Desmond Moeng Tau
Economic Development Practitioner
Carnarvon,NC
Summary
Experienced Socio-Economic Development and Stakeholder Relations Practitioner with over 10 years of experience across the renewable energy, NGO, and government sectors. Demonstrated expertise in enterprise development, community trust management, and implementing inclusive, high-impact development programs. Adept at engaging diverse stakeholders, managing strategic partnerships, and ensuring regulatory and social license compliance. Committed to fostering sustainable community growth and economic empowerment through transparent, participatory approaches.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
21
21
years of post-secondary education
7
7
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Stakeholder Relations and Community Development Practitioner
National Research Foundation / SARAO
09.2023 - Current
- Lead the design, management, and execution of community development programmes focusing on socio-economic development, enterprise development support, and corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives aligned with institutional and government mandates.
- Identify potential community development projects by conducting needs assessments and stakeholder consultations to ensure alignment with local priorities and regulatory frameworks.
- Develop comprehensive project plans and coordinate multi-stakeholder implementation processes, ensuring milestones and deliverables are met on time and within budget.
- Oversee monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment processes, employing quantitative and qualitative methods such as surveys, interviews, and baseline studies to track progress and outcomes.
- Develop, implement, and continuously update stakeholder management strategies and plans, including stakeholder mapping and engagement frameworks to ensure effective communication and partnership building.
- Establish and facilitate project support committees and relevant community forums to promote transparency, participatory decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Conduct regular community meetings and feedback sessions to disseminate information, address concerns, and build trust among diverse stakeholders.
- Manage grievances by establishing clear reporting mechanisms, monitoring complaints, advising management on mitigation and risk strategies, and providing timely, transparent feedback to affected parties.
- Prepare and submit key reports such as the annual Community Development Plan, quarterly socio-economic development (SED) and enterprise development (END) annexures.
- Newsletter Development: Draft and distribute engaging newsletters covering community development projects, stakeholder consultations, and programme milestones to keep stakeholders informed and engaged.
- Event Planning & Coordination: Plan, organize, and execute key events including project launches, handovers, and community forums. Responsibilities include logistics management, venue setup, catering, branding, and on-site coordination.
- Stakeholder Invitations & Protocol: Compile invitation lists, send formal invites, manage RSVPs, and ensure adherence to protocol for government, community, and private sector stakeholders.
- Photography & Visual Documentation: Capture high-quality photographs of community events, project sites, and stakeholder engagements to support reporting, media coverage, and institutional archives.
- Marketing & Promotions: Design and distribute brochures, posters, and branded materials to promote development initiatives and increase public awareness of programme impacts.
- Media Monitoring: Track print, broadcast, and online media coverage related to organizational activities, compiling coverage reports and analysing public sentiment.
- Social Media Management: Develop content calendars, create visual and written content, and manage engagement across social media platforms to amplify the impact and visibility of community projects.
- Public Relations & Communication Support: Draft press releases, coordinate with local media, and ensure consistent messaging across internal and external communication channels.
- Ensure all programmes comply with relevant legislation and policies, including National Research Foundation Office requirements, Department of Science and Innovation guidelines, and POPIA.
Stakeholder Relations and Economic Development Practitioner
Enel Green Power
08.2015 - 08.2023
- Managed comprehensive stakeholder relations programmes for Three large-scale solar energy projects, fostering positive and sustainable relationships with local communities, municipal authorities, and regulatory bodies.
- Developed and implemented socio-economic development strategies and enterprise development programmes that stimulated local economic growth and supported small business capacity-building in project-affected areas.
- Conducted detailed stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify key interest groups, power dynamics, and potential areas of conflict or collaboration.
- Coordinated the establishment and facilitation of community liaison forums and project advisory committees to enhance inclusive participation and joint decision-making.
- Led community needs assessments, workshops, and consultations to tailor development interventions to the unique social, economic, and cultural contexts of the project areas.
- Oversaw grievance management systems by tracking community complaints, investigating issues, advising management on appropriate responses, and ensuring timely resolution to maintain social license to operate.
- Ensured full compliance with regulatory frameworks, including the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), by preparing and submitting required reports and documentation to the IPP Office and other stakeholders.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including environmental, legal, and communications departments, to align stakeholder engagement efforts with overall project objectives and corporate social responsibility goals.
- Monitored and reported on programme performance, capturing impact metrics and lessons learned to inform continuous improvement and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Liaised with and supported the Community Trust in project planning, implementation, and reporting to ensure alignment with REIPPPP compliance and local needs.
Community Development Officer
Action Aid South Africa
02.2014 - 07.2015
- Coordinated and implemented community development projects focused on poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, and education initiatives in vulnerable communities.
- Engaged with local stakeholders including community leaders, NGOs, and government agencies to assess community needs and prioritize interventions.
- Facilitated training workshops and capacity-building sessions to strengthen community members’ skills in leadership, advocacy, and project management.
- Supported the monitoring and evaluation of programme activities to ensure alignment with donor requirements and organisational goals.
- Advocated for community rights and facilitated access to social services by liaising with relevant authorities and service providers.
- Assisted in the development of project proposals and reports for funding applications and donor compliance.
Information Officer
Mogale City Local Municipality
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Managed information dissemination and public communication initiatives for the municipality.
- Supported community outreach and awareness campaigns aligned with municipal programs.
- Coordinated data collection and reporting for departmental projects and public inquiries.
- Liaised with community members and stakeholders to provide relevant information and resolve concerns.
District Coordinator
Department of Sports, Arts and Culture
01.2008 - 12.2012
- Coordinated sports, arts, and culture programmes across the district to promote community participation and development.
- Facilitated partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders to support events and initiatives.
- Monitored project implementation and reported on progress to provincial authorities.
- Assisted with budgeting, resource allocation, and capacity building for community groups.
Information and Resource Centre Officer
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
01.2005 - 12.2007
- Managed the resource centre providing economic and tourism-related information to local businesses and the public.
- Assisted with research, data collection, and analysis to support departmental planning.
- Delivered presentations and workshops on economic development opportunities.
- Supported marketing and promotional activities to attract investment and tourism.
Librarian
Joe Morolong Local Municipality
02.2003 - 12.2004
- Managed library services and resources for the local community.
- Facilitated literacy programmes and educational activities.
- Assisted patrons with information retrieval and research.
- Coordinated library events and outreach to promote reading and learning.
Library and Information Officer
Kuruman Moffatt Mission Trust
01.2002 - 01.2003
- Managed library and information services to support educational and community development initiatives.
- Provided access to resources and information for community members and staff.
- Assisted in organizing literacy and educational programmes.
- Maintained records and managed information systems to improve resource accessibility.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies, Communication Studies, Information Science
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa 04.2001 - 01.1999
Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management - Human Resources Management
Southern Business School
Krugersdorp, South Africa 04.2001 - 01.2025
Skills
- Socio-Economic Development
- Stakeholder Engagement & Relations
- Community Liaison & Facilitation
- Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
- Project Management
- Communication & Reporting
- Governance & Compliance
- Research & Data Analysis
- Capacity Building
- Public Relations
Certification
Enterprise and Supplier Development Training (Refresher Course), 05/25
Accomplishments
- Maintained incident- and strike-free environments for over 10 years, ensuring smooth project operations and strong community relations.
- Awarded Best Stakeholder Engagement of the Year for exemplary relationship building and effective communication with diverse stakeholders.
- Successfully hosted and organized the (preparations G20 Visit), International Astronomy Assembly, EU ambassador Parliamentary Portfolio, SALGA, ICASA site visits events amongst others.
Timeline
Stakeholder Relations and Community Development Practitioner
National Research Foundation / SARAO
09.2023 - Current
Stakeholder Relations and Economic Development Practitioner
Enel Green Power
08.2015 - 08.2023
Community Development Officer
Action Aid South Africa
02.2014 - 07.2015
Information Officer
Mogale City Local Municipality
01.2013 - 01.2014
District Coordinator
Department of Sports, Arts and Culture
01.2008 - 12.2012
Information and Resource Centre Officer
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
01.2005 - 12.2007
Librarian
Joe Morolong Local Municipality
02.2003 - 12.2004
Library and Information Officer
Kuruman Moffatt Mission Trust
01.2002 - 01.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies, Communication Studies, Information Science
University of Johannesburg
04.2001 - 01.1999
Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management - Human Resources Management
Southern Business School
04.2001 - 01.2025
Similar Profiles
Evangelos MerziotisEvangelos Merziotis
Molecular Physics Associate at National Hellenic Research FoundationMolecular Physics Associate at National Hellenic Research Foundation
Sajida IsmailSajida Ismail
Divisional Finance Manager at National Research FoundationDivisional Finance Manager at National Research Foundation
Lelona NjajuLelona Njaju
Software Engineer Intern at National Research FoundationSoftware Engineer Intern at National Research Foundation
John FaulknerJohn Faulkner
Junior Administrative Assistant at Carnarvon Medical CentreJunior Administrative Assistant at Carnarvon Medical Centre
Craig MannCraig Mann
Quality Salt & General Works Supervisor at Leichhardt Industrial GroupQuality Salt & General Works Supervisor at Leichhardt Industrial Group