Open to opportunities

Kundai John

@kundaijohn

Industrial/Organisational psychology professional focused on talent marketing, employee engagement, and people-centred solutions.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek roles where I can apply I/O psychology to talent acquisition, employer branding, and employee engagement within collaborative, growth-focused organisations.

I am an Industrial/Organisational Psychology practitioner with academic training (MA and BSocialScience Hons) from Rhodes University and hands-on experience in talent-focused marketing, employee engagement, and operational people management. I combine psychological insight with practical HR and employer-branding experience to support recruitment, retention, and workplace wellbeing.

In my current role as a Marketing Specialist at the Business Academy of South Africa, I screen candidate applications, coordinate interviews, and contribute to employer-branding and retention initiatives while supporting policy enforcement and compliance. I have additional experience managing teams and budgets as a Kitchen Manager and supporting residential communities as a Sub-Warden, demonstrating strong operational leadership and stakeholder communication.

I volunteer actively within professional and youth-focused organisations, organising events, contributing to symposium planning, reviewing grant applications, and mentoring peers. I bring a collaborative, detail-oriented approach and a commitment to equity, development, and evidence-informed people practices.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Volunteer Coordinator

Current

Black Industrial & Organisational Psychologist South Africa

Jan 2025 - Present (1 year)

Organised networking events, conducted interviews for a Black Excellence series, and supported symposium planning and organisational goal enhancement for BIOPSA and SIOPSA.

Event Coordination Stakeholder Engagement Interviewing Programme Planning Diversity & Inclusion

Current

Marketing Specialist

Current

Business Academy of South Africa

Apr 2023 - Present (2 years 9 months)

Supported talent-focused marketing and employer branding initiatives, screened applications and coordinated interview logistics to ensure a consistent candidate experience and improved retention-focused engagement.

Employer Branding Interview Coordination Employee Engagement

Youth Panellist

Youth Empowerment Fund

Aug 2024 - Nov 2024 (3 months)

Reviewed and evaluated youth grant applications, provided constructive feedback, and contributed to panel decision-making while ensuring adherence to codes of conduct and safeguarding policies.

Application Review Feedback

Honours Class Representative

Rhodes University

Feb 2023 - Nov 2023 (9 months)

Represented honours classmates by liaising with faculty, addressing student concerns, and supporting academic and administrative coordination during the honours year.

Student Representation Communication Academic Liaison Coordination Stakeholder Management

Mentorship & Volunteer Lead

Calata Mentorship Program

Feb 2022 - Nov 2023 (1 year 9 months)

Delivered mentorship support, participated in house committee activities, and contributed to student wellbeing and transformation initiatives through structured programmes and leadership roles.

Mentoring Leadership

Sub-Warden

Rhodes University

Feb 2022 - Nov 2023 (1 year 9 months)

Managed residence life by mediating resident conflicts, enforcing policies, coordinating emergency responses, and organising community-building activities to maintain a safe living environment.

Conflict Resolution Enforcement Emergency Response Community Building Safety Compliance

Kitchen Manager

SugarBay Holiday Resort

Nov 2020 - Dec 2021 (1 year 1 month)

Recruited and supervised kitchen staff, enforced food safety and sanitation standards, managed inventory and supplier relationships, and controlled kitchen budget to meet financial targets.

Team Management Food Safety Inventory Control Supplier Management Budgeting Training

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Rhodes University

Master of Arts, Industrial Psychology

Master of Arts in Industrial Psychology (degree noted as current).

Rhodes University

Bachelor of Social Science Honours, Industrial Psychology

Activities and societies: Sub-Warden; Calata Mentorship Program; Honours Class representative; House committee member; Transformation Leader; Wellness Leader

Completed B. Social Science Hons in Industrial Psychology in 2023 following undergraduate studies in Industrial Psychology and Political Science.