Innovation Champions for Local Economic Development at Sol Plaatje University

Minimum Requirements 

• The minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Sciences, Local Economic Development, Development Studies, Public Administration, Economics, Rural Development, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Studies, Agribusiness Management, other fields of Agriculture, Business Studies, or any other relevant qualifications. Applicants with completed Diplomas (360 credits) in similar disciplines from TVET colleagues will be considered. Preference will be given to applicants from the Namakwa District (for the Innovation Champions to be placed at the respective municipalities).
• 12 months of relevant work experience is a minimum requirement for TVET college graduates.
• 12 months' work experience (including internships) will be an added advantage.

Recommendation 

• Preference will be given to local candidates for the Innovation Champion positions at District and Local Municipalities.
• Candidates with proficiency in Afrikaans will be preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

Stakeholder relations building and management

• Developing viable relationships between host municipalities/SPU and diverse institutions in the National System of Innovation; and
• Liaising regularly with peers, municipal personnel, university staff, various communities (citizens, businesses, traditional authorities, civil society, etc), students on project matters, and other stakeholders.

Innovation mapping and promotion

• Providing support to municipalities in mapping local innovation landscapes as part of socioeconomic profiling of the areas.
• Introducing/deploying innovation mapping tools to municipalities for innovation-driven LED work; and
• Identifying and linking municipalities and SPU with expertise and potential funding sources within the National System of Innovation for innovation activities and initiatives that will be implemented in the Municipalities

Project management and coordination

• Coordinating the project, in collaboration with the secretariat.
• Writing regular reports and maintaining up-to-date records; and
• Conducting project monitoring, as required.