Interview Preparation for Community Engagement Role at TooMuchWifi

General and Opening Questions

• Professional Background

  • Over 10 years in community development, outreach, and stakeholder engagement
  • Led large-scale programs in townships with significant social impact
  • Experience in NGOs, public-private partnerships, and digital access projects
  • Built and managed diverse, high-performing teams across regions

• Motivation for Applying

  • Desire to work for a mission-driven company at the intersection of tech and social change
  • Opportunity to lead strategy while engaging with community realities
  • Inspired by TooMuchWifi's impact and culture

• Knowledge of TooMuchWifi

  • Provides affordable, reliable internet to underserved communities
  • Focus on bridging the digital divide in South Africa's townships
  • Values-driven and people-centered organization

• Career Interest in Digital Connectivity

  • Belief that access to information and connectivity changes the landscape for development
  • Passion for using technology to empower and include
  • Witnessed firsthand the positive impact of internet access on youth and families

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Developing Community Engagement Strategy

  • Begin with community listening and internal consultations
  • Assess community needs, assets, and aspirations
  • Set clear goals that align with social impact and business growth
  • Co-create initiatives with partners and pilot before scaling

• Aligning Strategy with Company Goals

  • Collaborate with various departments (e.g., Commercial, Network Ops)
  • Map engagement goals to company KPIs
  • Utilize regular reviews and shared dashboards for tracking

• Elements of Effective Community Engagement Strategy

  • Clear purpose with measurable outcomes
  • Community participation and ownership
  • Consistent messaging aligned with values
  • Flexibility to adapt as community needs evolve

Community Insight & Challenges

• Challenges Facing Township Communities

  • High unemployment and limited access to services (electricity, sanitation, internet)
  • Safety concerns, overcrowded housing, and youth disillusionment
  • Urgent need for inclusive development initiatives

• Building Trust with Communities

  • Show up consistently, listen before acting, follow through on promises
  • Engage respectfully and provide tangible value to build credibility

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Key Stakeholders in Community Engagement

  • Local residents, community leaders, NGOs, schools, businesses, and informal networks
  • Internal stakeholders include field teams and technical departments

• Long-Term Relationships with Local Organizations

  • Consistent engagement, delivering on commitments, and co-creating value
  • Priority given to relationship-building before project initiation

Crisis Management and Risk

• Handling Community Initiatives That Go Wrong

  • Acknowledge issues, take responsibility, and provide revised timelines
  • Communicate transparently and adjust protocols to improve future handling

• Managing Public Backlash

  • Listen actively to community concerns and investigate root causes
  • Share corrective actions clearly and maintain open communication

Program Oversight and Data Analysis

• Monitoring and Evaluation Methods

  • Use Theory of Change and Logical Framework Approach
  • Conduct baseline and endline surveys, focus groups, and real-time monitoring

• Tracking Program Success

  • Set SMART goals, utilize feedback loops, and regular assessments of impact

Communication and Advocacy

• Tailoring Messaging for Different Audiences

  • Executives: Focus on metrics and strategic impact
  • Community Members: Use relatable language and empathy-driven narratives
  • Partners: Highlight mutual benefits and collaborative opportunities

• Advocacy for Digital Inclusion

  • Showcase benefits of digital access and collaborate with stakeholders to improve infrastructure
  • Share success stories to demonstrate real benefits of connectivity

Future Vision & Personal Drive

• Opportunities for TooMuchWifi

  • Expand access to affordable, high-speed internet
  • Foster digital inclusion to enable education, job creation, and entrepreneurship

• Personal Legacy Goals

  • Create deeply rooted community trust through engagement models
  • Develop sustaining programs that continue delivering impact beyond tenure

Closing Questions to Ask

• What does success in this role look like in 6 months?
• What challenges is the community team currently facing?
• How do you support staff growth and development?
• What are the next steps in the hiring process?