The cluster works at the interface between business, government, and academia in order to identify and remove barriers to economically viable green economy catalysing its uptake to enable the region and its citizens to prosper.
MGCA is a non-profit organisation that works to advance a sustainable and inclusive green economy and create shared value in the Mpumalanga province. We work both at the micro and macro level supporting green-tech SMEs build their businesses, enabling bigger businesses to improve their environmental footprint, and assisting the provincial government to create the right environment for a more resilient green economy. Ultimately, we are helping to facilitate more investment, ecosystem building and stimulate job creation into Mpumalanga’s green economy.
The Circular Economy Programme
A circular economy is a systemic shift from the traditional “take-make-disposable” model to one designed to eliminate waste and keep resources in use for as long as possible. In the South African context, this model is particularly transformative as it addresses the dual challenges of extreme resource scarcity and high unemployment. By transitioning away from a purely extractive economy, South African and Mpumalanga can utilise circularity to drive alternative economies like the “Green” and “Circular” sectors. It moves the country and province toward a more inclusive, resilient, and labour-intensive economic structure that prioritizes localised production and environmental restoration over finite resource depletion.
Purpose of the Job
The Senior Circular Economy Lead will facilitate conversations between diverse role players to drive inclusivity in the design and implementation of our circular economy in (largely) packaging materials. The role players the Senior Analyst will engage with include the informal sector, local and national government officials, producer responsibility organisations, and the private sector (brand owners, retailers, and waste management companies among others). The role will include site visits and surveys to assess current challenges and opportunities of both the informal and formal sectors, in order to facilitate the breaking down of barriers to inclusivity and to realise the opportunities in a circular economy in South Africa.
Job Details:
| Job Title | Senior Circular Economy Lead |
| Location | Middelburg, Mpumalanga (with travel as required) |
| Contract Type | 12 month contract, with a three-month probation period |
| Reports To | Programme Manager |
| Remuneration | Market-related |
Qualifications and Experience
- Postgraduate degree in Engineering, Environmental Studies, Economics, or equivalent.
- Minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience.
- Knowledge and experience in the environmental and waste sector, business development and/or green technologies.
- Understanding of South Africa’s environmental and waste management policy landscape (and associated sectoral policies).
- An existing network of stakeholders in the environmental and waste management sector (e.g., regulators, ERPs, PROs, technology providers, consultants, government, NGOs, academia, communities).
Competencies and Skills
- Strong understanding of the South African environmental and waste management sector.
- Proven experience in circular economy industry
- Demonstrated expertise in solution development, project development, business development.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confidence in formal and informal public speaking.
- Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to identify, understand and quantify the viability and size of energy sector opportunities.
- Excellent attention to detail; ability to self-manage, multi-task and prioritise.
- Flexibility and willingness to contribute to wider organisational needs when required.
- Valid South African driver’s licence.
- Innovative and driven.
Core Tasks and Responsibilities
-
Support the realisation of the MGCA corporate strategy
- Align activities to the MGCA corporate strategy
- Align operational plan to MGCA implementation plan
- Align programmes and projects to MGCA objectives and annual plans
-
Relationship building and stakeholder engagement
- Build and maintain key relationships across the circular economy value chain.
- Identify and unlock barriers to investment; provide objective market insights to unlock opportunities and create jobs.
- Meet with industry players; participate in industry events and government forums; contribute to relevant sector projects and research reference groups.
- Facilitation of meetings, workshops, events, webinars, summits and conferences
-
Market research and data collection
- Develop relationships to access data resources.
- Collect, manage and analyse market data for targeted dissemination.
- Gather and share information required by investors to make informed investment decisions to circular economy projects.
- Compile, analyse and report data to explain sector dynamics and forecast trends; ensure meticulous data management.
- Develop market and industry briefs on circular economy
- Develop concept notes to enable circular economy value chain
- Manage colleagues executing feasibility and research studies
-
Stakeholder Identification, engagements and mapping
- Identification of role players and key stakeholders in the Mpumalanga circular economy (e.g. regulators, PROs, municipalities, financiers, waste pickers, waste buyers, waste processors, waste beneficiation, communities
- Management a circular economy steering committee or working groups
- Coordination, planning and event management of workshops aimed at integrating the informal waste sector (including all stakeholders referred to above)
- Facilitate engagements with government officials and Producer Responsibility Organisations to support integration of reclaimers (informal waste collectors)
- Liaise with the informal sector and PROs to co-design an efficient collection, sorting and aggregation of dry recyclables, synergising with municipalities.
-
Project delivery and reporting
- Develop project concepts to support the MSMEs and Communities
- Develop project pipeline gathering initiatives from MSMEs, Communities, Municipalities, other key stakeholders
- Raise project funding through local and international funding platforms and calls
- Project manage internal and external projects and resources to meet deliverables and milestones.
-
Report writing
- Collate diverse sources of informal on secondary material flows, current infrastructure and operations, and optimisation of operations (in partnership with the team) to develop a business plan for increasing supply of recyclables in metropolitan areas
- Monthly report backs on data analysis with a view to impact in driving a circular economy for packaging
- Develop briefs and case studies to stimulate interest and engagement in a circular economy for packaging
-
Sectoral technical expertise
- Act as first point of contact for external sectoral queries.
- Provide insights for current MGCA partners and potential new collaborators in areas of specialisation.
- Perform sector data analytics using multiple data sources; input into annual market intelligence reports.
- Contribute technical intelligence to projects; provide formal comments to authorities on draft policies and legislation.
-
Human Resources
- Manage junior resources
- Perform skills transfer to junior resources
- Execute performance management for junior resources
Contract length and remuneration:
This is a contract position. Contract renewal will depend on performance and the organisation’s requirements at the time. There will be a three-month probation period for this position. Remuneration will be market-related, with recognition that MGCA is a not-for-profit organisation. Offers made will take qualifications, experience and level of responsibility into account.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should complete the application form and upload all relevant documents (CV, and proof of qualifications) here: https://forms.gle/VanrF5PgMGaQrKoP6 by 20 August 2026.
MGCA is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity employment. Women and individuals from historically disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
