As global expectations around ESG performance evolve, one area remains persistently underdeveloped: the ability to manage social risk, stakeholder relationships, and community impact with confidence and credibility.
To help address this critical skills gap, the UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), in collaboration with Synergy Global Consulting, has introduced the Fundamentals of Community Engagement and Social Impact Leadership – a short course designed to equip ESG professionals with the tools and insights needed to lead in socially complex environments.
This foundational course in the Social Performance and Impact Leadership Program – a structured, practice-oriented suite of seven courses designed to build deep, applied expertise in social impact and stakeholder engagement. It directly responds to an industry-wide demand for professionals who can manage the social dimensions of ESG with credibility, confidence, and clarity.
Purpose and Relevance: Driving Sustainable Impact
The Fundamentals of Community Engagement and Social Impact Leadership course aims to deepen participants’ understanding of how thoughtful, well-structured community engagement and social performance can contribute to the sustainability of business operations, particularly in complex and high-impact sectors. This skill set is essential for ESG professionals aiming to build trust, mitigate risk, and deliver lasting, measurable value.
Participants will explore practical tools and frameworks for stakeholder engagement, social risk management, benefit delivery, and impact measurement. These core areas are grounded in international best practice and ESG standards, ensuring relevance across a wide range of geographies and industries.
Who Should Enrol?
This course is purpose-built for early- and mid-career professionals working in ESG, sustainability, social performance, or corporate responsibility roles. It is especially relevant to individuals in the following sectors:
- Renewable Energy
- Mining
- Oil and Gas
- Infrastructure Development
- Forestry
- Agriculture
It is also well suited to ESG analysts, CSR specialists, community liaison officers, development practitioners, and those from other disciplines who want to integrate social impact into their organisational strategies.
Course Structure: Practical, Applied, and Relevant
Participants will benefit from an engaging blend of instructor-led sessions, interactive exercises, and peer learning across the following modules:
- Introduction to Social Impact Management: The role of social performance in ESG, business value, and current global challenges
- Building Capacities for Social Impact: Strategies for organisational maturity and internal system development
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Engagement techniques, planning tools, and the business case for participation
- Identifying and Managing Social Impacts and Risks: Assessment methods, mitigation strategies, and governance practices
- Social Impact Management Systems: Using the PDCA model and standard frameworks for planning and reporting
- Socio-economic Benefit Delivery: Delivering shared value and advancing social equity goals
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Developing Theory of Change models and tools for measuring outcomes
Learning Approach and Outcomes
Assessments are designed to be practical and applied – featuring real-world scenarios, interactive exercises, and structured reflections that support active learning and immediate workplace relevance.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Reflect critically on the strategic role of social performance in ESG
- Design effective stakeholder and impact management interventions
- Implement benefit delivery systems that create tangible community value
- Apply monitoring and evaluation techniques to track outcomes and improve practices
- Interpret and assess ESG performance with a socially grounded lens
Why This Course? A Strategic Investment in ESG Leadership
“Social performance is no longer a peripheral concern – it’s central to effective ESG strategy,” says Lisa van Dongen, lead course facilitator. “Through our partnership with the UCT Graduate School of Business, we’re making these critical concepts accessible to professionals across industries. The course empowers professionals to work across disciplines, align internal systems, and embed social impact into broader ESG frameworks.”
Ralph Hamann, Professor at UCT GSB, adds: “The UCT Graduate School of Business is committed to developing leaders who can tackle the complex challenges of our time. This collaboration with Synergy Global Consulting allows us to offer a highly relevant and practical programme that equips professionals with essential skills for effective community engagement and social impact leadership – a cornerstone of responsible business and excellent ESG performance.”
Designed as both a standalone course and a customisable learning solution for corporate teams, this programme is the ideal launchpad for professionals seeking to embed social impact leadership into their ESG strategies – and strengthen organisational resilience in the process.
Applications are now open find out more and secure your place.
