Programme Manager: Living Labs (Two Years Fixed Term Contract) - Readvertisement at Technology Innovation Agency

Purpose of the Position:

• To holistically manage the Living Labs Portfolio in support of existing and future living labs to advance innovation-driven LED.
• To manage and growth a diverse stakeholder-base in the LED space around the living labs agenda.
• To grow the financial base of the portfolio.

Minimum Requirements    
Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) - Four (4) year Bachelor’s degree in any of the following qualifications:
• Local Economic Development
• Development Studies
• Public Administration
• Economics
• Commerce
• Science
• Engineering
• Plus, a diploma or certificate in Project Management
• A postgraduate qualification in the following will be an added advantage:
• Innovation Studies.
• Local Economic Development, Development Studies, Economics and Public administration.

Minimum Experience

• Three (3) years’ project management experience within innovation environment.
• Experience with working with marginalised communities and local government.
• Managing diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Experience with financial management in a project management setting.
• Experience with oversight of implementing agents.

Knowledge and Skills

• Project management
• Stakeholder management
• Financial management
• Local Economic Development and/or local government
• Proposal development for fundraising
• People management

Duties and Responsibilities    
Financial Perspective

• Ensure that project budgets and financial resources are effectively and efficiently managed and there is value for money for all project activities.
• Assist the head to develop programme budgets and forecasts for approving bodies.
• Monitor and track performance against budget (operations and projects).
• Manage timeous disbursement of funding to ensure optimal operation of projects.
• New funding opportunities/partners are identified and leveraged for project sustainability post the DSTI funding/development of fund-raising proposals.

Stakeholder Management

• Ensure that stakeholders derive effective value and enjoy a high level of satisfaction with TIA’s services
• Maintain an up-to-date database of stakeholders linked to funded projects
• Develop and implement an effective project stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Promote the outputs of the portfolio, ensuring that projects successes are effectively communicated and marketed.
• Document project benefits, benefit profiles and report on benefits derived. Present successful case studies to key Bodies e.g. Parliamentary Portfolio Committee.
• Provide subject matter expertise in relevant events, meetings, workshops and conferences by availing skill, competency and expertise.
• Host the Community of Practice for all Living Labs in South Africa.

Internal Processes

• Put in place key business processes, governance systems and tools to ensure efficient project and programme management in line with the approved frameworks.
• Develop and implement appropriate project and programme management business processes for effective management of IID projects.
• Ensure that effective assurance and verification activities are undertaken in conjunction with the DSTI.
• Ongoing and timeous project monitoring, including through physical visits.
• Develop and manage all risks that may affect successful delivery of projects
• Ensure that implementing entities manage projects effectively leading to successful delivery of projects and attainment of project objectives.
• Ensure timeous and accurate reporting on project progress as per requirements.
• Ensure all projects are properly planned, correctly initiated, documented and project templates are established and appropriately utilized.
• Provide support, guidance and assistance to projects to achieve their milestones and intended results.
• Pro-active identification of project risks and management of such risks together with project teams to ensure successful delivery;
• Perform technical due diligence of projects.
• Ensure that all aspects of the project life cycle from initiation to exit are efficiently managed, i.e. project closure.
• Perform client-centric and value adding project management of projects.
• Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration.
• Provides background information to support the planning and management of projects.
• Participate in the formulation of project meetings and relevant project activities to support implementation.
• Ensure all projects perform on time and are within budget and deliver value and quality products.
• Ensure all project contract amendments and changes are properly managed and documented.
• Ensure that implementing entities manage projects effectively leading to successful delivery of projects and attainment of project objectives

Learning & Growth

• Implement operation improvement initiatives to sustain the programme’s responsiveness to constantly changing needs of the program and its stakeholders.
• Identify operational deficiencies and implement corrective actions timeously.
• Design and update necessary systems and processes to ensure that the programme remains responsive to the demands, needs and objectives of the project sponsor (DSTI)

Deadline:27th August,2025