Advisor: Municipal Governance at South African Local Government Association

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A relevant NQF Level 7 Bachelors Degree in Local Government Law/Social Science/Public Administration/Public Policy/Development Studies /Intergovernmental Relations
• At least 3 years relevant experience of which at least 1 year has been at an equivalent level within a medium to large-sized organisation
• A Valid Driver’s License and frequent travelling
• Sector Knowledge and an understanding of the policy, legislative, governance and regulatory frameworks governing the sector; and those applying to the LG Sector

KEY PORTFOLIO AND PERFORMANCE FOCUS AREAS:

• Research and Benchmarking  Collects, categorises and tracks relevant information required for specific tasks and projects. Perform support activities to benchmarking exercises under guidance from senior and Specialists. Under leadership and guidance from Senior Advisor perform desktop research on issues related to municipal challenges within the sector/ professional discipline (Collect data, examine relevance and synthesise). Support the gathering and channelling of information to build and update municipal profiles; Provide administrative support with the arrangements of knowledge sharing / peer learning sessions/presentations to SALGA staff and external stakeholders. May include providing inputs to content and packaging of information for the sessions.
• Representation at IGR & Other For a (lobbying and Advocacy) :Attend policy conferences in topics related to area of accountability; Liaise with stakeholders in ensuring the credibility of the municipal governance and be the voice of municipalities on all governance matters; Represent municipalities at relevant forums/ meetings/ committees within the sector/ professional discipline; Support the development of reports to the working groups; Support the participation in all municipal governance related forums and processes; Support the Senior advisors to develop content on a number of complex issues relevant to a SALGA position for mandating; Understand the national and provincial governance structures of SALGA and the institutional structures of the Sector/ Professional discipline and key role players in the area of specialisation; Represent SALGA and the Municipalities at relevant external fora.
• Support Advice and capacity building  Coordinate the logistical arrangements for training programmes/ peer learning sessions in the areas of focus/ professional discipline. Guide, support and provide advice to municipalities in the implementation of the municipal governance hands-on support strategy and processes. Provide hands-on support to strengthen municipal capacity/improve programme implementation
• Programme Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting: Ensure that projects are conducted against contract specification and payments are based on agreed milestone; Implement project management methodologies and disciplines; and support the management of the full project cycle on assigned projects including Monitoring & Evaluation; Maintain records as per SALGA policy and ensure that all project records are up loaded into the company knowledge management system; Support the preparation of audit files for each project prior to audit. Support the reporting on progress against milestones; 
• Stakeholder Management :Build partnerships with relevant stakeholders to ensure programme success and to increase SALGA’s capacity to make an impact; Ensure appropriate and timely communications with all stakeholders; Support the creation of reports to communicate about the programme and provide updates for website. Within the scope of area of accountability build and maintain relevant stakeholder relationships/ partnerships in the area of responsibility;
•  Governance, Compliance and Risk Management:  Ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures; Support the identification and mitigation of organisational and operational risks identified in the area of responsibility/ professional discipline. Uphold sound corporate governance principles in the day-to-day operation of the area of responsibility/ professional discipline;
•  Teamwork : Implement the performance management and development processes in SALGA to drive high performance on an ongoing basis. In line with the SALGA organisational culture, align personal and organisational values for improved performance; Support organisational priorities and the implementation of resource mobilisation systems and processes; Support the Executive and Senior Management Team in building a high-performance culture in SALGA; Work as a multi-disciplinary and integrated team to find possible solutions to complex challenges in municipalities