Economic Development Manager

The Economic Development (ED) Manager will support the Knowledge Pele’s mandate  to deliver measurable and social and economic impact alongside renewable energy operations.

The ED Manager is accountable for ensuring full compliance with REIPPPP scorecard elements, BBBEE and Implementation Agreement obligations, and lead the strategy, implementation and compliance of Economic Development (ED) and Socio-Economic/Enterprise Development (ED/EnD) commitments. The ED Manager is accountable for financial management, which entails that spend is compliant and paid within the requisite period. In addition, the Manager is accountable for the identification, selection and contracting of SED/ED implementation partners and the related contractual management. The ED Manager is thus accountable for ensuring that all SED/ED investments are compliant, overall compliance with the scorecard is met, the IPP client is able to meet BBBEE requirements as well as other requirements of the client and delivers impact, per a verified scientific framework.

Job Responsibilities

Strategy, Planning and Management

• Maximise bid scores by crafting ED strategies and inputs and align host-community upliftment with KP strategy.
• Monitor and promote client’s compliance with its relevant economic development obligations per the Implementation Agreement.
• Develop a performance scorecard that evaluates ED achievements against targets and obligations.
• Responsible for collecting and analysing SE. ED data to identify trends, patterns, anomalies, and other helpful information.
• Responsible for using data to develop and optimise strategies and processes, increase profits, efficiency, quality, or security, and reduce costs.
• Responsible for working with internal departments to collect client data and develop and implement strategies.
• Responsible for creating client reports and presentations to summarise findings and influence company decisions.
• Responsible for working with management to establish project objectives, budgets, and timelines, monitor progress, and evaluate performance.
• Responsible for reviewing and improving ED processes, methods, and tools to increase efficiency, accuracy, and security.

Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate meetings with all relevant stakeholders to monitor and evaluate projects implementation. 
• Communicate regularly with stakeholders on progress of projects.
• Manage stakeholder expectations in conjunction with the KP Stakeholder team.
• Support local procurement/SME participation during construction and operations
• Establish risks and mitigation strategies for stakeholders
• Review and update stakeholder types, locations, and programmes annually in conjunction with the KP Stakeholder team.

 Project Management

• Responsible for identifying needs that can successfully be addressed by projects.
• Responsible for pitching and implementing SE. ED project ideas and securing approval before each project commences.
• Responsible for developing new project plans in consultation with stakeholders, including clients and staff.
• Collate reporting data and supporting evidence on a monthly basis
• Manage quarterly and periodic reporting to IPP Office, lenders and private offtakers
• Ensure compliance with PPA
• Prepare and submit a monthly report/ performance scorecard by the 15th of each month
• Prepare and submit the quarterly performance scorecard by the 20th of the month preceding the end of the quarter, specifically:

-          Annexure A

-          Annexure B – Supporting Information

-          Job creation and Procurement data gathering sheet

• Collate evidence required for BBBEE verification of the client.
• Address IPPO clarifications and audit queries
• Prepare Annual ED Plan  
• Consulted on human and material resources required to successfully complete each ED project.
• Responsible for formulating a resource allocation strategy and utilise this to distribute work in the team.
• Responsible for monitoring staff performance to ensure excellence and adherence to specified deadlines.
• Responsible for consulting with clients, consumers, and staff in order to evaluate each projects effectiveness.
• Responsible for reporting on each project's utility upon the uptake of outputs.
• Responsible for consulting with the assigned Project Manager to seek guidance and input during the key phase of each project.

General Management  

• Remain informed on SE. ED responsibilities and business operations.
• Compile and present department updates for Manco.
• Compile department updates for EXCO.
• Responsible for hiring, training, motivating and coaching employees as they provide attentive, efficient service to customers.
• Responsible for resolving conflicts or complaints from customers and employees.
• Remain Informed on project/business activity and ensuring it is properly provisioned and staffed.
• Consulted on business and profit objectives.
• Responsible for maintaining the brand image of the business.
• Responsible for generating client reports and presenting information to upper-level managers (internal executive/clients/senior stakeholders).
• Responsible for ensuring staff members follow company policies and procedures.
• Responsible for negotiating & managing contracts.
• Consulted on the organisational strategy.
• Consulted on organisational policies and philosophies.
• Remain informed on day-to-day business activities.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum of a degree in Social Sciences and/or Development studies or equivalent NQF 8 level, with post graduate studies preferable.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience in Economic Development related field of which 3 years would ideally be within South African Renewables Industry.
• Ideally, 3 years supervisory or management level experience
• Deep knowledge of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme
• Strong Project Management
• High competency in ED scorecard
• Enterprise and Socio-Economic Development best practices
• Monitoring and Evaluations systems development
• Media and Public Relations in the context of reputation management
• Excellent stakeholder relationship skills
• Must have a valid driver’s licence.
• Frequent travel to project sites and host communities.

Competencies 

Leadership Capabilities:

• Participative Leadership 
• Planning & Organising 
• Monitoring & Measuring 

Cognitive Capabilities:

• Analysis & Attention to detail 
• Problem Solving
• Critical thinking

Interpersonal Capabilities:

• Assertive
• Methodical 
• Drive & Action Oriented
• Flexibility
• Excellence & Quality Orientation