Chief Heritage Officer at Robben Island Museum (RIM)

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction on the development and implementation of an integrated Heritage Cluster strategy for Heritage & Research; Public Heritage Education (PHED), Conservation and Collections 
• Translate RIM’s overall strategy into programmes, initiatives, and projects and ensuring that projects are appropriately selected, prioritised in accordance with the requirements of a World Heritage Site 
• Oversee the development and implementation of the Integrated Conservation Management Plan (ICMP) 
• Enhance the internal processes and infrastructure that will enable the smooth running of Heritage, Collections Education & Public Programmes, and Conservation 
• Align functional practices with the organisation’s strategy, annual plans, statutory, including but not limited to the PFMA, South African labour legislation and Heritage regulations 
• Advise the RIM Council, Regulatory Committees, Executives and Management teams, on new legislative developments 
• Ensure development and continuous improvement of processes, policies and compliance frameworks for functions in the Operations Cluster 
• Provide enabling mechanisms for a seamless end-to-end value chain management to sustain functional effectiveness, including legal and financial risk management 
• Ensure implementation of the performance management system within the cluster, evaluating and monitoring system application to give feedback to Human Capital for continuous process improvement 
• Ensure sound labour relations and legislation compliance within own cluster 
• Oversee application of principles of good governance and legislative compliance 
• Lead strategic innovation through benchmarking, research and trend analysis 
• Ensure effective communications and stakeholder engagement to sustain RIM’s positive reputation 
• Develop functional risk management framework and ensure that controls are implemented at all levels 
• Oversee budgeting and reporting processes of functions within Heritage Cluster 
• Ensure that cluster performance metrics and targets are met and reported on 
• Provide mentoring and support to direct reports and their team members 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Master’s degree in heritage/museum studies, history/social sciences, education, environmental studies (NQF 9) or a related discipline 
• Business Management qualification will be an added advantage 

Work Experience: 

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years relevant experience of which at least seven (7) years must be at senior management level 
• Must have experience working in Heritage, Research, Education and Conservation environment 
• Knowledge and understanding of national heritage legislation and international museum organisations 
• Knowledge of UNESCO’s World Heritage Conventions 
• Knowledge of the Heritage Tourism Sector 
• Knowledge and application of all applicable legislation and regulations (including but not limited to the PFMA, South African Labour, Heritage standards); 
• Proven track record of developing and implementing strategies to align to organisation’s goals 
• Proven track record in research, benchmarking and report writing 
• Proven leadership and governance skills 
• Ability to build rapport and establish trust with staff and key stakeholders 
• Experience in operating effectively within highly unionised environments 

Required Skills, Competencies and Attributes: 

• Strategic planning and policy development skills 
• People management skills 
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills 
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written) 
• Negotiation and persuasion skills 
• Data and trend Analytics 
• Financial Management skills 
• Governance leadership 
• Program and Project Management skills 
• Abstract reasoning skills 
• Managing conflict 
• Emotional Intelligence