Head: Technical Skills Development Centre - Corporate Services: Human Capital Solutions at Coega

The primary responsibilities and obligations are as follows:

Strategic

• Determine and provide strategic direction and growth of the SDC in line with the CDC’s sustainability strategy and implement annual operational plans and budgets;
• Leverage SDC and CDC resources to achieve strategic objectives of the  SDC, including revenue generation, quality training, learner retention and the number of people trained to ensure continued sustainability;
• Maintain specialist professional knowledge and expertise in the South African skills development landscape, demonstrating proficiency is successfully guiding and influencing strategic skills development outcomes;
• Research and understand training and development trends, both locally and internationally, for the purposes of benchmarking the  operation of the  SDC;

Operational

• Extend and maintain the SDC's accreditation with the applicable ETQA bodies;
• Design, develop and improve focused performance frameworks and talent development;
• Establish and maintain systems of collecting performance data, analysis, interpretation and communicating thereof;
• Build consensus and drive consistency throughout the SDC towards achievement of best value quality output and performance management;
• Provide timely updates of the performance of the SDC to the CDC;
• Evaluate various training performance metrics, including execution rates, sales performance, labour hours and operational costs and make adjustments as necessary;
• Collate information in monitoring the business performance against industry  indicators, and implement actions in response to non-compliance;
• Direct preparation and maintenance of the business plans and budget, monitor performance and take early remedial action where necessary;
• Effectively mentor and coach staff throughout the SDC to increase effectiveness, quality people development, teamwork and accountability;
• Ensure value is derived from operating procedures, space and equipment utilisation and quality of training by conducting routine site visits (walk about);
• Develop, implement and maintain training policies and procedures, and enhance them from time-to-time to ensure that they remain fully relevant and reflect evolving best skills development practice;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive risk management strategy;
• Develop and implement a communication strategy;
• Develop and implement a marketing strategy;
• Oversee the upkeep of training facilities and equipment, including scheduled preventative maintenance and the effective stock control of consumable materials;
• Manage feedback processes from the SDC’s learners to ensure a learner-centred approach and to maintain discipline and high quality standards and learner satisfaction;
• Drive health and safety compliance of the SDC;
• Drive knowledge management processes;
• Manage continuous evaluation and review of learning materials;
• Monitor and control timely procurement processes.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Management

• Partner with strategic private and public entities throughout the training    fraternity to drive strategic initiatives, programmes and services to enable the SDC to deliver on its mandate;
• Engage relevant and senior management within key client and partner establishments to develop appropriate training programmes;
• Participate in formations/collaborations that relate to training to provide the CDC perspective/inputs and influence key decisions;
• Develop and nurture alliances with leadership from other training stablishments to share knowledge, experiences and lessons learned and partner in key initiatives.

General

• Participate on CDC management structures as and when required;
• Participate in CDC planning and review sessions;
• Represent CDC on external structures/platforms as and when required.

COMPETENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS

• A Degree/ NQF 7 qualification in  Human Resources Management, Human Resources Development, related studies or equivalent;
• Further tertiary education in Business Management, preferable MBA will be an added advantage;
• At least 10 years’ experience in facilitating training and development;
• At least 5 years’ experience managing relevant projects and/or programmes at senior level, or private business;
• Innovative thinker with keen business acumen;
• Demonstrable ability to work with diverse groups of stakeholders and develop consensus and a positive team environment;
• Flexibility and adaptability to adjust to contextual challenges and needs;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, an analytical approach and ability to clearly articulate difficult concepts to diverse audiences;
• Fluency in English (verbal and writing);
• A thorough understanding of the South African training and development landscape, including associated pieces of legislation and international trends;
• A thorough understanding of the South African Human Resources Development Strategy;
• Self-driven, results-oriented with a positive outlook and a clear focus on high quality of provision and business profitability;
• A natural forward planner who critically assesses own performance;
• Mature, credible and comfortable in dealing with senior management;
• Reliable, tolerant and determined;
• Empathic communicator, able to see things from the other person’s point of view and well-presented and business-like;
• Sufficiently mobile and flexible to travel up to a few days a month;
• Keen for new experience, responsibility and accountability; 
• Able to get on with others and be a team player.