Opportunities at Technology Innovation Agency

Minimum Requirements

• A Degree in Science (Materials, Physics, Chemistry) / Engineering (Mechanical, Electronic/Electrical, Computer)
• A Masters degree in Engineering will be an added advantage
• A business qualification will be an added advantage
• Three (3)- Five (5) years in technology/innovation and/or investment/portfolio management, with experience in assisting entrepreneurs’/HEI’s/Science councils to progress their IP/technologies towards commercialization.
• Two (2) years’ experience in project/portfolio comercialisation and industrialization, ideally in the manufacturing/industrial sectors will be an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of technology development and innovation investment trends in the manufacturing sector.
• Knowledge of PFMA
• Knowledge of support systems for early technology
• Devotion to quality
• Dutifulness
• Innovating
• Negotiating
• Client focus
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Performing under pressure
• Team work
• Integrity
• Innovating
• Decisiveness

Duties and Responsibilities

Financial management and revenue growth

• Assist the head to develop divisional budgets and forecasts for Exco and Board approval.
• Monitor and track performance against budget (operations and projects).
• Manage and monitor the timeous disbursement of funding to ensure optimal operation of technology and innovation projects.
• Ensure that new funding opportunities are identified and additional income was raised from third party investors.
• Manage projects repayment obligations to TIA (Equity and royalties, investments and loans). 

Stakeholder management and thought leadership

• Provide input into the formulation of a stakeholder relationship strategy specific to the STA. .
• Ensure that an effective eco system is built around the portfolio including key stakeholder relations.
• Participate in events, meetings, workshops and conferences by giving input, availing skill, competency and expertise.
• Participation should result in positive input, impact and giving direction in the NSI 

Governance, compliance and reporting 

• Ensure that adherence to all relevant policies and frameworks is maintained.
• Ensure compliance to all TIA systems
• Ensure that all portfolio audit matters are resolved and agreed turnaround times on key business processes are achieved.
• Ensure that project information is accurately and completely recorded on the Enterprise Resource system.
• Ensure timeous and accurate reporting as per requirements

Innovation Funding and Pre Commercialisation Support-

• Assist applicants with building a fundable opportunity and to assess Investment opportunities.
• Provide support and assistance to projects to achieve their milestones.
• Pro-actively identify project risks and portfolio opportunities, together with project teams.
• Perform technical due diligence of TIA projects and programs.
• Ensure that all aspects of the project life cycle from sourcing to exit are efficiently managed.
• Facilitate Commercialisation of TIA projects/investments. Build a pipeline of investment opportunities for the strategic technology areas.
• Perform client-centric and value adding project management of TIA projects/investments.
• Process adherence and improvement  

Process adherence and improvement

• Ensure that KPAs are understood and achieved as agreed upon in the Performance agreement.
• Review performance against agreed performance standards.
• Live the values and culture of TIA. Identify and implement development opportunities to ensure continuous improvement of work effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ensure that departmental Information systems and tools are optimally utilized to execute core tasks

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Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/ Mining/ Environmental Engineering or equivalent
• Business related qualification will be an added advantage
• A Masters degree in Engineering will be an added advantage
• Three (3) - Five (5) years of experience in a Natural Resources research, development and innovation environment
• Two (2) - Three (3) years experience in Climate Change, Circular economy, Green Technologies and low carbon economy
• Experience in water projects will be an added advantage
• Good knowledge of technology development and innovation investment trends in the NR industry
• Knowledge of PFMA
• Knowledge of support systems for early technology
• Devotion to quality
• Dutifulness
• Innovating
• Negotiating
• Client focus
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Performing under pressure
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Innovating
• Decisiveness

Duties and Responsibilities

Financial management and revenue growth

• Assist the head to develop divisional budgets and forecasts for Exco and Board approval.
• Monitor and track performance against budget (operations and projects).
• Manage and monitor the timeous disbursement of funding to ensure optimal operation of technology and innovation projects.
• Ensure that new funding opportunities are identified, and additional income was raised from third party investors.
• Manage projects repayment obligations to TIA (Equity and royalties, investments, and loans).

Stakeholder management and thought leadership

• Provide input into the formulation of a Stakeholder relationship strategy specific to the STA.
• In collaboration with SSRC, ensure that credible success stories are published.
• Ensure that an effective eco system is built around the portfolio including key stakeholder relations.
• Participate in events, meetings, workshops, and conferences by giving input, availing skill, competency and expertise.
• Participation should result in positive input, impact and giving direction in the NSI 

Governance, compliance and reporting 

• Ensure that adherence to all relevant policies and frameworks is maintained.
• Ensure that compliance to all TIA systems (fund management, performance management, HR, finance, Stakeholder information, etc.) is maintained.
• Ensure that all portfolio audit matters are resolved and agreed turnaround times on key business processes are achieved.
• Ensure that project information is accurately and completely recorded on the fund management system.
• Ensure timeous and accurate reporting as per requirements 

Innovation Funding and Pre-Commercialisation Support-      

• Assist applicants with building a fundable opportunity and to assess Investment opportunities.
• Provide support and assistance to projects to achieve their milestones.
• Pro-actively identify project risks and portfolio opportunities, together with project teams.
• Perform technical due diligence of TIA projects and programs.
• Ensure that all aspects of the project life cycle from sourcing to exit are efficiently managed.
• Facilitate Commercialisation of TIA projects/investments. Build a pipeline of investment opportunities for the strategic technology areas.
• Perform client-centric and value adding project management of TIA projects/investments.
• Process adherence and improvement – 

Process adherence and improvement

• Ensure that KPAs are understood and achieved as agreed upon in the Performance agreement.
• Review performance against agreed performance standards.
• Live the values and culture of TIA. Identify and implement development opportunities to ensure continuous improvement of work effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ensure that departmental Information systems and tools are optimally utilized to execute core tasks