DREAMS IES PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT MANAGER X1

JOB ADVERT

DREAMS IES PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT MANAGER X1

GAUTENG

Project Description:

DREAMS Intensive Economic Strengthening (IES) is a component of the ACHIEVE programming in South Africa. The DREAMS IES intervention is specifically aimed at empowering YW and increasing their opportunities to be self-reliant and earn sustainable livelihoods.
ACHIEVE will build YW self-efficacy and decision-making power in relationships through economic independence so that their risk of HIV infection is reduced as they are less reliant on transactional sex and/or having to remain in relationships where they are experiencing emotional and physical abuse.

Economic insecurity continues to increase vulnerability and is often a reason for risky sexual behavior among AGYW. Through the IES program sustainable linkages are created to a diversified array of socioeconomic opportunities that provide YW with a chance to earn a sustainable livelihood and minimize the economic inequalities they suffer. This subsequently strengthens their self-sufficiency (financial and emotional) to make more informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

Position Description:

The DREAMS IES Private Sector Engagement Manager provides leadership and management of initiatives that foster successful relationships with the South African private sector, Government institutions and local municipalities to identify areas of possible collaboration and leverage on existing resources to link young women to economic empowerment opportunities including vocational training and skills development.

S/he will approach private sector actors to provide capacity development support, employment, or business startup support for YW. Also, s/he will be responsible for negotiating MOUs with skills development centers, NYDA, and others to provide capacity development/ employment. The YW are a potential workforce who already have foundational business training and are between the ages of 20-24 years.
S/he will work closely with the global and in-country ACHIEVE teams and serve as the principal institutional liaison with regards to creating successful linkages and opportunities for the young women in the program.

Specifically, s/he will be responsible for supporting the DREAMS IES implementing teams and partners, providing appropriate approaches and strategies to prepare young women to succeed in the workforce/wage employment or self-employment/entrepreneurship.
S/he will work closely with the IES Deputy Program Director to ensure that program objectives are met, activities are responsive to the needs of the host country and donors, and the program continues to advance and play a key role in contributing to Pact’s development within South Africa.

S/he will report to the IES Deputy Program Director and will work out of the main ACHIEVE office in Pretoria but not necessarily be fully based there. S/he will travel extensively to the provinces to fulfil the program goals and mentor and coach her/his counterparts in the districts.

Minimum Key Responsibilities and duties:
•Serve as team leader charged with the day-to-day execution of the IES activities that specifically focus on engaging with the private sector, government line ministries and local municipalities that provide opportunities for young women to be absorbed in the mainstream South African economy through employment, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and incubation.
• Ensure program success and attainment of desired results/indicators. Ensure that all project deliverables are met in a high quality, cost effective and timely manner.
• Responsible for building and managing partnerships (including job placement, mentorship, incubation, training, paid internship and learnership and business opportunities)
• Guided by the Labor Market Assessment (LMA), in each district identify and engage with, negotiate with and advocate for the service providers to support the program specifically targeting the traditionally male dominated industries/sectors. Advocate that there is development of skills for the young women that will equip them to enter and compete in these male dominated fields of employment or businesses.
• Focus on market linkages to promote partnerships with government, the private sector, academic institutions, and NPOs/NGOs, that specifically target women development programmers.
• Create a network of private and public sector partnerships that will provide such opportunities all the way to the municipal level.
• Identify trade shows, exhibitions, business expos, online listing portals and other events where young women entrepreneurs will showcase their products or services to potential clients and create opportunities to network.
•Report on progress, issues, challenges, and local risk management.
•Collaborate with the MERL team on performance results analysis, visualization, and reporting.
•Compile routine and ad hoc reports for ACHIEVE leadership.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
•Degree in Business Administration, Economics, or related qualifications. A master’s degree is highly preferred.
•At least ten (10) progressive years of experience working in Small, Medium Enterprises (SME) development (training, mentorship, access to finance, business development and market linkages).
•Excellent understanding of the economic & labour market landscape in South Africa
•Demonstrated experience linking youth especially young women to employment or entrepreneurship activities or developing micro enterprise entities.
•Demonstrated knowledge of the potential opportunity providers for employment and business support.
•Proven management and inter-personal skills
•Strong familiarity with PEPFAR and USAID programs
•Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
•Experience in partnership management is highly recommended.
•Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills highly desirable
•Valid South African driver’s license
• Eligibility to work in South Africa
• Willingness to travel extensively across different provinces.

Only applicants possessing the prescribed minimum qualifications and experience are invited to submit their electronic CVs and application letters with a subject line “DREAMS IES Private Sector Engagement Manager” to merlapps@pactworld.org

Closing Date: 15 July 2024

Pact reserves the right to verify all information provided by candidates including credit rating. Please note that correspondence will be limited to short listed candidates only and if you do not hear from us within 3 weeks after the closing date kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.