Careers at Technology Innovation Agency

Job Purpose:

• To develop, manage, and support a portfolio of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) innovation projects and investments across the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Business Readiness Levels (BRLs), and Market Readiness Levels (MRLs), with the objective of accelerating successful commercialisation and maximising socio-economic impact.

Minimum Requirements    
Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• A business-related qualification will be advantageous.
• A Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline will be an added advantage.

Experience

• Three (3)– five (5) years’ experience within an ICT research, development, and innovation environment.
• Three (3) - Five (5) years’ experience in the management, commercialisation, or investment of ICT innovations and technologies.

Knowledge and Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of technology development, innovation management, and investment trends within the ICT sector.
• Knowledge of innovation funding mechanisms and support systems for emerging technologies.
• Understanding of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and public sector governance requirements.
• Knowledge of technology commercialisation, venture development, and innovation ecosystems.

Behavioural Competencies

• Client and stakeholder focus
• Innovation and continuous improvement
• Strategic and analytical thinking

Duties and Responsibilities    
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Management and Revenue Growth

• Support the Head of Division in the development of annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans for Executive Committee (EXCO) and Board approval.
• Monitor and track operational and project expenditure against approved budgets.
• Manage and oversee the timely disbursement of funding to ensure optimal execution of innovation projects.
• Identify new funding opportunities and facilitate the attraction of co-investment and third-party funding.
• Monitor and manage repayment obligations relating to equity, royalties, loans, and other investment instruments.

Stakeholder Management and Thought Leadership

• Contribute to the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies within the Strategic Technology Area (STA).
• Build and maintain strong relationships across the innovation ecosystem, including industry, academia, government, investors, and strategic partners.
• Represent TIA at conferences, workshops, industry forums, and stakeholder engagements by sharing expertise and contributing to thought leadership.
• Influence and contribute positively to the National System of Innovation (NSI) through strategic participation and expert input.

Governance, Compliance, and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all applicable TIA policies, frameworks, governance requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Promote adherence to organisational systems, processes, and controls.
• Ensure audit findings and portfolio-related compliance matters are addressed within agreed timelines.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date project information on the fund management and reporting systems.
• Prepare and submit timely, accurate, and high-quality reports in line with organisational requirements.

Innovation Funding and Pre-Commercialisation Support

• Support innovators and applicants in developing investment-ready and fundable opportunities.
• Assess investment opportunities and provide recommendations on funding decisions.
• Provide project management and technical support to funded projects to ensure achievement of agreed milestones and outcomes.
• Conduct technical and commercial due diligence on projects, programmes, and investment opportunities.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks while leveraging opportunities to optimise portfolio performance.
• Manage the full project lifecycle, from sourcing and evaluation to investment, monitoring, commercialisation, and exit.
• Facilitate the commercialisation of TIA-funded technologies and innovations.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of high-potential investment opportunities within strategic ICT technology domains.
• Deliver client-centric, value-adding portfolio and project management services.
• Drive continuous improvement of processes, systems, and portfolio management practices.

Learning and Growth

• Ensure clear understanding and achievement of agreed Key Performance Areas (KPAs) and performance targets.
• Monitor and evaluate performance against established standards and objectives.
• Demonstrate and promote TIA’s values and organisational culture.
• Identify and pursue professional development opportunities to enhance individual effectiveness and organisational performance.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and excellence.

Deadline:6th August,2026

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Purpose of the Position: 

• The Senior Manager: South African Innovation Week (SAIW) will be responsible for the end-to-end planning, coordination, mobilisation, implementation, and post-event reporting of South Africa's flagship innovation ecosystem event, the South African Innovation Week (SAIW). The incumbent will lead the development and execution of a national innovation platform that convenes government, industry, academia, investors, entrepreneurs, civil society, and international partners through a Quadruple Helix approach. The role requires strategic leadership, stakeholder management, programme development, sponsorship mobilisation, event operations oversight, communications coordination, and delivery of measurable ecosystem and socio-economic outcomes. The position will ensure the successful delivery of SAIW within a nine-month implementation period and support the establishment of SAIW as a sustainable annual national innovation platform. 

Duration: Twelve (12) months fixed term contract

Minimum Requirements    
Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree qualification in fields such as Innovation Management; Business Management; Public Administration; Economic Development; Engineering; Science and Technology Management or a related field.
• Post-Graduate Degree qualification in fields such as Innovation Management; Business Management; Public Administration; Economic Development; Engineering; Science and Technology Management or a related field will be an added advantage.

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years managing large-scale national programmes, conferences or strategic initiatives.
• Experience working within innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, research or economic development ecosystems.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management experience.
• Proven partnership and sponsorship mobilisation experience.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary project teams. Budget management experience exceeding R10 million.
• 7 –10 years senior management experience.  
• Experience within the National System of Innovation.
• Experience working with government entities and public sector governance environments will be an added advantage.

Duties and Responsibilities    
Financial Perspective

• Develop and manage the SAIW budget, financial plans, and cost frameworks.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure alignment with approved budgets.
• Implement financial controls and cost-management practices.
• Coordinate financial reporting, forecasting, and expenditure analysis.
• Monitor sponsorship income, partner contributions, and financial reconciliations.
• Ensure value-for-money principles across all event activities.
• Develop sponsorship strategies, value propositions, and partner engagement plans.

Stakeholder Relationship

• Lead strategic engagement across the Quadruple Helix innovation ecosystem.
• Secure participation and commitment from key national and international stakeholders.
• Build and formalise partnerships with government, academia, industry, investors, and innovation intermediaries.
• Negotiate partnership agreements and coordinate stakeholder engagement, communication, and collaboration.
• Lead development of the SAIW marketing and communications strategy.
• Coordinate media partnerships and promotional collaborations.
• Drive stakeholder awareness and engagement through strategic communications platforms.
• Secure and manage sponsorships and funding partnerships while tracking commitments, performance, and delivery of contractual benefits.

Internal Processes

• A comprehensive, integrated implementation strategy is developed and executed to position SAIW as a premier national innovation event.
• Programme governance structures are established, coordinated, and enabled to function effectively across all workstreams.
• Strategic partnerships, stakeholder mobilisation, and ecosystem participation are secured across government, industry, academia,          investors, and civil society.
• Sponsorship mobilisation and resource acquisition targets are achieved to ensure financial sustainability and programme excellence.
• High-quality programme content is curated to reflect national innovation priorities and showcase South African innovation excellence.
• Monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and impact assessment processes provide clear visibility of programme performance, ecosystem outcomes, and national impact.
• Lead the development and execution of the overarching SAIW implementation strategy.
• Establish and maintain the programme governance framework and decision-making structures.
• Develop and coordinate detailed project plans, implementation schedules, workstreams and integrated delivery timelines across event components.
• Ensure strategic alignment with TIA priorities and national innovation objectives.
• Lead steering committee engagements and governance forums.
• Prepare strategic reports for EXCO, Board Committees, and national stakeholders.
• Design and curate the full SAIW programme architecture.
• Coordinate keynote speakers, panel discussions, masterclasses, and thematic sessions.
• Develop thematic tracks aligned to national innovation priorities and emerging technology domains.
• Coordinate innovation competitions, awards, pitch events, exhibitions, and showcases.
• Ensure programme content reflects national priorities and ecosystem needs.
• Oversee all event logistics, operational planning, and readiness activities.
• Coordinate venue management, supplier engagement, and service provider operations.
• Manage procurement, delegate services, and operational compliance while ensuring adherence to SCM, health, safety, security, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead event delivery teams and oversee on-site execution.
• Develop and implement the national decentralised activation strategy.
• Position provincial activations as the build-up programme to the national festival.
• Align activation activities with regional innovation priorities.
• Mobilise provincial innovation stakeholders across government, academia, industry, and community networks.
• Coordinate innovation showcases, demonstrations, dialogues, hackathons, and ecosystem tours.
• Coordinate stakeholder participation, investor engagement, and provincial integration to showcase innovation and expand market opportunities.

Learning and Growth

• Lead SAIW governance, risk, compliance, and performance management by coordinating governance structures, ensuring regulatory adherence, managing audit and risk processes, and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for continuous improvement.

Deadline:10th August,2026