Executive Director: Infrastructure and Technology at University of Fort Hare

Minimum Requirements: 

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in a related technical field e.g., Built Environment (either Civil or Structural Engineering), ICT, recognized Project Management Certification.
• A Doctoral degree may be an added advantage.
• At least one affiliation with a Professional body such as: Engineering Council of SA (ECSA), South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), Project Management Institute SA (PMI), Project Management Professional or other ICT related professional body.
• A minimum of 12 years’ experience with 10 years’ proven record in the Built Environment and/or Digital Technologies and 5 years’ experience at senior/general/executive management level.
• Project Management experience.

Reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor, you will:

• Possess sound knowledge of the following ICT strategies: 4IR technologies; ERP systems; Sustainability Management and Project Management principles.
• Provide senior strategic leadership and implementation of both physical and digital infrastructure, information and communication technologies.
• Ensure the governance of the built environment, grounds and boundaries, conservation areas and heritage sites linked to the governance of cost effective and efficient maintenance strategies for living and learning.
• Monitor the delivery of ICT value propositions on an ongoing basis and propose corrective actions for cost effective, efficient and sustainable alignment with institutional goals and strategies.
• Monitor overall fit-for-purpose ICT service provision for the institution. 

Key Performance Areas:

KPA 1: Govern & Direct the Infrastructure & Technology Executive Portfolio

• Play a key role in shaping the overall strategic direction of the institution.
• Govern the implementation of policies and strategies agreed by Council / Senate.
• Promote the institution’s reputational profile through networks and partnerships.
• Provide oversight, leadership and guidance to units under the area of responsibility.
• Play a key role in executive/governance committees.
• Direct leadership resources as per structure.
• Monitor the achievement of the unit’s strategic plan.

 KPA 2: Institutional ICT Strategic Planning             

• Formulate and review the ICT strategy in alignment with UFH’s strategic plan.
• Approve implementation of structures, resources and systems.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders in strategy design.
• Conduct regular strategic alignment reviews.
• Provide regular feedback to senior stakeholders on implementation of the plan.

 KPA 3: Strategic Financial Business Planning & Budgeting

• Conduct long-term financial projections & planning.
• Allocate & re-allocate funds and resources based on portfolio need and requirements.
• Approve financial strategies in conjunction with senior stakeholders.
• Obtain approval for annual budgets from governance committees.
• Exercise prudent budgetary control.
• Approve large payments, asset procurement and services.
• Monitor cash flow management.
• Report on financial and budgetary objectives/plans.

 KPA 4: Organisational Leadership Management

• Plan leadership talent, succession and development based on strategy.
• Direct preventative and mitigation strategies for anticipated talent risks.
• Recruit, select and appoint a leadership team based on the approved Resource Plan.
• Build and direct the leadership team in portfolio structure.
• Manage performance aligned with the Performance Management System.
• Direct talent competence, skills and performance levels aligned with the strategy.
• Submit the succession and development plan progress reports to senior leadership.

 KPA 5: Strategic Relationship Development

• Participate in key institutional policy and decision-making bodies.
• Engage with industry/government stakeholders aligned with business area.
• Participate in related industry forums.

 KPA 6: Institutional Properties and Services Governance

• Accountable for plans and strategies for the institution’s physical infrastructure.
• Accountable for the build environment (buildings, residences, grounds and boundaries) and related projects.
• Govern service levels of maintenance.
• Accountable for the institution’s regulatory and safety compliance to Occupational Health & Safety Act and related compliance requirements.
• Conceptualise physical infrastructure project roll-out through strong stakeholder and user engagement.
• Develop partnerships for generation of new infrastructure through external stakeholder engagement and resource mobilisation.
• Accountable for high value infrastructure project implementation.
• Monitor and track performance and compliance of infrastructure regulatory and policy requirements.
• Accountable for resources management and long-term institutional sustainability strategies i.e. financial & environmental.
• Present related reports to the Executive and Governance Committee of the institution for decision making.

KPA 7: Institutional ICT Governance

• Conceptualise and direct the ICT and digital transformation.
• Remain abreast of ICT related legislation, developments and best practices.
• Govern and approve ICT and digital transformation plans, resources and budgets.
• Be accountable for institutional ICT and digital transformation strategy and programme implementation.
• Be accountable for large scale ICT and digital transformation procurement requirements and processes.
• Govern strategic ICT and digital transformation stakeholder engagement management.
• Govern compliance to cyber security and regulatory requirements.
• Promote the adoption of emerging technologies to enhance operational efficiencies.
• Be accountable for implementation of ICT continuity & redundancy strategies.
• Monitor & evaluate the impact of ICT & digital transformation initiatives & programmes.
• Present related reports to the Executive & Governance Committee of the institution for decision making.