PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

To manage the entrepreneurship ecosystem initiatives of the North-West University. The incumbent should investigate and make projections to ensure individual project delivery within time, scope, and budget, with an acceptable risk profile.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.     Core entrepreneurial ecosystem:

• Establish internal and external partnerships to jointly develop a NWU entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Develop and implement a calendar of events, workshops and development opportunities to advance entrepreneurship amongst students and staff.
• Manage the development of programmes, systems, procedures and tools to implement NWU entrepreneurial ecosystem initiatives.
• Identify issues and risks related to implementation in a timely manner, suggesting appropriate program adjustments.
• Build collaborative networks with ecosystem participants to assess performance and anticipate needs.

2.     Project plans:

• Develop new concepts and initiatives with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide professional input into proposed projects and do risk assessments of projects.
• Develop project plans and specifications for execution.

3.     Finance:

• Compile project budgets.
• Manage project budgets and ensure variances are kept to a minimum, and that associated UCDG funding risks are minimised.

4.     Project marketing and dissemination:

• Develop and implement marketing strategies to raise awareness of project initiatives and to secure participants and support for individual projects.
• Disseminate project progress throughout NWU, professional networks and social media.

5.     Reporting:

• Maintain continuous lines of communication to keep key stakeholders informed of all critical issues related to finances, staff, and organisational operations.
• Lead processes for evaluating the success rate of programmes, events, and initiatives to gain insight from data, and directly follow up with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop project reports, including financial status.
• Manage project reporting in compliance with NWU and DHET guidelines.

6.     Research:

• Integrate research into training and development programmes to ensure that students' and staff's needs are addressed through the offered initiatives.
• Retain research data to equip NWU staff members to develop a more holistic view of the entrepreneurial landscape while being offered an opportunity to disseminate and publish their research.

7.     Data:

• Gather cumulative demographic and entrepreneurial development data to demonstrate the impact of initiatives.

·          A bachelor's degree (NQF level 7) in Business Management.

·          A minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing multi-disciplinary projects and a team.

·          A minimum of 2 years' experience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

·          Business acumen in the following:

• Business Principles and Environment
• Commercial Orientation
• Entrepreneurial Principles
• Professionalism

RECOMMENDATIONS / ADDED ADVANTAGES:

·          An honours' degree (NQF level 8) in Business Management or an MBA (NQF level 9).

·          Financial / Project Management qualification.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

·          Project and contract management principles

·          Financial Management

·          Management Information:

• Utilisation
• Interpretation
• Application
• Understanding
• Systems

·          Administrative Knowledge:

• Procedures
• Processes
• Systems
• Controls

·          Develop project plans and budgets

·          Planning / Organising / Control:

• Arrangements
• Use of resources
• Time planning
• Control systems
• Feedback
• Standards

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

·          Ability to develop relationships of trust with stakeholders.

·          Able to work independently with little direct supervision.

·          Good organising and planning skills.

·          Excellent oral and written communication skills.

·          Ability to develop and deliver high-level presentations.

·          Strong project proposal-development capability.

·          Able to work under pressure towards deadlines.

·          Accuracy and attention to detail.

·          Results driven

REMUNERATION:

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:                    Dr Leonie Greyling, Leonie.greyling@nwu.ac.za

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:    Mr Zenyo Seboko, Tel: 018 299 4951

CLOSING DATE:                                                                                                      19 April 2024

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES:                                                           As soon as possible

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.