Business Unit Leader

1 year contract (with renewal periods)

Qualifications / Requirements:

- S., M.B.A., or other post-graduate degree in business administration, international development or other relevant technical fields
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant and progressive work experience in Southern Africa; at least 5 years of program management in a supervisory role, C-suite level or senior management level with decision making roles on developing people, managing, decision making on budgets and tracking project progress as well as relationship management
- Proven ability to successfully initiate rapid program start-up and manage a project to completion
- Experience working with agricultural market systems, rural producers, Farmers’ associations, agribusinesses, private sector agricultural production, marketing, or sales, and/or Governments
- Demonstrated track record in providing technical and managerial leadership to development projects
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required
- Ability to build relationships and rapport with teams, staff, and agricultural service providers and navigate challenging or unexpected circumstances with creativity, calm, and positivity
- Ability to communicate effectively with persons on all levels both inside and outside the company on issues that could be complex or sensitive in nature
- Adaptable and innovative
- Collaborative and open to feedback
- Able to work independently and in a team setting
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders
- Excellent oral and written communication, technical, and reporting skills for a high visibility, flagship program
- Fluency in written and oral English and Xhosa is essential
- Advanced computer skills in a Windows based environment including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel
- Familiarity with SharePoint and MS Teams or other work collaboration IT platforms

Key Performance Areas:

- PROJECT MANAGEMENT and IMPLEMENTATION
- Responsible for strategic leadership, day-to-day quality control, technical oversight, employee management, and the overall implementation of the project
- Guide the entire project with a clear, consistent, and committed vision
- Develop and monitor the workplan of the project, prepare and ensure quality content and quality writing of quarterly and annual project reports outlining progress towards meeting activity deliverables and targets as well as any lessons learned, success stories and upcoming activities
- Ensure that the project submits quarterly and annual reports, work plans, and any other deliverables to the donor and US office according to agreed-upon formats, in a quality manner, and on a timely basis
- Responsible for implementing these plans in a timely fashion while maintaining quality work standards and ensuring that deliverables are met
- Lead identification of and relationship building with local service providers, public and private entities and serve as a primary liaison and representative of the business
- ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION:

- Support Operations Manager to coordinate recruitment, selection, and orientation of new staff (around 5 staff)
- Develop, and manage all staff working on the project, in accordance with sound management practices, employee manual, and in compliance with South African Labour laws
- Promote a productive, professional, and safe working environment
- Oversee the annual performance evaluation process for all staff and conduct evaluations for direct reports
- Ensure that salary and promotion decisions are conducted fairly and in accordance with Employee Manual and other relevant policies and procedures
- Supervise acquisition and management of office property and bank accounts in compliance with policies and procedures, the Lines and Limits outlined in his/her Power of Attorney and JDF contract stipulations
- Ensure that all contracts are competed, issued, and managed in accordance with Procurement Manual and the Lines and Limits outlined in his/her Power of Attorney
- Coordinate with US-based staff on a regular basis to discuss program accomplishments, activities, potential issues, as well as identify new business development opportunities in South Africa
- Foster a team culture that embodies values and strives for shared success, joint accountability, and commitment to achieving project deliverables - on time, on target, and on budget
- Ensure a work environment that is non-discriminatory and promote open dialogue on gender-related issues
- FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:

- Review monthly financial and project reporting and advance request before submission to the US, ensuring strict adherence to Field Financial Manual, contract stipulations, and other relevant policies and regulations
- Monitor JDF Market Systems project budget and projections to ensure that expenditures are within approved budget parameters
- Contribute to preparation of as-needed budget