Chief Executive Officer

Overview:

To ensure that the strategic direction, financial administration and commercial functions of JoGEDA are sound, in order to effectively fulfill its overall development mandate. To provide leadership in the building of relationships with key stakeholders at a local, provincial and national level.

Reports to: Board of Directors; Council – Joe Gqabi District Municipality

Direct Reports: Executive Assistant; Chief Financial Officer; Company Secretary; Executive Operations Manager

Minimum Requirements / Experience / Skills:

• Grade 12
• Masters Degree in Business Administration and Management
• 10+ years’ management experience at chief executive, executive director and/or executive management level within a development finance, investment management or multi-faceted / stakeholder business environment
• Knowledge of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) 56 of 2003, Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulations, as well as other legislation, procedures and processes pertaining to local government leadership
• Strong entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work with and influence multiple stakeholders amidst conflicting priorities
• Long term, strategic focus and contextual knowledge in solving problems
• Strategic, change and governance leadership
• Moral competence
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Office)
• Valid Driver’s License

Key Performance Areas:

Strategic Direction:

• Provide strategic leadership and vision to the Organisation
• Contribute to and participate in strategic planning exercises of the parent municipality and local municipalities within the district
• Collaborate with the Board to define and articulate the vision and mission of the Organisation, and develop strategies for supporting the vision and mission
• Ensure that the organisation’s long term strategy is located within the context of the growth strategy of the district and province
• Give guidance, collaborate and lead the executive team of the Organisation, and ensure that the team effectively plans and executes duties and responsibilities within their respective areas

Planning:

• Develop and manage operating plans that support the strategic direction set by the Board and the parent municipality, and correlate with annual operating budgets
• Support the Board and staff with the development of long range and annual operating plans, and with the evaluation and reporting of progress on those plans
• Ensure that the organisation’s annual operating plans are aligned with the Integrated Development Plans of the parent municipality and those of local municipalities within the district, and obtain buy-in from the parent municipality as part of the operational planning process

Operational Implementation:

• Take overall responsibility for the planning and implementation of a portfolio of projects and facilities in line with the organisation’s strategic plans and mandate
• Direct the establishment of internal controls to maintain a strong control environment
• Drive the creation of a sustainable and high performing environment and culture that supports the organisation’s strategy
• Pre-approve Board meeting agendas, ensuring that all strategic matters that require Board decisions are included, and represent the organisation at Board meetings and sub-committee meetings
• Assist the Board to articulate its own role and evaluate its performance regularly
• Evaluate the Organisation’s performance and that of its staff on a regular basis, and report accordingly to the Board and the parent municipality
• Keep abreast of all programmes and projects undertaken by the Organisation
• Chair management meetings to critically assess projects and programmes and assist in problem resolution
• Research and write discussion papers, analysis documents and proposals as needed to assist the Organisation in determining and meeting its long and short term goals
• Employ, manage and dismiss the personnel of the organisation in line with approved policies and procedures and applicable legislation and regulations, ensuring that the Organisation has appropriately qualified and experienced human resources to fulfil tasks assigned to them
• Ensure good employee relations and promote a management culture that reflects the organisation’s values, encourages accountability, excellence and good performance, and rewards productivity
• Put measurable skills transfer and capacity building arrangements in place for the benefit of targeted personnel of the Organisation
• Develop and mentor future leadership within the Organisation, to ensure business continuity and professional growth and development of staff

Strategic Partnerships and Networking

• Act as the chief spokesperson of the organisation
• Cultivate and enhance a good corporate governance image and maintain the company’s corporate brand
• Develop and sustain functional relationships with relevant organisations
• Plan for and ensure appropriate representation of the organistion in all appropriate structures and organisations
• Network with politicians, local, provincial and national municipal officials, business and industry leaders and key community members on behalf of the Organisation
• Make presentations to media liaisons and relevant forums to ensure the role and achievements of the Organisation are widely communicated
• Plan for, develop and negotiate service contracts with clients, partners and stakeholders of the Organisation
• Ensure the appropriate management of external professional firms and resources that are engaged to bolster the Organisation’s overall capacity

Finance and Supply Chain Management

• Act as the Accounting Officer of the organisation
• Provide thorough and accurate information to the Board and parent municipality to ensure that they are appropriately informed of the organisation’s financial position
• Ensure that the Organisation prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports and submits these to the Board and the parent municipality
• Develop and manage strategies for ensuring the long term financial viability and sustainability of the Organisation
• Ensure that the financial, administrative and supply chain functions of the Organisation are effectively managed within the legislative framework
• Take overall responsibility for the budget and resource utilisation of the Organisation
• Oversee staff in developing annual budgets that support operating plans
• Regularly monitor the Organisation’s goals and objectives in accordance with expected targets and budgets
• Ensure that staff implements appropriate and sound accounting procedures and policies in compliance with Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP)
• Expand the Organisation’s funding base through existing funders, develop new sources of funding, with a focus on increasing the Organisation’s capital base
• Ensure effective management and evaluation of all Organisation investments

Organisation compliance and risk management

• Manage the Organisation’s compliance with legal, legislative, policy and regulatory requirements
• Ensure that operations and activities of the Organisation are conducted in accordance with applicable corporate governance standards
• Take overall accountability for ensuring that risk and compliance management systems, policies and procedures and an effective monitoring and evaluation framework are in place
• Provide support to the Company Secretary in his reporting requirements to the Board
• Ensure that business continuity planning and health and safety measures are implemented to limit risks
• Review new major contracts and business proposals from a risk perspective
• Emphasise risk awareness in the organisation and encourage direct reports to implement risk management practices