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Enterprise, and Supplier Development Program

Role Title: Hub Manager

Reports to: Program Director

Grade: 9

Location: Far Eastern Limb (Limpopo)

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 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 specialists assisting farmers and other entrepreneurs in 30 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 2020, TechnoServe interventions benefitted 298,000 people and businesses, generating more than $188M in increased revenue and wages. Each of our interventions increases the impact on women, who represented 39% of our beneficiaries globally in 2020. 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 556 beneficiaries in 2020 to gain financial benefits of $17,1M (R250M) and we mobilized finance of $993k (R14,5M). A large proportion of the beneficiaries were SMMEs and 40% percent were women or women-led businesses.

Program Background

TechnoServe has been competitively selected by a large South African corporate partner to deliver an Enterprise, and Supplier Development program in South Africa. The initiative offers the opportunity to deliver transformative economic change in South Africa by supporting local enterprises to grow their businesses to the next level. The initiative will look to drive broader development across the mining, tourism, and retail sectors to support local economic development. Four years into the partnership we have supported 10,500 jobs across South Africa and in the extension of our partnership we are looking to support a further 7,000 jobs. This is a global flagship initiative in proving the impact of shared value initiatives: namely how businesses can make investments that both deliver value to shareholders and deliver meaningful impact to individuals and communities in their areas of operation.

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

The hub operates in and around Far Eastern Limb. TechnoServe employs a team of around 10 staff to operate each hub. Each hub delivers business acceleration services (training, mentorship, business development, access to finance, linkages to market opportunities, etc.) to eligible entrepreneurs through two program pillars – Enterprise, and Supplier Development.

TechnoServe has recruited a high-caliber team per hub to deliver the program. We are seeking qualified candidates for the Hub Team Manager role. The Hub Team Manager will manage a team of approx. 10 staff at the across 3 sites in Far Eastern Limb, assuming overall responsibility for Hub operations and meeting hub targets. S/he will provide strategic leadership and oversight to the internal team, and be responsible for managing the relationship with the Corporate partner’s team locally. S/he will also be responsible for engaging other external stakeholders including the financial sector, other development organizations and partners, and local Government and authorities.

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, Enterprise Development.

Meeting hub-level targets agreed with the TechnoServe Program Director [Key KPI: 5450 jobs supported by June 2025]

Provide oversight to ensuring demand pipeline is matched to local suppliers prior to launch of a wave

Team management

• Managing and developing a 10-person team

• Direct supervision of approximately 4 Business Advisors and 3 Administrator and 3 receptionists.
• Performance management of direct reports

Perform regular staff performance check ins and use them to inform professional development plans. Key KPI: weekly meetings with each direct report, weekly staff meetings and bi-annual performance review meetings

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 SD program
• Primary responsibility for engaging with a financial partner on the performance of entrepreneurs from 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

Primary responsibility for leading working committee meetings with FEL stakeholders. Key KPI: One working committee meeting conducted per quarter

Primary responsibility for engaging with social performance to participate in community forums. (Key KPI: attend 1 community/business forum per month and report key issues to Program Director)

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

Primary responsibility for developing and managing FEL hub budget. Key KPI: maintain <10% variance

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

Meeting quarterly compliance targets with Program Director. Key KPI: quarterly check of BMS system to ensure compliance documents are up to date

Performing other duties that are assigned from time to time by the supervisor

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced degree in business administration, economics, marketing, development or related discipline
• At least 5-10 years of post-graduate experience within the private sector and/or development spheres, including managerial position/s
• Experience working in SME development
• Previous exposure to Supplier Development work within mining sector or other sectors strongly preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (in English and local languages)
• Strong organizational and managerial skills
• Knowledge of the South Africa 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

Responsibilities, requirements, and application deadline for each role can be found at www.TechnoServe.org.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested applicants should submit a single Word-formatted document consisting of cover letter, resume and salary history to [email protected]. Please identify the position and hub(s) for which you are applying in the subject line. You may apply for more than one role and/or a role at more than one hub. Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be considered or contacted. Applications will be considered as received. No phone calls please.