Managing corporate communication activities at GIPF

Manager for stakeholder engagement at the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), Katrina Sikeni was appointed on 16 November 2023.

She enjoys what she considers an ideal working environment that has resulted in high levels of engagement and motivation. This, she said, will lead to increased productivity, creativity and job satisfaction, and will result in meeting the fund’s strategic objectives over the short- and long-term.

Sikeni explained that the pension fund industry is all about ensuring financial security and stability upon retirement, death or disability of its members. This is attained through the responsible and transparent management of the fund in accordance with various internal and external policies, procedures and compliance to various legislative frameworks whilst maintaining member centricity.



Roles and responsibilities

In her role as manager for stakeholder engagement, her responsibilities and areas of accountability include dealing with all corporate communication interventions on behalf of GIPF in an effective and consistent manner. She ensures that all stakeholder engagement and communication is clear, concise and comprehensive to enhance and maintain a positive image.

Equally, she is responsible for managing all corporate communication activities which constitute providing information to stakeholders for the establishment of a mutually beneficial relationship.

“This role further requires that I analyse data and assess stakeholder needs and expectations to positively address stakeholder concerns and the promotion of the fund. This will be achieved through robust project management approaches, exceptional leadership skills that display my high level of integrity and self-awareness, and my ability to influence others through respect for myself and others,” she added.



Proud moments

Sikeni said her career accomplishments and proud moments include winning various awards such as: Top and best performer; awards won for the companies she represented for transparency; best exhibitors at national trade fairs and exhibitions; successful implementation of various strategic objectives that resulted in brand recognition and positive positioning of organisations; serving on various boards in sectors such as the fishing and the media industries and previous roles held in the broadcasting industry.

Witnessing career satisfaction through the offering of a professional, conducive and positive work environment allows her to fully enjoy her job. She said this is vital in allowing for a sense of purpose aligned to her passion for communication and people while the GIPF remains a member-centric organisation.



Challenges

Sikeni highlights that all communication interventions require balancing the act of diverse stakeholder needs and expectations, which may be challenging. But to overcome and address these challenges, she intends to prioritise what is important and urgent through constant and proactive collaboration, high levels of emotional intelligence, robust project management and conflict resolution as and when required.

Despite challenges she may face within her line of work, she remains dedicated to assist members through communication and GIPF's core mandate: To secure their financial future. Contributing to retirement planning and navigating the complexities of pension systems is inspiring to her, she said.

“The fact that this industry and the fund offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on members' lives by ensuring their financial well-being during retirement, disability or death is inspirational in so many ways."



Career goals

With a great focus on assessing, identifying and prioritising stakeholder concerns and needs and expectations, Sikeni is familiarising herself with the GIPF’s strategic plan, policies and procedures to develop tailor-make engagement strategies and interventions through clear and open communication channels.

Her short-term goals are focused on monitoring and addressing all emerging issues to cultivate interventions to positively impact the fund. This is important and must be accomplished “in a transparent manner, enabling the fund to be trusted by members and all stakeholders as it is the largest defined benefits pension fund and single biggest investor in the economy, with assets of approximately N$148 billion and constituting more than 89% of the country’s gross domestic product [GDP]”.

When not at work, Sikeni loves to travel, read books and spend quality time with her family members, who she considers to be a source of joy. She said they provide her with ultimate fulfillment.