Chief Operations Officer (E5) at merSETA

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The ideal candidate should demonstrate the ability to fulfill the following key responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership & Operational Performance 

• Aligning operational strategies with merSETA’s objectives and the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP). 
• Ensuring achievement of performance targets in line with the Service Level Agreement with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). 

Governance & Compliance 

• Overseeing adherence to the PFMA, Treasury Regulations, and other legislative frameworks. 
• Driving corporate governance practices across operational activities. 

Stakeholder Management 

• Building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including levy-paying and non-levy-paying companies. 
• Representing merSETA at strategic forums to promote its objectives.  

Programme & Project Oversight 

• Monitoring the implementation of key programmes and projects at national and provincial levels. 
• Ensuring alignment between regional operations, strategy, and finance. 

Team Leadership & Development 

• Leading and inspiring a high-performing team across operational areas. 
• Driving a culture of continuous improvement and skills transfer.  

Financial Management 

• Managing the Operations budget in compliance with the PFMA and Treasury Regulations. 
• Ensuring robust systems to mitigate irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure. 

Risk & Innovation 

• Identifying and mitigating risks to operational performance. 
• Driving innovation and continuous improvement for enhanced service delivery. 

Knowledge Management & Communication 

• Promoting knowledge-sharing and organizational learning. 
• Maintaining effective communication with stakeholders and staff. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

The ideal candidate must meet the following requirements: 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Honours/Postgraduate qualification or equivalent NQF Level 8 qualification in Business Management, Finance, Administration, Law, Leadership, Social Sciences, Research, or a relevant field. 

Advantageous Qualifications 

• Master’s degree or equivalent qualification at NQF Level 9 in a relevant field. 

Minimum Experience 

• 10 years of Management experience in an operations or strategic support role within the public sector, of which 5 years must have been at a Senior Management level. 
• Proven leadership, strategy development, and stakeholder relationship management experience. 
• Proven track record of leadership and successful project implementation. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience leveraging data to inform decision-making. 
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels. 
• Experience managing and developing high-performing teams. 

Advantageous Experience 

• Direct exposure to the SETA landscape, including its regulatory framework, operational processes, and sector-specific challenges. 
• Knowledge of all SETA business portfolios and cross-functional awareness.