You sell your expertise to organisations that don't have it in-house, for a defined project or a set number of days.
Typical work
- Diagnosis: review a process, policy or system and recommend fixes.
- Projects: write a policy, set up a system, run a tender, train a team.
- Retainers: a set number of days a month as an outside expert.
Who pays: small and mid-size companies, NGOs, and sometimes government departments through procurement.
What to check first
- Your employment contract: restraint of trade and conflict-of-interest clauses.
- If you're a public servant, you need approval for paid work outside your job.
- Regulated fields need registration: legal practice, financial advice (FSCA) and engineering sign-off (ECSA), among others.
A good sign: one paid engagement from your network within three months.