Divisional Chief Operating Officer (Wits RHI)

Main purpose of the job:

• Development and oversight of Wits RHI’s overall administrative and operations management strategy and drives the development and realization of the organization’s strategic goals
• The incumbent will coordinate and lead strategy development, enabling the organization to remain relevant and responsive to the internal and external environment
• The incumbent will identify new and sustainable opportunities that will grow Wits RHI’s footprint nationally and regionally
• The incumbent will also work through the respective Directorates to build cross-functional cooperation and drive strategic alignment and delivery in so far as new business opportunities
• The role will further manage communication with key stakeholders to increase the business visibility and reputation, leveraging intrinsic knowledge and understanding of the donor/funder environment and the company's mission

Location:

• Hugh Solomon Building, Hillbrow, Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Lead the development of Wits RHI’s strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization in consultation with the ED and other Directors
• Advise the Executive Director (ED) and other key members of senior management on financial planning, budgeting, and policy matters
• Serve as the management liaison to the Wits Health Consortium in respect to the SLA delivery in matters related to finance, HR, and legal
• Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the ED informed of all critical issues
• Represent the organization externally, as necessary, particularly in operational contract negotiations
• Provide strategic and operational support to Wits RHI’s space planning processes, including the ongoing review and development of new space
• Ensure internal management reporting capabilities are developed and optimally operational, including the RHI risk register and balanced scorecard

Strategic Business Development

• Lead the business development strategy for the organization
• Be proactive in identifying new funding opportunities aligned to the strategic objectives of the organization, in conjunction and relevant Directors
• Support grants writing in coordination with WHC by ensuring relevant resources are available
• Communicate with prospective donors to establish a funding pipeline and address challenges arising during grant writing and submission processes
• Develop and maintain a business sustainability strategy incorporating future opportunities to develop, showcase and grow the Wits RHI footprint
• Champion the creation and ongoing development of the Inner-City Hub with practical business and project planning to ensure traction and delivery of outcomes

Stakeholder Management

• Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Take initiative to develop and support strategic joint collaborations with WHC and other syndicates and Wits University that are synergistic and beneficial to Wits RHI
• Be proactive in seeking and maintaining strategic relationships with the local Department of Health, regional and global health ministries and organizations, existing and prospective funders, alliance partners, etc.
• Create opportunities to network within the community of partners/donors/governments of interest to Wits RHI
• Increase awareness of the Wits RHI portfolio to stakeholders to attract funding

Operations Management Oversight

• Ensure an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, and procedures across all Operations Departments are developed and optimally applied
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Information Systems and Technology (IT/IS) portfolio
• Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual operations budget process
• Ensure that RHI is adhering to the strategic plan, delivering status reports to the Steerco
• Provide analytical support to all RHI governance structures including the Management Committee and the Steering Committee

Communications Strategy Management Oversight

• Lead the development of an internal and external communication strategy
• Provide input into the branding of Wits RHI and promote this brand internally and externally
• Ensure the interests of the organization are communicated
• Recruit key communications staff to establish an effective communications department within Wits RHI
• Management oversight of the Communications Team ensuring Company strategic goals are met and daily operational communications are optimized
• Provide oversight on communication within and outside of the organization

Staff Management and Leadership

• Oversee, direct, and organize the work of the finance (grant management), communications and operations teams
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality
• Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance appraisals
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assign accountabilities; set objectives; establish priorities, and monitor and evaluate results
• Identify substandard performance by team members and take necessary rehabilitative and/or corrective action in line with company policy
• Promote harmony, teamwork, and sharing of information

Required minimum education and training:

• Master’s degree in health (MPH), Business (MBA), or Public Service

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in senior management, ideally with financial management experience gained in a high-growth organization or in a public health/research/NGO/consulting/private sector organization
• Proven track record of facilitating progressive organizational change and development within a growing organization

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:

• Excellent leadership skills with demonstrated ability to effectively lead in a changing environment
• Strategic thinking, results orientation, business acumen, financial management, and outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of organizational policies, procedures, systems and objectives, fiscal management and human resource management techniques, knowledge of donor regulations and compliance requirements
• Knowledge of the NGO/ public health sector
• Experience in US federal finance and accounting regulations is advantageous

TO APPLY:

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration on Ditto Hire (our application tracking system) to enable and protect you as a candidate to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions. This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL. However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market.
• AJ Personnel is fully POPIA Compliant.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 30 September 2022.
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.

Please note:

• Our Client, WHC - RHI, maintains mandatory Covid-19 requirements, and as such only Covid-19 vaccinated incumbents will be considered for positions.
• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.