DIRECTOR: STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
Listing reference: nwu_000641
Listing status: Closed
Apply by: 23 April 2022
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: University and Academy
Location: Potchefstroom
Contract: Permanent
About our company
NWU
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR (POTCHEFSTROOM)
VACANCY: DIRECTOR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
POSITION NUMBER: NEW
PEROMNES GRADE: 5
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
This role is responsible for the management of strategic partnerships with all spheres of government (local, provincial and national) and other key stakeholders (communities, business organizations, civil society, NGOs etc.). This will involve providing intelligence, knowledge of stakeholders, flagging risks of negative reputation and identifying opportunities for the NWU as well as managing special projects in the VC’s office.
Job description
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategy Development:
• Jointly accountable with CRM to develop and provide strategic advice on the implementation of the NWU Strategic partnerships strategy, policies and plans by ensuring alignment with the NWU overall strategy.
Stakeholder Engagement:
• Analyse and manage the national stakeholders' interests and requirements and provide proactive solutions
• Advise the Vice Chancellor and senior leadership on strategic engagement
• Jointly accountable with CRM for reputational management of the NWU with all stakeholders including national, provincial and local government
• Facilitate stakeholder audits working with the NWU report on the findings and compile action plans on the mitigation of shortcomings
• Evaluate impact of engagement strategies; provide feedback to the Vice Chancellor
• Work closely with the VC, his executives and leaders of various internal forums established to drive institutional agenda.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement platforms including but not limited to scheduling, coordination of timelines, flow of documentation and related information between forums and consolidation of related reports.
• As a joint accountability with CRM assist with the stakeholder review process and identification of new stakeholders.
• Oversee and coordinate all communication regarding all key stakeholder engagement plans.
Strategic Partnerships:
• Responsible for initiating and managing strategic partnerships with other universities, government, business, civil society and other existing and potential NWU partners.
• Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with NWU’s strategic partners by developing a tailored engagement plan.
• Support the organisation develop a clear and compelling value offering to key strategic partners, including (but not limited to) key sectors, government departments, donors and civil society
• Jointly accountable with CRM for assisting with positioning the NWU for funding initiatives and actively raise funds from government, local and internal donors, business, alumni’s and high net worth individuals.
Special Projects:
• Direct and coordinate all special projects assigned by the Vice Chancellor
• Serves as a liaison with UMC members, Council members and other relevant stakeholders in special projects to ensure that goals are met.
• Drafts schedules for implementation of long-range plans and proposals.
• Monitors special project progress, drafting and distributing periodic progress reports for leadership and stakeholders.
• Maintains compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and best practices.
• Assist the Office of the Vice-Chancellor with the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of special projects as conceptualized by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.
• Promoting Special Projects in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.
• Support Special Projects in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor by arranging video clips, power point presentations and ensuring it reaches the targeted audiences.
• Develop and maintain projects’ database for the VC’s office.
• Coordinate the interaction and engagement logistics between the office of the VC and project leaders.
• Assist the office of the VC with the mapping of stakeholder engagement
External Communications:
• Jointly accountable with CRM for spearheading strategic direction initiatives and planning, coordination, and management of the Vice Chancellors public relations, and communications strategy.
• Jointly accountable with CRM for creating, implementing and measuring the success of communications and public relations programs that will enhance the organisation’s image and position the NWU as one of the best institutions in Africa.
• Jointly accountable with CRM for supporting senior management and Council in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with external organisations and funders.
• Jointly accountable with CRM for ensuring articulation of the NWU desired image and position, assure consistent communication of image and position;
• Jointly accountable with CRM to coordinate media interest in the NWU and ensure regular contact with target media and appropriate response to media requests;
Community Engagement:
• Assist the Vice Chancellor in socially responsive local community projects, supportive of the NWU objectives and programmes
• Identify and drive local opportunities for community engagement on behalf of the Vice Chancellor.
• Jointly accountable with CRM for NWU brand positioning and promotion through effective relationships with local government, the community, industry, students, parents and alumni and other stakeholders.
Management and Leadership Results Areas:
• Team composition, effectiveness and efficiency
• Stakeholder relationship development and effectiveness
• Corporate governance conformance, reporting and risk management
• Budgeting, cost management and cost-effectiveness
• Unit processes and systems design, utilisation, effectiveness and efficiency
• Personal effectiveness, wholeness and development
• Values-based behaviour leadership and personal compliance
Minimum requirements
· A Master’s degree; MBA or MBL (NQF Level 9) is desirable
· An Honours degree in Communications or Business, or any other related field (NQF Level 8)
· Eight (8) to Ten (10) years’ experience in Strategic Partnerships and Project Management
· Five (5) years’ experience in the Higher Education is desirable.
Other competency requirements:
Functional / Technical Competencies (Knowledge and Skills)
· Stakeholder engagement expertise
· Strong relationship management and collaboration skills
· Strong networking and relationship building skills with diverse stakeholders including government (local and national), donors, businesses, civil society organisations.
· Strategic thinking and negotiation skills.
· Highly confident to engage with leaders in government, business and civil society at the highest level
· Convening and facilitation skills
· Advanced communications and negotiation skills
Behavioural Competencies
· Strong interpersonal skills
· Self-starter who is able to work independently but also collaboratively as part of a diverse team.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:
Prof Mala Singh at Mala.Singh@nwu.ac.za / 018 299 4970
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:
Mr Lolo Boyana at Lolo.Boyana@nwu.ac.za / 018 299 4803
CLOSING DATE: 22 April 2022
PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: 1 June 2022
Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website.
Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
