Professional Practice of Stakeholder Engagement Management
Driving Impact
Course Overview
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex landscape of community engagement and stakeholder relations.
The course explores the drivers, challenges, and legal requirements influencing project-linked community stakeholder relations. Students will examine the dynamic interplay between various types of stakeholders, both internal and external, and explore strategies for cultivating positive relationships. The course will also provide essential tools to assist students to identify and map stakeholders based on their interests and influence, as well as approaches to design, implement and maintain stakeholder engagement plans. Overall, you will gain the insights and tools needed to navigate the complexities of community engagement and stakeholder relations, helping you contribute to positive project outcomes and resilient stakeholder relationships.
What you will walk away with
- A clear understanding of the core principles and global, regional, and local factors that shape effective stakeholder relations and engagement.
- The ability to identify, communicate, and strategically respond to the risks associated with weak community support and poor stakeholder relationships.
- Insight into the fundamental aspects of human behavior in company-community dynamics, including the drivers and triggers of conflict.
- Practical skills in applying stakeholder mapping and analysis techniques specifically within your local context.
- The competence to design comprehensive stakeholder engagement plans and prepare effectively for their execution.
- The know-how to select and implement the most suitable engagement methods and techniques for diverse stakeholder groups.
- Enhanced abilities in active listening, fundamental communication, and facilitation for productive stakeholder interactions.
- The capacity to effectively identify, understand, and manage the diverse expectations of your stakeholders.
- The expertise to design and manage robust local community grievance and complaint resolution
- Practical methods and approaches for building influence and achieving alignment among internal stakeholders.
- The knowledge and skills to implement processes for obtaining Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Additional Course Information
Module Breakdown
Curriculum Overview
Module 1
Introduction to Stakeholder Relations and Community Engagement
This module provides the background for social performance and community engagement, and stakeholder relations in natural resource projects, including an examination of the key drivers and challenges influencing project-linked community relations.
Module 2
Understanding Levels of Community Support
This module explores various levels of community support and how they are influenced by organisational activities and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Module 3
Understanding Human Behaviour
This module explores basic human behaviour psychology to empower students with practical strategies for effective community engagement and stakeholder relations.
Module 4
Managing Stakeholder Expectations
This module navigates the intricacies of stakeholder expectations and introduces strategies for effective management.
Module 5
Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis
This module focuses on stakeholder mapping and analysis which is a crucial process for understanding and engaging diverse stakeholders effectively. Students learn to identify, analyse, and prioritise stakeholders based on their interests and influence.
Module 6
Stakeholder Engagement Planning
This module focuses on the process of planning for stakeholder engagement. Students learn to develop, implement, monitor and adjust effective engagement plans, taking into account stakeholders' diverse needs and interests.
Module 7
Methods and Techniques for Stakeholder Engagement
This module explores the range of methods and techniques available for community engagement and stakeholder relations, including the advantages and disadvantages of each, and when they are best used.
Module 8
Basics of Communication and Facilitation
This module builds capacity in selected communication and facilitation skills which are considered critical to creating a safe and enabling environment for meaningful engagement.
Module 9
Influence and Internal Alignment
This module will focus on the basics of communicating with impact and influence, across a broad range of stakeholders, including internal stakeholders from other departments and disciplines.
Module 10
Managing Community Grievances and Complaints
This module introduces key concepts and approaches for managing and resolving project-level community complaints and grievances.
Minimum Requirements:
- National Senior Certificate, NQF 4 or equivalent
- English proficiency
Who should apply:
- Entry to executive-level professionals
Learn with the best
Our Internationally acclaimed researchers and teachers are all dedicated and gifted individuals who contribute directly to UCT GSB's reputation of excellence.
Course Convenor
As a social scientist, the focus of Alison’s work over the past 25 years has been in the field of ‘social performance’, predominantly in the extractive industry (mining), and over recent years, in the renewable energy sector.
Deputy Director : Faculty and Research
Ralph is a professor at the UCT Graduate School of Business and works on business sustainability and social innovation and entrepreneurship.
Course Convenor
Lisa is an independent social performance consultant with a learning and facilitation practice.
Partnership
This course is offered in partnership with Synergy Global Consulting, with 24 years’ experience in stakeholder relations
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TODAY
Acquire new competencies and move your career to the next level!
FAQ
15% for 3 - 6 applicants (bulk discount applied from third applicant)
10% for 7+ applicants (bulk discount applied to all applicants)
10% for alumni of UCT GSB academic and Executive Education courses
The UCT GSB's Breakwater Campus is situated in the heart of Cape Town's most popular tourist attraction, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Centrally located and easily accessed, the UCT GSB is just 1.5km away from the central business district and 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.
As an added benefit to studying at the UCT GSB, you'll be situated in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Short Course Certificate
Flights & accommodation costs are not included.
The course is a non-credit-bearing course delivered at the equivalent of an NQF 8 postgraduate level of study.
The course is accredited through UCT, which is a registered public higher education institution with the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Each programme is accredited through an internal UCT quality assurance process, as delegated by the CHE, ensuring the excellent quality of our offering.
In short, this course does not refer to NQF levels.
Ideas Exchange
UCT GSB Highlights in 2023
This year has been an exceptional year for the UCT GSB. This article highlights some of the moments that were greatly celebrated.
Read Article
The hidden ‘systems work’ that is changing the world
Imagine a world where former gangsters and informal workers become social leaders and women living with HIV are pioneering healthcare workers. A new generation of social-change leaders are doing just this, showing us a new way to overcome systemic and structural barriers at scale.
Read Article
The role of entrepreneurs engaged in alleviating period poverty
Nishana Bhogal is a PhD candidate at the UCT GSB who has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship to pursue her research work on the role of entrepreneurs engaged in alleviating period poverty. We spoke to her about her research and what she plans to achieve while she is in the USA.
Read ArticleRelated Courses
Fundamentals of Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations
View Course