Description
Strategic Planning and Monitoring

• Collaborate with executive leadership to define and refine the organisation’s strategic direction.
• Analyse internal and external factors impacting the business landscape, identifying emerging opportunities and risks.
• Develop strategic plans, roadmaps, and frameworks to guide organisational growth and long-term success.
• Develop, implement and maintain policies for performance management that incorporate aspects of monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure alignment of the ARC monitoring and evaluation objectives to that of various government policy frameworks and acceptable best practice standards/codes.
• Monitor and evaluate organisational performance, oversee performance reporting, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Lead and manage the strategy and planning team, providing guidance, support, and mentoring.

Market and Internal Performance Analysis

• Conduct comprehensive market, industry, customer, and competitor analyses to inform strategic decision-making.
• Evaluate organisational performance, identifying areas for improvement and optimisation.
• Recommend strategic initiatives to drive revenue growth and enhance operational efficiency.
• Develop and utilise key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress towards strategic outcomes.

Strategy Implementation and Leadership

• Support the CEO in implementing strategic plans and initiatives in line with the organisation’s mission and goals.
• Oversee the execution of activities outlined in the organisational strategic plan, ensuring effective implementation.

Executive Support

• Provide high-level support to the CEO in managing daily operations.
• Ensure seamless functioning of the Office of the CEO, facilitating organisational performance management and reporting.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with external research organisations to position the organisation as a leader in South Africa’s national agricultural research system.
• Provide administrative leadership for partnershipsand collaborations with external stakeholders.

Communication and Reporting

• Act as a key point of contact for communication between the CEO and various stakeholders.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and correspondence on behalf of the CEO.

Financial Management

• Assist the CEO in financial planning, budgeting, and monitoring of financial performance.
• Ensure financial sustainability and efficiency through effective financial oversight.

Operational Oversight

• Work with divisional heads to ensure alignment with organisational outcomes.
• Monitor performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement operational strategies. Reporting and Presentation.
• Prepare and present reports, findings, and recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Develop performance dashboards and reports to track key metrics and inform decision-making.

Project Management

• Manage and oversee key projects and initiatives, ensuring timely delivery within budget and scope.

Strategic Support to the CEO

• Provide direct support to the CEO in achieving key organisational strategic objectives.
• Identify and drive continuous business improvement initiatives aligned with strategic goals.

Requirements

• A PhD’s Degree in Agriculture or Science.
• Postgraduate degree in Business Management /MBA/MBL will be an added advantage.
• 8 years of management experience, of which 5years should be at the Senior Management level.
• Ability to project or forecast future business trends and risks that could impact the organisation.
• Good insight into the operations of different business units within the organisation.
• Experience in the implementation of Strategic Management and associated methodologies.