Lead Specialist: Innovation at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Job Description

The purpose of this role is to lead the formalisation of the DBSA Innovation Strategy by designing appropriate structure, processes and systems, through an intentional collaboration effort, to ensure overall effectiveness of the Innovation Programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formalisation of the DBSA Innovation Strategy by :
• Refining and articulating the Innovation Programme’s strategic goals
• Creating the Innovation Programme’s business plan, in collaboration with Divisions, including the strategic and operational targets and measures.
• Design and propose the operating structure of the Innovation Programme, with clear deliverables (outputs) and measurements for specified roles.
• Design and propose the appropriate processes (functional, monitoring and evaluation) to ensure operational and strategic effectiveness of the DBSA Innovation Programme.
• Prepare documentation for EXCO and Board(s) input and approval
• Research and set up institutional interfaces to ensure the effectiveness of the Innovation Business Model.
• Research and provide thought leadership on innovation related procurement.
• Build strategic relationships in the organisation and with key stakeholders to position the DBSA Innovation Programme.
• Provide and facilitate a change management framework and implementation plan that will drive and support the adoption of Innovation as a way of life (Culture) within DBSA.
• Research and facilitate the development of appropriate templates and tools required for the Programme.
• Lead the communication and socialisation of the DBSA Innovation Strategy across all levels of the organisation and all relevant stakeholders, in collaboration with Group Executive Risk.

Key Performance Indicators

• Formal approval by GE Risk and /or EXCO, Board where required of the following:
• DBSA Innovation Strategy (including Innovation goals and measures).
• Designed and approved processes as agreed
• Innovation Structure and related job descriptions.
• Implementable Change Management Framework and train the trainer material.
• DBSA Innovation implementation plan.
• Handover / Close out report

Expertise & Technical Competencies

• Relevant post graduate qualification.
• Financial Modelling knowledge and application experience.
• Research skills
• +10 years demonstrable experience in Strategic Planning and Management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the complex financial and regulatory environments across Africa.
• In depth knowledge and understanding of financial markets and the macro landscape.
• Consulting expertise at a senior to executive level.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing an Innovation programme or a similar programme, preferably in a DFI or Banking environment.

Required Personal Attributes

The incumbent should have demonstrated the following competencies:

• Strong abilities in relationship management, teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• The ability to communicate and persuade at all management levels and thrive in a cross-functional environment.
• Ability to design, develop and implement strategy and related processes.
• Understanding of Financial Markets.
• Strategic thinking and planning (Big picture view)
• Capability to identify market opportunities that support infrastructure financing and development.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills as well as effective presentation skills and with the ability to express complex concepts in business terms.
• The ability to identify complex problems and to review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• The ability to integrate knowledge building with knowledge sharing and knowledge application throughout the incumbents professional duties
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent Analytical and Problem solving skills
• The ability to build strong partnerships with external and internal stakeholders and leverage strategic partnerships

DBSA VALUES

• High Performance (accountability, efficiency bias to action, can-do attitude, people development,
• Consciously develops talent and successors to build critical skill sets for sustainability of the business.
• Takes full responsibility for own decisions and/or actions
• Recognises and rewards good performance and actively manages poor performance
• Creates a feeling of energy, excitement and willingness in all engagements to achieve results
• Recognises investment opportunities.
• Shared Vision (purpose, sustainable, long-term perspective, alignment, mandate, financial sustainability)
• Understands and compellingly sells the DBSA vision and strategy in a way that spurs action
• Passionately sells the Bank’s vision
• Makes decisions and acts in ways that contribute towards the financial viability and sustainability of the unit/division/DBSA.
• Integrity (ethics, leading by example, respect)
• Champions organisational decisions and values in a credible way
• Creates an enabling environment that encourages and tolerates diversity
• Maintains focus and constructive interpersonal relationships in all interactions
• Demonstrates qualities that commence leadership respect.
• Innovation (Continuous improvement collaboration)
• Challenges assumptions and “the way we’ve always done it” by taking the lead in removing barriers and obstacles
• Identifies and acts on opportunities
• Champions and allocates appropriate resources to support innovative ideas and initiatives
• Drives continuous improvements in all processes and products e.g. reduces steps in a work process that results in time and cost savings.
• Service Delivery (internal and external stakeholder relations, customer centric, stakeholder management)
• Actively manages the learning and development of staff to develop competencies that deliver value to stakeholders
• Drives timeous delivery on commitments
• Establishes mechanisms for ongoing stakeholder engagement both internally and externally
• Develops networks and relationships which create opportunities for the DBSA.