Director Africa Hub for Youth

Nelson Mandela University; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 750 000 - 1 000 000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution seeks an experienced leader to oversee the Mandela University Africa Hub. This role requires a visionary with a Master's in Business Management and a strong track record in entrepreneurship development, fundraising, and strategic management. The ideal candidate will ensure the Hub effectively fosters entrepreneurship and social innovation while managing compliance and operational effectiveness. Applicants are encouraged to submit a detailed CV and motivation letter by the closing date, February 13, 2026.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years management experience in an entrepreneurship development environment.
• Proven track record of successful fundraising and resource mobilization.
• Incubation management experience is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative strategies for positioning the Mandela University Africa Hub.
• Ensure effective governance and compliance for the Hub's operations.
• Oversee partnerships and resource mobilization efforts.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Entrepreneurship Development

Risk Management

Financial Management

Analytical Thinking

Problem Solving

Skills of Influence

Education

Master's degree in business management/Entrepreneurship

Job description

Overview

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB: Provide visionary leadership, innovative strategy development, agile execution, and continual renewal to positioning the Mandela University Africa Hub as a dynamic, adaptive, and sustainable catalyst at the heart of fostering a self-reliant, creative and enterprising generation of entrepreneurs, social innovators and change-makers.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Thinking: Develop, mobilise and deploy creative and innovative knowledge and thinking to position the MUAH at the core of the living ecosystem for entrepreneurship development and social innovation.
• Strategic Management: Develop and recommend the HUB’s long-term strategy, vision, and performance targets, supported by annual implementation plans and budgets that drive sustainable growth.
• Entrepreneurship Development and Social Innovation Promotion: Develop and implement programmes that promote entrepreneurship and social innovation, recruit students, the youth and entrepreneurs to grow the MSMEs in key economic sectors.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure effective management structures, sound policies, and robust governance systems while monitoring compliance with legal, regulatory, and applicable standards.
• Operational Effectiveness and Optimisation: Oversee capital and operational expenditure, ensure efficient resource allocation, and monitor HUB’s performance against agreed objectives.
• Organizational Development: Establish effective structures, systems, teams, and operating models that enable execution of strategy, excellence and realisation of the imperatives of sustainability of the MUAH.
• Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships: Design integrative collaborative ecosystems for resource mobilisation and programme or project-based partnerships.

Core Competencies

Advanced level of competencies required:

Leadership & Strategy

• Strategic Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Programme and Project Management
• Creative and innovative thinking

Business & Financial Acumen

• Entrepreneurship Development
• Risk Management
• Financial Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• People Management

Communication & Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Skills of Influence
• Marketing and Communication
• Partnership Management
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Conflict Resolution Management

Technical Proficiency

• Computer Literacy

Requirements

• A master’s degree in business management /Entrepreneurship.
• At least five years management experience in an entrepreneurship development environment.
• Proven track record of successful fundraising and resource mobilization.
• Incubation management experience will be an added advantage.

Additional Information

e.g. contact person and telephone number, e-mail; etc.

Closing Date

Closing date for applications: 13 February 2026. A detailed CV (max. 5 pages); a motivation letter outlining relevant experience and suitability for the role; contact details of three referees.

Disclaimer

Nelson Mandela University is a designated employer committed to pursuing excellence, diversity, inclusion, and redress in achieving its employment equity targets. Preference will be given to suitably qualified (Race and Gender) candidates in accordance with the University\'s employment equity targets. No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 13 February 2026.