Technology Innovation Agency Jobs – 02 August 2026

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

Chief Innovation Officer – 5 Year Fixed-Term Contract

Closing Date
2026/08/10
Reference Number
TIA260728-1
Job Title Chief Innovation Officer – 5 Year Fixed-Term Contract
Job Type Classification Contract
Location – Town / City Pretoria
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Job Advert Summary
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is a talent-driven, customer-centric, and impact-focused organisation committed to advancing technology innovation that delivers meaningful socio-economic outcomes. As part of this mission, TIA seeks to attract and retain high-performing professionals who embody teamwork, innovation, agility, customer focus, accountability, and a strong commitment to creating value. These attributes are cultivated to foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, impact, and responsibility.

In fulfilling its mandate, TIA provides both financial and non-financial support to innovators and enterprises, enabling the development and commercialisation of technologies that contribute to economic growth, improve quality of life, and promote environmental sustainability.

Job Purpose:

Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight of TIA’s curated innovation portfolio (TRL 3–9), ensuring the systematic sourcing, funding, development, commercialisation, and exit of high-potential innovations to maximise socio-economic and commercial impact. The role positions TIA as both an innovation enabler and catalyst, aligning investments, partnerships, and market pathways to deliver on the Decadal Plan and TIA Strategic Objectives.

Minimum Requirements
Qualifications

Master’s degree in Technology and Innovation Management, Engineering, Science, Business, Finance or related field
Experience

Total 15 years Executive Leadership experience of which 8+ years must be at EXCO / General Manager level.
Proven responsibility for budgets above R100m+.
Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary teams (30+ professionals).
Proven track record of Technology Development, Commercialisation and Capital deployment.
Public-private ecosystem experience.
Proven turnaround experience.
Proven track record in driving innovation strategy, R&D, or technology commercialisation.
Experience in public sector governance and funding environments.
Senior executive experience in innovation funding, technology development, commercialisation, venture building or development finance.
Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of public sector governance frameworks and accountability requirements.
Understanding of technology development pathways and TRL progression models.
Knowledge of development finance and innovation funding mechanisms.
People-centric leadership: ability to foster trust, inclusion, mentorship and psychological safety.
Stakeholder engagement and collaboration in complex multi-stakeholder environments.
Venture building and innovation funding models.
Performance management and impact measurement frameworks.
Governance, risk management and compliance oversight
Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Perspective

Identify and curate high-potential innovation opportunities.
Structure and approve funding mechanisms.
Manage TRL 3–9 portfolio, setting milestones, decision rights, and performance management.
Optimise portfolio value through technical, commercial, and market interventions.
Monitor portfolio outcomes to maximise ROI and strategic impact.
Translate innovation investments into market-ready solutions.
Provide executive oversight of the Technology Development and Commercialisation.
Guide venture development and venture-building initiatives.
Facilitate market adoption and scaling of innovations.
Capture lessons from exits to inform future portfolio and instrument design.
Drive sustainable revenue generation, commercialisation outcomes, and value realisation from publicly funded innovation programmes.
Ensure effective stewardship of public innovation capital through measurable financial returns, strategic partnerships, and innovation commercialisation initiatives.
Responsible for leveraging public innovation funding to stimulate economic impact, attract co-investment, and support revenue-generating innovation ecosystems.
Stakeholder Management

Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government, industry, academia, investors, and civil society.
Engage with Board, shareholder department, and National Treasury.
Position organisation as innovation enabler and thought leader.
Facilitate cross-sector collaboration and joint projects.
Ensure innovation programmes are responsive to customer and market needs.
Integrate beneficiary insights into programme design.
Monitor responsiveness of programmes to stakeholder expectations.
Facilitate adoption and scaling of innovation solutions.
Internal Processes

Embed governance, compliance, and ethical frameworks.
Implement risk-based portfolio management.
Uphold ethical conduct, transparency, and decision traceability.
Provide executive reporting and accountability to CEO, Board, and shareholders.
Oversee and optimise portfolio priorities and pipeline.
Monitor programme progress across TRL 3–9 lifecycle.
Address implementation challenges proactively.
Ensure projects and programmes meet technical, commercial, and strategic objectives.
Coordinate internal teams and delivery partners to achieve outcomes.
Improve operational efficiencies of technology development and commercialisation portfolio.
Learning and Growth

Lead and develop senior executives, managers, and specialist teams.
Build organisational capability in portfolio management, commercialisation, and investment disciplines.
Identify skills gaps and implement professional development plansPromote continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
Encourage experimentation and application of lessons learned.
Foster psychologically safe, accountable, and collaborative culture.
Promote innovation-focused behaviours and creative problem-solving.
Encourage cross-team collaboration and continuous improvement.
Embed values supporting accountability, teamwork, and organisational excellence.

Click here to apply

Senior Manager: South African Innovation Week

Closing Date
2026/08/10
Reference Number
TIA260727-1
Job Title Senior Manager: South African Innovation Week
Job Type Classification Contract
Location – Town / City Pretoria
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Job Advert Summary
About TIA:
TIA is a talent driven, customer- centric and impact focused organisation. In our endeavour to support technology innovation with socio-economic outcomes, we seek to infuse the organisation with team players that find resonance as value creators, agile thinkers, progressive attitudes, customer-centricity, dynamic work ethic and an optimistic disposition. We aim to harness these attributes in a manner that they culminate into a culture of teamwork, impact and accountability.
The Technology Innovation Agency endeavours to promote the careers of previously disadvantaged persons by applying the principles of the Employment Equity Act, as amended.
The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Purpose of the Position:
The Senior Manager: South African Innovation Week (SAIW) will be responsible for the end-to-end planning, coordination, mobilisation, implementation, and post-event reporting of South Africa’s flagship innovation ecosystem event, the South African Innovation Week (SAIW). The incumbent will lead the development and execution of a national innovation platform that convenes government, industry, academia, investors, entrepreneurs, civil society, and international partners through a Quadruple Helix approach. The role requires strategic leadership, stakeholder management, programme development, sponsorship mobilisation, event operations oversight, communications coordination, and delivery of measurable ecosystem and socio-economic outcomes. The position will ensure the successful delivery of SAIW within a nine-month implementation period and support the establishment of SAIW as a sustainable annual national innovation platform.

Duration: Twelve (12) months fixed term contract

Minimum Requirements
Qualification

Bachelor’s Degree qualification in fields such as Innovation Management; Business Management; Public Administration; Economic Development; Engineering; Science and Technology Management or a related field.
Post-Graduate Degree qualification in fields such as Innovation Management; Business Management; Public Administration; Economic Development; Engineering; Science and Technology Management or a related field will be an added advantage.
Work Experience

Minimum 5 years managing large-scale national programmes, conferences or strategic initiatives.
Experience working within innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, research or economic development ecosystems.
Demonstrated stakeholder management experience.
Proven partnership and sponsorship mobilisation experience.
Experience managing multidisciplinary project teams. Budget management experience exceeding R10 million.
7 –10 years senior management experience.
Experience within the National System of Innovation.
Experience working with government entities and public sector governance environments will be an added advantage.
Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Perspective

Develop and manage the SAIW budget, financial plans, and cost frameworks.
Monitor expenditure and ensure alignment with approved budgets.
Implement financial controls and cost-management practices.
Coordinate financial reporting, forecasting, and expenditure analysis.
Monitor sponsorship income, partner contributions, and financial reconciliations.
Ensure value-for-money principles across all event activities.
Develop sponsorship strategies, value propositions, and partner engagement plans.
Stakeholder Relationship

Lead strategic engagement across the Quadruple Helix innovation ecosystem.
Secure participation and commitment from key national and international stakeholders.
Build and formalise partnerships with government, academia, industry, investors, and innovation intermediaries.
Negotiate partnership agreements and coordinate stakeholder engagement, communication, and collaboration.
Lead development of the SAIW marketing and communications strategy.
Coordinate media partnerships and promotional collaborations.
Drive stakeholder awareness and engagement through strategic communications platforms.
Secure and manage sponsorships and funding partnerships while tracking commitments, performance, and delivery of contractual benefits.
Internal Processes

A comprehensive, integrated implementation strategy is developed and executed to position SAIW as a premier national innovation event.
Programme governance structures are established, coordinated, and enabled to function effectively across all workstreams.
Strategic partnerships, stakeholder mobilisation, and ecosystem participation are secured across government, industry, academia, investors, and civil society.
Sponsorship mobilisation and resource acquisition targets are achieved to ensure financial sustainability and programme excellence.
High-quality programme content is curated to reflect national innovation priorities and showcase South African innovation excellence.
Monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and impact assessment processes provide clear visibility of programme performance, ecosystem outcomes, and national impact.
Lead the development and execution of the overarching SAIW implementation strategy.
Establish and maintain the programme governance framework and decision-making structures.
Develop and coordinate detailed project plans, implementation schedules, workstreams and integrated delivery timelines across event components.
Ensure strategic alignment with TIA priorities and national innovation objectives.
Lead steering committee engagements and governance forums.
Prepare strategic reports for EXCO, Board Committees, and national stakeholders.
Design and curate the full SAIW programme architecture.
Coordinate keynote speakers, panel discussions, masterclasses, and thematic sessions.
Develop thematic tracks aligned to national innovation priorities and emerging technology domains.
Coordinate innovation competitions, awards, pitch events, exhibitions, and showcases.
Ensure programme content reflects national priorities and ecosystem needs.
Oversee all event logistics, operational planning, and readiness activities.
Coordinate venue management, supplier engagement, and service provider operations.
Manage procurement, delegate services, and operational compliance while ensuring adherence to SCM, health, safety, security, and regulatory requirements.
Lead event delivery teams and oversee on-site execution.
Develop and implement the national decentralised activation strategy.
Position provincial activations as the build-up programme to the national festival.
Align activation activities with regional innovation priorities.
Mobilise provincial innovation stakeholders across government, academia, industry, and community networks.
Coordinate innovation showcases, demonstrations, dialogues, hackathons, and ecosystem tours.
Coordinate stakeholder participation, investor engagement, and provincial integration to showcase innovation and expand market opportunities.
Learning and Growth

Lead SAIW governance, risk, compliance, and performance management by coordinating governance structures, ensuring regulatory adherence, managing audit and risk processes, and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for continuous improvement.
The responsibilities listed are a summary and not exhaustive; the full role is detailed in the official job profile.

Click here to apply

Portfolio Manager: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Closing Date
2026/08/06
Reference Number
TIA260723-1
Job Title Portfolio Manager: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Job Type Classification Permanent
Location – Town / City Pretoria
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Job Advert Summary
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is a talent-driven, customer-centric, and impact-focused organisation committed to advancing technology innovation that delivers meaningful socio-economic outcomes. As part of this mission, TIA seeks to attract and retain high-performing professionals who embody teamwork, innovation, agility, customer focus, accountability, and a strong commitment to creating value. These attributes are cultivated to foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, impact, and responsibility.

In fulfilling its mandate, TIA provides both financial and non-financial support to innovators and enterprises, enabling the development and commercialisation of technologies that contribute to economic growth, improve quality of life, and promote environmental sustainability. The Agency is committed to transformation and supports the advancement of previously disadvantaged individuals in accordance with the Employment Equity Act, as amended.

Job Purpose:
To develop, manage, and support a portfolio of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) innovation projects and investments across the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Business Readiness Levels (BRLs), and Market Readiness Levels (MRLs), with the objective of accelerating successful commercialisation and maximising socio-economic impact.

Minimum Requirements
Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• A business-related qualification will be advantageous.
• A Master’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline will be an added advantage.

Experience

• Three (3)– five (5) years’ experience within an ICT research, development, and innovation environment.
• Three (3) – Five (5) years’ experience in the management, commercialisation, or investment of ICT innovations and technologies.

Knowledge and Technical Competencies
Strong understanding of technology development, innovation management, and investment trends within the ICT sector.
Knowledge of innovation funding mechanisms and support systems for emerging technologies.
Understanding of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and public sector governance requirements.
Knowledge of technology commercialisation, venture development, and innovation ecosystems.
Behavioural Competencies
Client and stakeholder focus
Innovation and continuous improvement
Strategic and analytical thinking

Duties and Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Management and Revenue Growth

• Support the Head of Division in the development of annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans for Executive Committee (EXCO) and Board approval.
• Monitor and track operational and project expenditure against approved budgets.
• Manage and oversee the timely disbursement of funding to ensure optimal execution of innovation projects.
• Identify new funding opportunities and facilitate the attraction of co-investment and third-party funding.
• Monitor and manage repayment obligations relating to equity, royalties, loans, and other investment instruments.

Stakeholder Management and Thought Leadership

• Contribute to the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies within the Strategic Technology Area (STA).
• Build and maintain strong relationships across the innovation ecosystem, including industry, academia, government, investors, and strategic partners.
• Represent TIA at conferences, workshops, industry forums, and stakeholder engagements by sharing expertise and contributing to thought leadership.
• Influence and contribute positively to the National System of Innovation (NSI) through strategic participation and expert input.

Governance, Compliance, and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all applicable TIA policies, frameworks, governance requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Promote adherence to organisational systems, processes, and controls.
• Ensure audit findings and portfolio-related compliance matters are addressed within agreed timelines.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date project information on the fund management and reporting systems.
• Prepare and submit timely, accurate, and high-quality reports in line with organisational requirements.

Innovation Funding and Pre-Commercialisation Support

• Support innovators and applicants in developing investment-ready and fundable opportunities.
• Assess investment opportunities and provide recommendations on funding decisions.
• Provide project management and technical support to funded projects to ensure achievement of agreed milestones and outcomes.
• Conduct technical and commercial due diligence on projects, programmes, and investment opportunities.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks while leveraging opportunities to optimise portfolio performance.
• Manage the full project lifecycle, from sourcing and evaluation to investment, monitoring, commercialisation, and exit.
• Facilitate the commercialisation of TIA-funded technologies and innovations.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of high-potential investment opportunities within strategic ICT technology domains.
• Deliver client-centric, value-adding portfolio and project management services.
• Drive continuous improvement of processes, systems, and portfolio management practices.

Learning and Growth

• Ensure clear understanding and achievement of agreed Key Performance Areas (KPAs) and performance targets.
• Monitor and evaluate performance against established standards and objectives.
• Demonstrate and promote TIA’s values and organisational culture.
• Identify and pursue professional development opportunities to enhance individual effectiveness and organisational performance.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and excellence.

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications