Southern African Development Community Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI) Openings 2024

The Southern African Development Community Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI), a subsidiary of the SADC Secretariat structure was recently established as a regional center of excellence on groundwater hosted by the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa on behalf of and under the strategic guidance of the SADC Secretariat, Directorate of Infrastructure and Services – Water Division, in Gaborone, Botswana.

SADC-GMI seeks to appoint two Independent Non-Executive Directors to hold the following portfolios on the SADC-BMI Board:
Job Title: Non-Executive Director: Finance & Operations Management

To assist with the oversight and guidance of SADC-GMI’s financial management and operational issues at the level of the Board.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

Advising the Executive Director and the Board on the elaboration, adoption and implementation of policies related to financial management, human resources management and development as well as other general operational procedures, guidelines and blueprints.
Assisting the company to identify and comply with different policies, legislation and guidelines governing its operations in South Africa
Serving as Chair of the company’s Audit Committee and Finance Committee
Serving as the key resource person in the Board on issues regarding finance and the general operational management of the company

The ideal Non-Executive Director: Finance & Operations Management must meet the following criteria:

Outstanding leadership, teamwork, listening and influencing skills
Previous board level experience with specific experience in the NPO/NPC environment highly regarded
Experience in at least one of the following areas is mandatory: financial management, auditing and finance
Experience in the following areas is additional and highly regarded: operations management, human resources management, risk management
Open mindedness and willingness to engage with a wide stakeholder group from diverse national, regional and professional backgrounds
Proven corporate governance skills
Expertise level understanding of audit, finance and operations management practices and standards relevant as will be applicable to a regional NPC like SADC-GMI

Job Title: Non-Executive Director: Business Development
The Independent Non-Executive Director – Business Development will be appointed to lead the Business Development Strategy of the Company.
Key responsibilities of this position include:

Advising the Executive Director and the Board on the review, implementation and monitoring of the SADC-GMI Strategic and Financial Sustainability Plan (2024/2025 – 2024/2025)
Supporting the SADC-GMI Communications Strategy to enhance “Centre of Excellence” branding in order to improve the value proposition for different potential stakeholders, partners and financiers; Identify opportunities and guide SADC-GMI to develop appropriate documentation for accessing financial resources and secure short- and long-term sponsorship and project funding opportunities
Enhancing the establishment and maintenance of relationships with partners, stakeholders, Member States and individuals operating within the same industry sector as will be necessary to establish and maintain a niche market for SADC-GMI
Assisting the Board of Directors to oversee the ethical and sustainable business development for SADC-GMI
Chairing the Business Development Committee and any other committee or sub-committees in order to discharge any specific tasks as assigned by the SADC-GMI Board of Directors to enhance good corporate governance

The ideal Non-Executive Director: Business Development Independent must meet the following criteria:

Ability to network with Cooperating Partners, NGO’s, Senior Civil Servants, Ambassador’s and Directors of Private Sector Companies
Outstanding leadership, teamwork, listening and influencing skills
Previous board level experience with specific experience in the NPO/NPC environment highly regarded
Experience in at least one of the following areas: business development, marketing, organisational development, financial management, entrepreneurship, etc.
Sound judgment, analysis and decision making skills; and the ability to provide a challenging and supportive role to the Executive Director and other senior team members
Open mindedness and willingness to engage with a wide stakeholder group from diverse national, regional and professional backgrounds
Proven corporate governance skills
A good track record of delivery at board level and the skills to represent and promote the company
At least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such business administration/management, marketing, organizational development, strategy development, finance, entrepreneurship, or similar
A firm understanding of resources mobilization practices and standards relevant and how to apply them for a regional NPC like SADC-GMI

Both Independent Non-Executive Directors should be familiar with the water sector, and particularly the groundwater sector as it applies to SADC-GMI and the implications on competitiveness and financial sustainability is highly regarded and have a clear understanding of the SADC structures and systems
Time commitment and compensation

The SADC-GMI Board of Directors meets up to four times each year (ideally in March, June, September and December) and the Independent Non-Executive Director should attend all the meetings.
These Independent Non-Executive Directors will be appointed for an initial 3 year term, which may be renewed by mutual consent.
These voluntary positions are not remunerated other than for reimbursement of travel expenses to attend board meetings and events and the payment of a sitting allowance for each Board meeting/event attended determined by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Applicants must be nationals of one of the SADC Member States and qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates can view the full job description and application instructions at www.actionappointments.co.za and send a CV and motivation letter by 1^st March 2024 to tracy@actionappointments.co.za