Head: Research and Information Department

To lead the Research and Information department in executing its key supportive roles to the IDC by monitoring and analysing economic and industrial trends, and forecasting movements in key macroeconomic variables and in specific sectors of economic activity; undertaking sectoral/industrial/value-chain specific research and analysis that lead to the identification of opportunities for the expansion or establishment of new production capacity in South Africa and/or in the rest of the African continent, with the IDC as a potential catalytic project promoter or financial partner; and providing strategic research and policy formulation support to the South African government

**Qualification and Experience** Qualifications**
- A master’s degree in economics or an equivalent qualification

**Knowledge and Skills**
- Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in an economic research and analysis environment.
- At least 5 years of experience in managing teams and operating at a leadership level.
- Deep understanding of the economic environment (international, regional, and domestic) and factors influencing it.
- Comprehensive knowledge of sources of economic data and other pertinent information, as well as research methodologies.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and an ability to understand, integrate and analyse complex information.
- Strong planning and organisational skills, including a proven ability to think strategically, seeing the big picture without sacrificing the details, negotiation skills and team building skills, as well as a credible ability to influence and present ideas.
- Capacity to connect, understand and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to handle high-level demands of a complex organization, including the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Strong public speaking and presentation skills, exhibiting confidence and an ability to communicate effectively and compellingly at all levels, both internally and externally.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

**Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and statistical software.**

**Roles and Responsibilities**
- Lead a team of economists and researchers in undertaking macroeconomic and sectoral/industrial/value-chain research and analysis, driving a high-performance culture.
- Develop and implement research strategies to support the IDC’s mandate and strategic objectives.
- Continuously improve the analytical capability of the team to provide insightful and relevant contributions and recommendations to the strategic planning processes at the corporate and operational levels.
- Ensure that the department’s research and analysis is highly practical and oriented towards the identification of emerging trends, industrial development opportunities both domestically and regionally, as well as threats.
- Contribute to the provision of the theoretical and intellectual platform of research information for the effective achievement of the mandates as determined by/for the IDC/dtic
- Exercise effective quality assurance and oversight and ensure consistency and coherence across the broad range of the department’s research and analysis outputs.
- Facilitate the continued development and maintenance of comprehensive databases of economic and sectoral/industrial data.
- Provide economic analysis and advice the IDC’s Board of Directors, executive management and other senior management, as well as policymakers.
- Research on major development issues (as identified by the organisation) facing South Africa and Africa and their relation to global economic governance and possible solution generation to provide and enable the organisation/dtic to be knowledge led.
- Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Represent the Corporation across a range of public platforms, including media, proactively leveraging on opportunities to demonstrate thought leadership, compellingly and credibly, on a range of economic and industrial development areas.
- Manage conflict, address performance management issues, facilitate constructive working relations and healthy morale among the department’s staff and other stakeholders.
- Manage the departmental budget.
- Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Job Reference: IDC00108