Enterprise Development Officer Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (80%) JUST SA (20%)

Reports to: Programme Director JUST SA

Duration: Until – 30 June 2026 (with possibility of extension)

Duty Station: MGCA, Mpumalanga

BACKGROUND

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is leading the JUST SA consortium, comprising five local implementing partners: GreenCape, TIPS, NBI, WWF and Yes4Youth. The 5-year JUST SA project is commissioned through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

JUST SA supports the implementation of pathways towards a Just Transition in South Africa towards an environmentally sustainable, climate-change resilient, low-carbon economy and just society. At the regional level, JUST SA assists the Mpumalanga provincial government in formulating a concrete, sustainable and just green economy transition plan for a diversified regional economy, which covers skills pathways development and finance mechanisms. JUST SA cooperates closely with the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency. In this context JUST SA is seconding a Technical Advisor to the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency.

The Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA) employs the triple helix cluster model with representation from Government, Industry, and Academia as part of its design setup. The cluster works at the interface between business, government, and academia in order to identify and remove barriers to economically viable green economy catalysing its uptake to enable the region and its citizens to prosper.

MGCA is a non-profit organisation that works to advance a sustainable and inclusive green economy and create shared value in the Mpumalanga province. MGCA works both at the micro and macro level supporting green-tech SMEs build their businesses, enabling bigger businesses to improve their environmental footprint, and assisting the provincial government to create the right environment for a more resilient green economy. Ultimately, MGCA is helping to facilitate more investment, ecosystem building and stimulate job creation into Mpumalanga’s green economy.

Enterprise Development Officer: Responsibilities and Tasks - see full job description below

TASKS

The Enterprise Development Officer is expected to undertake the following tasks:

Strategic Development:

  • Develop and execute strategic plans to establish and grow MGCA’s business functions.
  • Identify new business opportunities, secure funding, and partnerships that align with MGCA’s mission.
  • Propose and evaluate new business models that can support the sustainable growth of MGCA and its partners. This could involve developing innovative ways to deliver services, creating value propositions for different stakeholders, and exploring new revenue streams.
  • Align the MGCA business model with local economic development policies in the region.

Funding and Investment:

  • Lead efforts to identify, negotiate, and secure funding and investment for MGCA initiatives and projects.
  • Prepare and present business cases and proposals to potential investors and funding bodies.

Cluster Engagement:

  • Facilitate collaboration and partnerships among the triple helix cluster members (Government, Industry, and Academia) to advance MGCA’s objectives.
  • Work closely with stakeholders to identify and overcome barriers to the green economy, ensuring the region's economic and environmental prosperity.

Support to MGCA’s partnerships and work in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector:

  • Develop, execute, and oversee a business strategy that prioritizes growth and positive ratings for MGCA’s partnerships in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector.
  • Maintain positive professional relationships with SME’s.
  • Conduct high-level industry research to identify new business opportunities for SME’s - including new markets, growth areas, trends, customers, partnerships, products and services - or new ways of reaching existing markets.
  • Conduct high-level industry research to develop effective business strategies and revenue generating solutions for partnerships in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector
  • Promote SME’s products or services to prospective investors and funding entities.  
  • Identifying market opportunities for SMEs through meetings, networking and other channels.
  • Participate in collaborative business meetings to update key stakeholders involved in the development of MGCA’s SME’s partnerships and meet with existing and potential clients and markets for SME’s.
  • Review contracts for SMEs to ensure they meet legal and corporate guidelines.
  • Review and develop Business Plans of MGCA’s partnerships in the SME sector to ensure business growth and optimal access to funding opportunities for SME’s. 
  • Creating development plans, financial forecasts, cash flow projections and growth projections for SME’s.
  • Attending events such as exhibitions and conferences where appropriate and required.
  • Assist in preparation of SMEs for participation in investor conferences and business pitch opportunities and MGCA organized and other related pitch challenge events.
  • Generate funding leads, scrutinize market opportunities, and identify funding opportunities for SME’s.
  • Write and develop funding proposals for SME’s.
  • Producing required reports for management.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Suitable candidates should apply by submitting:

  • A motivation letter (max. 1 page) stating why they should be the preferred candidate and the value added they will bring to the project.
  • A detailed CV indicating their residency status

Internal Applicants ONLY should submit application to: recruit-pretoria@giz.de with the email subject line “Application for MGCA Enterprise Development Officer Position”, for the attention of Head of Human Resources.

External Applicants should submit their application by following this link:   Applications for MGCA Enterprise Development officer

Closing date for applications: 18 June 2024

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applications without a motivation letter will not be considered!