Manager: Stakeholder Relations at South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

Purpose Statement

• To implement and manage the overall corporate strategy, processes and business plan for the Stakeholder Relations unit, including good governance, stakeholder engagement and fairness in stakeholder development frameworks and protocols that are in line with the overarching strategy and plan for the division. 

Minimum Requirements       

• Diploma + Advanced Diploma / B-Degree in Stakeholder Relations, International Relations, International Studies or a related field (NQF Level 7)
• 10 years relevant work experience in Stakeholder Relations
• 3 years management experience

Duties and Responsibilities   
Operational Management

• Contribute towards the development of a strategy for the Stakeholder Relations department and alignment of this strategy to the plan for the division overall.
• Develop a Centre of Excellence to balance technical know-how with customer/stakeholder requirements.
• Ensure productivity is measured effectively against set objectives.
• Ensure that Stakeholder Relations achieve set objectives and that corrective actions are taken where the operational objectives are not achieved.
• Put measures into place to improve productivity.
• Develop and execute the Stakeholder Relations Operational Plan to meet capacity and requirements.
• Manage and ensure the timeous delivery of required reports.

Functional Management

• Review and monitor plans for all projects, programmes and specific portfolios in consultation with relevant stakeholders and ensure that they are delivered within the agreed parameters and time frames.
• Provide relevant input on stakeholder relations in the corporate plan and relevant Board Sub-Committees.
• Coordinate and manage projects, programmes and specific portfolios which relate to Stakeholder Relations including the resolution of stakeholder queries and challenges in a timely manner.
• Identify improvement opportunities and ensure the continuous improvement of processes and procedures to support business optimization.
• Develop and strengthen formalised multi-stakeholder collaborative regional, national and international networks.
• Secure strategic stakeholder partnerships for the purpose of sustainability.
• Seek and coordinate network opportunities to support the organisational stakeholder strategy.
• Liaise with all spheres of government, business, tertiary institutions, and internal partners in building the SABS brand.

Risk and Compliance Management 

• Ensure the mitigation of risk through the identification and application of fraud controls and risk prevention principles and implementation of sound governance and compliance processes and tools to identify and manage risks.
• Responsible for the coordination and maintenance of quality risk management in line with regulatory requirements.
• Support and provide evidence to all internal and external audit and Accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Drive the implementation of compliance with policies aimed at strengthening the SABS brand and stakeholder interface.
• Oversee the maintenance and enforcement of related Service Level Agreements to minimise business risk and ensure business continuity.
• Monitor changes in legislation and the regulatory environment and ensure that appropriate operational controls are implemented to address new requirements.
• Ensure adherence in the team to all, policies and Standard Operating Procedures throughout the span of control.

Financial Management 

• Provide input in the planning and compilation of the annual budget aligned to the tactical delivery plans to support the implementation of set objectives.
• Ensure the effective implementation, management, monitoring of the budget, and mitigate and report on any variances.
• Ensure the deployment of proper financial controls to manage the budget.

People Management 

• Proactively manage all direct reports in order to ensure that the strategic objectives for the division is met.
• Maintain excellent human capital performance through employee empowerment, skills development and retention and succession planning within the team.
• Maintain an environment where employees respect and adhere to company standards of integrity and ethics by integrating these values into all processes, procedures and practices.
• Manage and lead Stakeholder Relations by providing clarity of vision; prioritising resources; facilitating alignment of the team; managing non-performance, driving a customer-centric performance culture, setting appropriate KPA’s and ensure the cascading thereof throughout Stakeholder Relations and driving their achievement; inspiring commitment; encouraging mutual support; and enabling development opportunities
• Implement a learning culture within scope of control.
• Drive performance management in line with the SABS policy within the team, and address performance challenges and develop subordinates to meet the expected performance standards.
• Be the change champion for all Stakeholder Relations-wide change, culture and diversity projects and programmes

Stakeholder Management

• Liaise between SABS and any relevant regulatory bodies.
• Identify and mitigate internal systems and procedural barriers to enhance excellent customer service.
• Build and maintain effective internal and external stakeholder relationships for the purpose of expectations management, knowledge sharing and integration, and to manage the organisation’s reputation.
• Represent and participate in the organisation’s committees and tasks teams when required.
• Convene and attend meetings and present performance and business related information to relevant stakeholders when required.
• Manage and resolve operational complaints through timeous resolution and/or escalation as required
• Provide technical support and advocacy on Stakeholder Relations related matters to the organisation
• Provide support for disputes and appeals when required.