SUMMARY:
We are seeking an experienced Senior Economic Development Consultant to help shape the future of manufacturing and industrial policy across South Africa and the wider continent.
POSITION INFO:
Economic Development Senior Consultant - Durban or Cape - Salary R50,000 to R75,000 per month About the Opportunity We are seeking an experienced Senior Economic Development Consultant to help shape the future of manufacturing and industrial policy across South Africa and the wider continent. Working at the intersection of macro policy, meso cluster platforms, and micro firm-level competitiveness, you will lead high-impact public-private collaborations to advance South Africa's reindustrialisation agenda. What You Will Do Cluster & Sector Strategy: Design and manage industrial cluster programmes that bring together business, government, and development partners to unlock growth in sectors like Automotive, Chemicals, Textiles, and Advanced Manufacturing. Project & Proposal Leadership: Lead project design, resourcing, and execution with minimal supervision. Draft comprehensive project proposals (costing, resourcing, and workplans). Commercial Growth & Delivery: Drive and deliver sustainable project engagements (>R3.3m revenue scale) at ~50% gross profit. People & Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop team members (>3 people per project\/organogram) into capable, high-performing consultants. Applied Economic Research: Conduct rigorous analytical research to inform national policy, cluster strategies, investment decisions, and localisation interventions. Governance & Stakeholder Facilitation: Lead programme governance and facilitate high-level strategic workshops across public and private sector leaders. Requirements Education: Master's degree in an analytical discipline (e.g., Economics, Development Economics, Engineering, Commerce, Geography, Industrial Psychology) from a reputable university. Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience in economic development, industrial policy, or management consulting. Track Record: Proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects, lead teams, and produce high-quality strategic deliverables. Key Skills: Advanced Excel and PowerPoint proficiency; exceptional written, verbal, and executive presentation skills. Advantageous: Deep exposure to manufacturing sectors and public-private partnership frameworks. Why Apply? Purpose-Driven Role: Directly contribute to job creation, sustainability, and industrial growth in Africa. Work Culture: High-performance, collaborative team environment with flexible hybrid arrangements. Career Development: Performance-linked growth and recognition.
