Director- SMME & Cooperative Support

Requirements :

• NQF Level 7 in Economics/ Development Studies/Business Management/Public Administration/ Public Management qualifications Nyukela Certificate for entry into SMS (Senior Management Service) from the National School of Government.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience at middle/ senior management level in SMMEs and Co-operatives environment. Code 8/10

Duties :

• Develop the SMME development strategy for the GCR economy. Lead and report on the implementation of the SMME development strategy across the province. Align SMME and Co-operative policies with broader economic development strategies. Champion the implementation of the Township Economic Development Act.
• Identify priority sectors for targeted support and investment. Develop incentive schemes to stimulate entrepreneurship and co-operative formation. Integrate policies with local economic development (LED) initiatives. Foster linkages between SMMEs, Co-operatives, and value chains.
• Measure economic impact through job creation, income generation, and productivity. Use data analytics to refine strategies and scale successful interventions. Conduct needs assessment to identify the specific non-financial support services required by SMMEs and Co-operatives. Develop strategic partnerships with government agencies, private sector entities, and non-profit services for SMMEs and Co-operatives organizations to deliver a diverse range of support services.
• Create a centralised platform that provides easy access to information and resources related to non-financial support services. Implement targeted training programs and workshops focusing on business management, marketing, legal compliance, and other relevant areas. Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system to assess the impact of support services and refine them based on feedback and performance data.
• Launch outreach and awareness campaigns using multiple communication channels to ensure SMMEs and Co-operatives are informed about available support services. Leverage government grants, private sector investment, and donor funding to ensure sustainable financial support for incubators. Engage industry professionals and successful entrepreneurs to mentor and advise incubated SMMEs and Co-operatives. Offer targeted training, workshops, and seminars on business planning, marketing, compliance, and financial literacy. Track performance and growth of incubated enterprises to tailor support and improve incubator effectiveness. Facilitate networks among incubators to exchange best practices, share resources, and replicate successful models.
• Lead outreach programmes to identify and support emerging community enterprises. Provide localised training tailored to rural and underserved areas. Establish community enterprise hubs for shared resources and collaboration. Promote youth and women participation in enterprise development. Facilitate partnerships with local municipalities and development agencies. Support community-led sustainability initiatives.
• Track social impact metrics to guide future interventions. Strengthen evidence-based decision-making and innovation. Partner with universities and think tanks to conduct sector studies, impact assessments, and policy research. Create platforms for SMMEs and Co-operatives to connect with investors, suppliers, and customers. Use surveys, interviews, or focus groups to understand stakeholder needs and improve engagement strategies.
• Partner with government departments, NGOs, and private sector entities to pool resources and align efforts. Perform strategic and operational planning. Oversee the administrative support functions. Perform people management functions. Perform financial management functions. Perform asset management functions.