Hub Manager

TechnoServe; Johannesburg; On-site; USD 30,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Hub Manager to lead the Enterprise and Supplier Development Program in South Africa. This role involves overseeing program operations, managing a dedicated team, and engaging with stakeholders to drive economic change. The successful candidate will have a strong background in business administration or economics, with experience in SME development and supplier engagement, particularly in the mining sector. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on local enterprises and communities, fostering growth and resilience in the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 7 years or Master’s degree with 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in SME development and Supplier Development preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage hub operations and oversee program delivery and quality assurance.
• Lead a 7-person team, ensuring performance management and development.
• Engage stakeholders and manage financial systems for the hub.

Skills

Business Administration

Economics

Marketing

Development

Supplier Development

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Financial Management

Project Management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Job description

Enterprise and Supplier Development Program

South Africa, July 2023

Role Title: Hub Manager

Reports to: Program Director

Grade: 9

Location: Rustenburg

Travel: Regular travel within the target geography and to Johannesburg will be required.

Company Background

TechnoServe (www.technoserve.org) is a non-profit, economic development organization with a sustained commitment to its 50-year-old founding mission to work with enterprising men and women in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We are business development specialists assisting farmers and other entrepreneurs in 29 countries, increasing their access to information, capital, and markets. The increased income our clients derive enhances resilience and prosperity for their families and communities.

In 2021, TechnoServe’s work helped improve 2.3 million lives, increasing the revenues of 407,000 farms, businesses, and employees by $250 million. Each of our interventions increases the impact on women, who represented 41% of beneficiaries globally in 2021. Our commitment to sustainable impact earned us the designation of the #1 non-profit fighting poverty in 2019 by ImpactMatters, the independent charity ratings agency.

In South Africa, we supported 779 beneficiaries in 2021 to gain $24.9 million (R396m) in increased revenue and wages as a result of our work. A large proportion of the beneficiaries were SMMEs and 43% of those with increased revenue were women or women-owned businesses.

Program Background

TechnoServe has been competitively selected by a large South African corporate partner to deliver the Enterprise and Supplier Development program in South Africa. The initiative offers the opportunity to deliver transformative economic change by supporting local enterprises to grow their businesses to the next level. The initiative will drive broader development across the mining, agricultural, tourism, and retail sectors to support local economic development. Once fully scaled, the initiative aims to support 10,000 jobs across 15 locations in South Africa. This will be a global flagship initiative in proving the impact of shared value initiatives: namely how business can make investments that both deliver value to shareholders and deliver meaningful impact to individuals and communities in their areas of operation.

TechnoServe will deliver the Enterprise and Supplier Development initiative through a network of hubs, operating under the brand name of the corporate partner.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program delivery and quality assurance

• Overall responsibility for operating the hub and day-to-day oversight of program operations
• Creating and managing a work plan and coordinating all activities related to the program’s start-up, including the convening and selection of participants, delivery of training, consulting, and business financing for participating entrepreneurs
• Defining and implementing the program’s outreach and promotional strategy
• Coordinating demand-side interventions to identify opportunities for participants and creating linkages
• Meeting hub-level targets agreed with the TechnoServe Program Director
• Strategic oversight of 2 project components: Supplier Development and Enterprise Development.

Team management

• Managing and developing a 7-person team
• Direct supervision of 4 Business Advisors, 1 Administrator, and 1 Receptionist.
• Performance management of direct reports

Stakeholder engagement and partnerships

• Primary responsibility for managing the relationship with the staff at the corporate partner’s local operation; conduct regular meetings with key counterparts
• Developing relevant pro bono mentorship program for suppliers within the SD program
• Primary responsibility for engaging with a financial partner on the performance of entrepreneurs from the hub, prior to, during, and after financing
• Primary responsibility for identifying and engaging with local partners and sub-contractors
• Primary responsibility for engaging with local government and tribal authorities

Financial management

• Managing the hub’s overall finances and financial systems
• Ensuring expenditures and cost per job supported are within the allowable budget
• Managing procurement for the hub and ensuring it is in line with TechnoServe’s procurement policies

Monitoring and evaluation

• Coordinating the program’s monitoring and evaluation system, including data analysis for the continuous improvement of the program
• Representing and reporting on the project internally and to donors and project partners

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree plus 7 years’ experience or Master’s degree plus 5 years’ experience in business administration, economics, marketing, development, or a related discipline
• Experience working in SME development
• Previous exposure to Supplier Development work within the mining sector or other sectors is strongly preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (in English and local languages)
• Strong organizational and managerial skills
• Knowledge of the South African economic, social, and development context – at provincial level strongly preferred
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills in a multi-cultural environment
• The ability to work independently, adhere to strict deadlines, and function effectively as a member of a global team
• Current/past work/living in target geography (province) preferred
• Strong commitment and dedication to economic development
• Long-term commitment to the project
• Valid driving license

How to Apply

• Qualified and interested applicants should apply via the link on or before 07 July 2023. Please identify the position for which you are applying in the subject line. Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be considered or contacted. Applications will be considered as received. No phone calls please.