What is your job?
I'm a senior sustainability officer for Enel Green Power Southern Africa.
My job entails implementing projects at community level.
We are required to spend a percentage of our revenue in our host communities.
So, we do SED (Socio-economic Development)
and E&D (Enterprise Development) projects.
Can you describe your typical day?
Wow!
No day is ever the same but,
typically, we deal with suppliers,
we deal with implementing projects that we do in our communities.
This could range from educational support projects,
healthcare initiatives,
but also some other social welfare initiatives.
So, typically,
I deal with project execution,
budget management,
stakeholder relations management as well,
because from the work that I do,
it also has an aspect of community relations,
which is quite big in our department.
What do you like most about your job?
I love that the projects that we do are quite impactful,
that we are changing people's lives.
So, it doesn't matter how small it is,
the fact that we are making changes in people's lives
bit by bit is what I'm passionate
and I love about my job.
What don't you like about your job?
The workload is crazy!
No, it gets crazy because, I mean,
we work for a multinational company,
so it means that we don't only report locally,
but we report globally as well.
So, that in itself has its own workload.
So, it's like two plates in one.
Would you advise a friend to come and work here? And if so, why?
Absolutely.
I mean, one:
EGP is a great company to work for,
but also just that international exposure.
That's great for anyone's career.
And, also, you will definitely get to learn a lot,
you know,
there's ample opportunity.
I mean, if you are willing to take on the challenge,
then I think that it's definitely the right place to be,
if you want an up in your career.
What makes you most proud about your job?
It's knowing that we are making a difference in people's lives.
I received a call from one of our beneficiaries this one afternoon,
and he just wanted to say, “Thank you,” you know,
“thank you for opening up the door,
thank you for giving us the opportunity,
and I've taken it with…
I've grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
And now I'm doing additional things on top of the skills that you've provided me with.”
What was a pleasant surprise about your job?
Two things, actually.
One is that I would learn so much in such a short space of time.
I mean, I've only been here a little over two years,
and, yeah, I know, I've grown a lot,
I've learned a lot,
I'm still learning every day is a learning process.
And the second one is that I would love the company
that I work for so much.
I mean, not everyone gets to be that lucky in that they find
or they find their dream job
and they love the company they work for!