Portfolio Head: Trading Services (5 Years Contract)

SUMMARY:
The Portfolio Head position is accountable to lead, direct and manage a team of Specialists, Senior Advisors and Advisors in an integrated portfolio, to ensure effective representation of the Local Government Sector in IGR and other fora as the voice of Local Government.

POSITION INFO:

Research and Benchmarking

• Strategically inform the company research agenda for Trading services and basic service delivery
• Provide ongoing analysis of the key challenges, needs, and trends in Basic Service Delivery (locally and internationally), to ensure that local government strategies and programmes are appropriately designed (with regards to both policy response and effective models of service delivery)
• Conduct and interpret research in Trading Services and create a learning and sharing platform to improve municipal efficiency in area of specialisation. Be a key repository of knowledge and information on local government and matters relating to the sector/ area of specialisation
• Conduct research on the best practice developments across the world utilising new and innovative technologies to improve service delivery

Represent the interests of Local Government Sector

• Provide high quality advice on the legislative and regulatory framework of local government in particular, and of the role and impact of the other spheres of government at the local level, on issues pertaining to basic service delivery
• Lead the representation of the company and municipalities at various IGR and other Fora to protect the interests of municipalities/ Sector; and to disrupt structural form, policy, or legislative frameworks in the sectors relevant to trading services, where it hinders municipal performance

Support, Advice and Capacity building of Municipalities

• Guide, support, and provide professional advice to municipalities in the areas of electricity distribution; sustainable energy; water supply and sanitation management; Waste Management; roll-out of broadband as a 5th utility
• Provide hands-on support to strengthen municipal capacity/ improve programme implementation
• Provide support towards the development and training in the respective areas of relevance
• Facilitate the implementation of the capacity building strategy and associated programmes in municipalities

Stakeholder Management and sponsorships

• Assist in development and maintenance of sound relationships with relevant stakeholder groups (including civil society organisations, locally and internationally)
• Identify and target potential donor organisations that could partner effectively with the company and develop and prepare fundraising proposals and assist in the management of local government/provincial/national government interface in relation to the sector/ area of specialisation