Specialist: Innovation - Centurion at Telkom

Core Description

Responsible for driving creativity, fostering a culture of innovation, and implementing groundbreaking solutions within the organization. The primary focus will be on identifying opportunities for innovation, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and implementing strategies to enhance the organization's competitive edge. This requires a blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and practical implementation skills to bring innovative ideas to fruition.

Job Responsibilities

Research leadership 

• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in innovation.
• Conduct market research to identify opportunities for innovation and potential areas of disruption.
• Collaborate with teams across the organization to gather insights and identify areas for improvement.
• Analyse with a view to turning data into actionable insights.
• Conduct in-depth research on relevant industry trends, emerging technologies, and market opportunities.
• Drive the strategic research agenda to guide the organization's innovation efforts.
• Create comprehensive research reports that provide actionable insights to drive business decisions.

Innovation Operations

• Lead the planning and execution of innovation initiatives, including idea generation, project management, and implementation.
• Foster a culture of innovation within the organization by promoting creative thinking and problem-solving.
• Work with senior leadership to integrate innovation into the company's long-term business plans.
• Ensure the effective operation of innovation processes and tools.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with various business units to understand their needs and align innovation efforts with the company's strategic goals.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams to drive innovation projects and initiatives forward.
• Maintain strong communication channels to ensure alignment with key stakeholders.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to build strong innovation networks.
• Cultivate a culture that encourages and rewards creative thinking and problem-solving.

Project Management

• Manage multiple innovation projects and lifecycle, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and meeting predefined objectives.
• Employ project management best practices to keep projects on track and effectively allocate resources.
• Develop project plans, set milestones, and track progress against objectives.

Core Competencies

KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS

• Agile project and program management; Project budgeting and accounting; Event planning and delivery; Technical writing and presentations; Understanding technology and innovation trends and strategy; Relationship and contract management; Multi-disciplinary collaboration; Research acumen; Methodical and data-driven decision making; Tactical interpersonal skills; Analytical reasoning; Clear    articulation and enforcement of programme governance

COMPETENCIES (BEHAVIOUR)

• Strategic thinking; Public speaking; Thought Leadership; Creativity and adaptability; Market Leadership; People Leadership; Personal Leadership aligned with CHART values; Growth mindset; Curiosity to learn new and evolving technologies; Critical thinking and problem solving; Ability to mentor; Ability to translate between research and business; Time management and prioritization; Adaptability

Education

• NQF 7: 3 year Degree

Experience

• 5 Years relevant experience

Additional Information

Qualification and Experience:

• Qualification in a relevant field such as engineering, computer science, mathematical sciences (preferred), or in an adjacent field such as business administration.
• A postgraduate degree and/or research experience is preferrable.
• 5 Years relevant experience - technical experience or demonstrable working knowledge in innovation management and technology integration in a technical environment.
• Experience working in an academic or research environment would be an added advantage.

Special Requirements:

• Adept at staying updated with industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to work on complex business challenges.
• In-depth knowledge and experience with design thinking methodologies and tools.
• Ability to apply design thinking and innovation principles to drive innovation and solve problems creatively.