Head: Research and Information Department

SUMMARY:

My client is seeking a Research and Information Department Head to lead the Research and Information department in executing its key supportive roles to the company by monitoring and analysing economic and industrial trends, and forecasting movements in key macroeconomic variables and in specific sectors of economic activity; undertaking s...

POSITION INFO:

My client is seeking a Research and Information Department Head to lead the Research and Information department in executing its key supportive roles to the company by monitoring and analysing economic and industrial trends, and forecasting movements in key macroeconomic variables and in specific sectors of economic activity; undertaking sectoral/industrial/value-chain specific research and analysis that lead to the identification of opportunities for the expansion or establishment of new production capacity in South Africa and/or in the rest of the African continent, with the company as a potential catalytic project promoter or financial partner; and providing strategic research and policy formulation support to the South African government.

• A master’s degree in economics or an equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in an economic research and analysis environment.
• At least 5 years of experience in managing teams and operating at a leadership level.
• Deep understanding of the economic environment (international, regional, and domestic) and factors influencing it.
• Robust knowledge of economic theory and principles and their practical application.
• Comprehensive knowledge of sources of economic data and other pertinent information, as well as research methodologies.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and statistical software

 

• Lead a team of economists and researchers in undertaking macroeconomic and sectoral/industrial/value-chain research and analysis, driving a high-performance culture. Develop and implement research strategies to support the company’s mandate and strategic objectives.
• Continuously improve the analytical capability of the team to provide insightful and relevant contributions and recommendations to the strategic planning processes at the corporate and operational levels.
• Ensure that the department’s research and analysis is highly practical and oriented towards the identification of emerging trends, industrial development opportunities both domestically and regionally, as well as threats.
• Contribute to the provision of the theoretical and intellectual platform of research information for the effective achievement of the mandates as determined by/for the company.
• Exercise effective quality assurance and oversight and ensure consistency and coherence across the broad range of the department’s research and analysis outputs.
• Facilitate the continued development and maintenance of comprehensive databases of economic and sectoral/industrial data.
• Provide economic analysis and advice the company’s Board of Directors, executive management and other senior management, as well as policymakers.
• Research on major development issues (as identified by the organisation) facing South Africa and Africa and their relation to global economic governance and possible solution generation to provide and enable the organisation to be knowledge led.
• Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the Corporation across a range of public platforms, including media, proactively leveraging on opportunities to demonstrate thought leadership, compellingly and credibly, on a range of economic and industrial development areas.
• Manage conflict, address performance management issues, and facilitate constructive working relations and healthy morale among the department’s staff and other stakeholders.
• Manage the departmental budget.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.