Field Productivity and Panel Manager

 Objective of Role

Support company’s objectives to unlock additional value by transferring the Power Panel (panel management) to field, driving capacity in field by splitting the Field Execution Manager’s role into coastal and in-land field management as well as creating a support for the Field Finance and Risk role.  

Panel Management – the panel is pivotal to future proofing data collection ability, reaching higher LSM respondents and collecting data more cost effectively than F2F and CATI. The panel requires maintenance, respondent recruitment and top-up recruitment, automating incentives, automated QA, quick completion of projects (2-3 days) and managing the panel budget. The candidate must be experienced in managing a panel, capable in supporting the business unit in innovating online interviews and driving down data collection costs.

 Fieldwork quality – it is of utmost importance that fieldworkers deliver quality interviews. The interviewers, suppliers and panel respondents must deliver excellent quality data. Strive to have an error rate of less than 5% overall per annum.

 Fieldwork production / timelines – it is the incumbent’s responsibility to ensure all projects are completed within the agreed timeline and to continuously push the suppliers to finish faster than anticipated. There must be enough suppliers available to work on any given project and the incumbent’s duty to have capacity available during the year, especially during the peak season.

 Field presence – the candidate must be in field for the first week of a project (large field projects) or first 2 days if a smaller project. The incumbent will travel a lot and be out of the office for at least 2-3 days every second week. The incumbent will track his/her field visits, indicate who he/she visited, what the impact was, the on-the-job training provided and how he/she ensured that quality will be improved. This includes national and international travel to the various regions and suppliers.

 Field suppliers – continuously recruit, manage, and upskill existing / new suppliers. Identify, track, and retain suppliers and opportunities for growth. Suppliers and interviewers will be assessed on their performance quarterly and the incumbent should act on the output to replace suppliers that are unable to perform. Find / create teams in areas that are travelled to often to reduce travel costs.

Innovation – support the roll out of an Africa partnership strategy. Design / create new and innovative, yet scalable methodologies that can be implemented by creating a comprehensive business case for each methodology. Assist the line manager and other field managers by developing and implementing strategies that could substantially save on current COS expenses.

Finance – support the Field Finance and Risk manage on managing the field budget for project related expenses, acquiring new assets, internal budget etc. Monthly dashboard of overall project budgets indicating costs saved, cost saving opportunities going forward, reduction in costs due to negotiations. Costing projects and approving costs on Acumatica / similar system. Managing the procurement portal.

4. Key Outputs

List the main job outcomes for which this position is held accountable (not activities)

4.1

Panel attrition rate of less than 5% per month

4.2

Drive a 15% reduction in COS (with Field Finance and Risk manager)

4.3

Strengthen relationships and loyalty with suppliers (90% retention of suppliers)

4.4

Ensure that highly capable interviewers with excellent track records are used

4.5

Automate reports and reduce time spent on manual reporting by 30%

4.6

Instil a sense of trust, comfort and accuracy in Field and QA

4.7

Implementation of new systems that enable field and automate processes

5. Eligibility

Qualifications

Minimum

Diploma / Degree

Recommended

A bachelor degree in a related area such as business or economics, logistics, supply chain management or purchasing

Research Experience (years)

Minimum

5

Recommended

8

6. Job requirements

(list those requirements deemed necessary to effectively perform in this position)

Drivers license:

Code 8 and own transport

Travel:

Yes

Working conditions:

Office bound 80% of the time

Overtime:

As and when required

Attributes:

Able to work under pressure

Driven and solution orientated

Strong problem solving and reporting skills

Gregarious & tenacious

Able to setup and automate services

Panel experience is critical