GENERAL MANAGER

The Conversation Africa is an independent source of news and views from the academic and research community, delivered direct to the public. 

The Conversation Africa was launched in May 2015 and now has offices in Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Dakar and Accra. 

The Conversation believes in open access and the free-flow of information. The Conversation is a free resource: free to read (we’ll never go behind a paywall), and free to share or republish under Creative Commons. .

Ideally based at Wits University in Johannesburg – The Conversation Africa seeks to appoint a

GENERAL MANAGER

The General Manager will be responsible for the overall business management of The Conversation Africa (TC Africa), managing and maintaining strategic partnerships, developing new partnerships and securing and maintaining new and existing donor funding.

The General Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Work with the Editor, leadership team and TC Africa directors to agree short- and medium-term planning and objective setting.

2. Protect and grow the reputation of TC Africa brand.

3. Ensure revenue streams from existing sources and establish new sources of revenue flow to broaden income base for TC Africa, including, but not limited to crowdfunding, partnership value propositions and potential commercial activities.

4. Expand and diversify TC Africa partners, donors and universities. Manage arrangements for targeting and attracting new partners, donors and universities and all aspects of recruitment and retention, and recommend and implement appropriate action.

5. Develop annual operating and expense budgets.

6. Manage efficient spending against agreed budget targets.

7. Set clear operational direction and align resources; orchestrate and manage The Conversation’s planning, and execution.

8. Provide company secretarial services to the Governing Board of The Conversation Africa.

9. Prepare and manage all board reporting requirements.

10. Assures the establishment of systems and processes necessary to safeguard the financial and human resources of the organization.

11. Ensure regulatory and legal compliance requirements are adhered to in all regions in which TC-Africa operates (South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal).

The General Manager must meet the following criteria:

1. Relevant undergraduate degree.

2. A Masters degree in Business Administration or similar would be advantageous.

3. At least 15 years operations and managerial experience, of which 5 years must have been in a leadership position or at senior management level.

4. Experience in working across the African continent and attuned to cross border operational and cultural issues.

5. Experience in engaging and working with philanthropic donor organisations.

6. Experience in non-profit organisation management.

7. Excellent knowledge of the statutory and legislative context of TC Africa activities.

8. Strong knowledge of TC Africa’s policies and procedures.

9. Knowledge of the African NGO environment.

10. Ability to interact with stakeholders at an executive level.

The position is offered on a hybrid WFH working model with 2 days in office, with potential to consider a fully remote working model dependent on the candidate.

This is a permanent position.

South African citizens / permanent residents are preferred. Black African women are encouraged to apply for this role considering the hiring preferences of the client.

View the full job description and application instructions on the Vacancies page at www.actionappointments.co.za/vacancies and email your application by Wednesday 29^th November 2023 to tracy@actionappointments.co.za