Specialist: Strategic Planning

Requirements :

• A Degree in Management Sciences, Social Sciences, Public Administration or an equivalent relevant qualification at NQF Level 7. At least five (5) years’ relevant experience in a strategic planning environment

Duties :

• Strategic Planning and Policy Development- Develop and coordinate GEP’s annual strategic planning cycle in alignment with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (DED) and Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) planning cycles. Develop and maintain strategic planning policies, standard operating procedures, frameworks and guidelines. Provide technical expertise in the development of GEP’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Operational Plan. Ensure alignment of organisational plans with provincial strategies, government priorities and relevant policy frameworks.
• Align Annual Performance Plans with Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) priorities and approved budget allocations. Organisational Planning and Coordination. Provide technical strategic planning support to GEP divisions and business units in developing strategic, annual performance and operational plans. Lead and coordinate the development and consolidation of divisional operational plans.
• Conduct planning gap analyses and recommend improvements to the annual planning cycle and associated business processes. Participate in DED and Office of the Premier planning sessions to ensure alignment with government planning requirements. Facilitate effective integration of organisational priorities, programmes, performance indicators and targets into planning documents. Environmental Scanning and Strategic Analysis.
• Coordinate the development of environmental scan reports to inform GEP’s strategic direction and budget submissions. Prepare strategic outlook analyses to support the Estimates of Provincial Revenue and Expenditure (EPRE) submissions. Analyse internal and external factors, emerging trends, policy developments and socio-economic conditions that may influence GEP’s performance and strategic priorities. Provide evidence-based recommendations to support strategic decision-making and organisational improvement.
• Performance Alignment and Strategic Reporting. Provide technical support in reporting on performance against the Strategic Plan, Annual Performance Plan and approved strategic objectives.
• Support the alignment of performance indicators, targets and operational activities across organisational divisions. Identify planning and performance gaps and recommend corrective measures to improve the achievement of strategic objectives. Ensure that strategic planning documentation is accurate, consistent and compliant with applicable government planning and reporting requirements. Stakeholder Relations and Collaboration.
• Maintain effective working relationships with internal divisions, DED, the Office of the Premier, Treasury and other relevant stakeholders. Liaise with internal and external auditors on strategic planning and related governance matters. Facilitate planning meetings, consultations and engagements to support the development and alignment of organisational plans Provide timely feedback and communicate planning requirements, progress and related matters to relevant stakeholders.