Programme Manager: Dell Young Leaders - Department for Education Innovation

PROGRAMME MANAGER: DELL YOUNG LEADERS (ONE-YEAR CONTRACT POST)

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 7

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy. The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be an experienced project manager that will operationalize the Dell Young Leaders Scholarship Programme at the University of Pretoria. The Programme Manager will be responsible for scoping, monitoring and controlling resources and cost of investment against the project budget, managing risks and developing contingency plans, setting timelines, and leveraging existing staff and technology tools to deliver on project goals for the Dell Young Leaders Programme. The incumbent is responsible for the scholarship fund management on behalf of the University of Pretoria, as well as the delivery of quality student support in the form of academic, situational, work readiness and placement interventions to almost 300 university students. The Programme Manager will also lead the measurement and reporting related to the outcome targets that have been set for the programme (80% graduation rate and 100% employment rate of its graduates), and document key learnings.

The Programme Manager is required to have strong people management skills. To succeed in this role, the incumbent should be a perceptive, creative leader and a reliable problem-solver that has the necessary skills to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders who have diverse objectives, and work in an environment with rigorous policies and procedures. The incumbent will be based at the University of Pretoria, and report to the Deputy Director for Education and Innovation at the University of Pretoria. As this is a growing programme, the incumbent will need to be comfortable with change, and follow through on strategic guidance at the behest of the Portfolio Director for University Success and Youth Employment and/or the Programme Officer for Dell Young Leaders at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A professional qualification at an honours level in a relevant field from a leading university and/or project management certification;
• A driver's licence;
• A minimum of seven years of work experience with medium to high complexity projects;
• Three years' experience working with students;
• Experience in business planning, along with a strong understanding of financial, budgeting and accounting processes;
• Experience with compiling business cases, business requirements and process maps, as well as project risk management in a controlled environment.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and advanced formatting in Microsoft Word;
• Polished, persuasive spoken and written communication skills;
• Ability to think conceptually using strong analytical skills, effectively influence a wide cross-section of people across organisations, and to identify and implement solutions to address complex business problems;
• The ability to manage a range of projects in terms of scope, budget, time, risks, issues and costs;
• The ability to create project charters and schedules at a detailed level, as well as lead initiation, planning, execution, control, monitoring and close out procedures;
• Ability to lead project integration and change management, budget and cost estimation, as well as control procedures;
• Embody the highest level of stewardship and ethical leadership in administering the foundation's resources for the Programme;
• Ability to learn and drive usage of programme specific technology quickly and easily;
• Work with senior management to create technology product plans and roadmaps to ensure project releases are launched correctly and on schedule;
• Comfort with quantitative analysis and the presentation of data, and the ability to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously, meet stringent deadlines and work under pressure for extended periods of time;
• Ability to co-ordinate the efforts of a team of professionals (both on site and remotely) to ensure delivery;
• Maturity and judgment to be an effective representative of the Programme, the University and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation;
• The ability to get things done with a strong “end-product” orientation and have excellent attention to detail;
• The ability to work in an agile and adaptable manner as required in an environment which is often changing;
• Comfortable with vendor and event management;
• Ability to think strategically and interact tactically with diverse student populations in an effective and empowering manner;
• Ability to thrive in a high-performance culture;
• Willingness to travel within South Africa approximately four to six times per year;
• Excellent general administrative skills.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• A master's qualification in a relevant field;
• Three years' prior experience working in investments, consulting, operations, entrepreneurship or strategic project management;
• A passion for education, creative problem solving, and empathy towards young people.

PLEASE NOTE: All shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in relevant skills assessments as part of the selection process.

The all-inclusive remuneration package for this contract position will be commensurate with the incumbent's level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines.

Applicants are requested to apply online.

In applying for this post, please attach:

• A comprehensive CV;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact.

CLOSING DATE: 22 February 2019

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES: Mrs Elize de Waal, Tel: (012) 420 3869

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 30 April 2019, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups. All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials. The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.