Senior Advisor: Trading Services

Senior Advisor: Trading Services
Based in Limpopo (Polokwane) Ref: 23/10/15
Cluster: Municipal Finance, Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth
Remuneration package: A competitive salary package with benefits

ROLE OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Provincial Director of Operations, this role is responsible for coordinating trading services (water and sanitation services,
energy and electricity, waste management) support for municipalities within the provinces. The role involves engaging with key trading
services stakeholders such as the relevant sector departments, provincial treasury, provincial COGTA, various provincial intergovernmental
relations (IGR) forums and platforms to keep abreast with developments as well as to leverage trading services support for municipalities.
Critical to this role is an understanding of municipal challenges and support needs in trading services and monitoring activities and progress
in addressing these needs and implementing solutions. The Senior Advisor: Trading Services engages on policy, legislative, regulatory,
institutional, fiscal, planning, capacity building, knowledge sharing and overall service delivery matters to share information, problem solve
and ensure dynamic and responsive relationships between all key trading services role players and municipalities within the province.

THE CANDIDATE PROFILE
 Stakeholder management and networking skills
 Excellent communication and writing skills
 Ability to manage in a broad scoped environment
 Analytical and problem-solving skills
 Decision making and sound judgement
 A dynamic, motivated self-starter with high levels of emotional maturity
 High integrity and ethics
 Understanding of management principles and public sector policies, legislation and regulations
 Understanding of inter-government relations (IGR and project management principles)

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
 Relevant Post-graduate qualification at Hons level in Public Admin, Public Policy/ Development or equivalent field
 At least 7 years’ relevant experience of which at least 3 years have been at an equivalent level within a medium to large sized organisation
 Sound track record in effectively managing complex and sensitive stakeholder engagements at all levels.
 A Valid Driver’s License and frequentt travelling
 Sector knowledge and a good understanding of the policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks governing the trading services
sectors (water, sanitation, energy, electricity, waste management, as well as those applying to the local government sector as a whole
 Ability to manage and operate within a broad scoped, multi-sector, multi-disciplinary environment is essential

KEY PORTFOLIO AND PERFORMANCE FOCUS AREAS
 Research and Benchmarking: Under the guidance of sector specialists and management, provide ongoing analysis of the key
challenges, needs and trends within trading services, to ensure that local government strategies and programmes are appropriately
implemented. Under the guidance of the Provincial Director of Operations analyse and interpret research in trading services and create
a learning and sharing platform to improve municipal efficiency in trading services. Be a key repository of knowledge and information
on municipal trading services and support the strengthening of municipal profiles in the central repository. Conduct analysis on
municipalities, the challenges they face and their support needs, and provide guidance in respect of possible improvements
 Representation at IGR & Other Forums (Lobbying and Advocacy): Represent SALGA and municipalities at various Provincial IGR
and other Forums to protect the interests of municipalities in terms of trading services; and to influence engagements on powers and
functions, policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks in terms of trading services, especially where decisions may hinder municipal
performance. Understand the national and provincial governance structures of SALGA and the institutional structures of the Trading
Services Sectors and the roles and responsibilities of key role players in Trading Services. Provide inputs to and develop content on a
number of complex issues relevant to a SALGA position for mandating. Provide technical support and advice to the Chairs of working
groups and facilitate tracking and implementation of resolutions.

Support Advice and Capacity Building: Guide, support and provide professional advice to municipalities in trading services and refer
issues of strategic importance to the Provincial Director of Operations. Leverage support from relevant sector departments and other
institutions, and where appropriate, provide hands on support, to address municipal support and capacity needs. Facilitate the
implementation of SALGA Trading Services programmes within municipalities. Facilitate training programmes / peer learning sessions
in Trading Services
 Monitoring and Evaluation: Support the development, implementation and monitoring of SALGA’s trading services initiatives within
the province and track and report on progress. Maintain records as per SALGA policy and ensure that all records are uploaded into the
knowledge management system. Create a high performance culture on all SALGA initiatives and support and report on progress against
milestones and KPIs.
 Programme / Project Management: Implement appropriate project management methodologies and disciplines; and manage full
project cycle on assigned projects including M&E. Plan and integrate programme roll-out to municipalities. Develop terms of reference
for identified programmes. Ensure that projects are implemented against contract specification and payments are based on agreed
milestones. Identify spin-off projects and opportunities from the programme.
 Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain relevant stakeholder relationships/ partnerships within trading services and ensure
appropriate and timely communications with all stakeholders. Build partnerships with relevant stakeholders to leverage support for
municipalities and to ensure programme success.
 Financial and Expense Monitoring: Assist with the preparation of annual budgets and monitoring of the monthly expenditure in area
of accountability. Assist in the identification of potential revenue sources and participate in procurement committees as required – adhere
to procurement requirements and deadlines for identified programmes. Monitor sponsorship payments according to the contract and
track programme implementation against the budget. Actively save costs in areas of responsibility.
 Governance, Compliance and Risk Management: Uphold sound corporate governance principles in day-to-day operations and
ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures. Support the identification and mitigation of organisational and
operational risks and develop and maintain programme risk register and ensure that mitigation steps are applied.
 Teamwork: Work as a multi-disciplinary and integrated team to find possible solutions to complex challenges in municipalities.
Support organisational priorities and the implementation of resource mobilisation systems and processes. In line with the SALGA
organisational culture, role model and educate peers and Advisors on the importance of alignment of personal and organisational values
for improved performance. Support the Executive and Senior Management Team in building a high-performance culture in SALGA.
Actively participate in the performance management and development processes in SALGA to drive high performance on an ongoing
basis

Suitably qualified and experienced candidates must submit a curriculum vitae in application for this position
Closing Date: 17 November 2023
NOTE: Communication will be limited to short-listed candidates only. SALGA reserves the right not to proceed with the appointment for any of the vacant position. All appointments will be made in line with the SALGA’S Employment Equity Plan

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