About the Role
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism is seeking a dedicated and experienced individual for the position of Director: SMME & Cooperative Support, based in the vibrant city of Johannesburg. This role plays a critical part in shaping the economic landscape of Gauteng, focusing on the development and support of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and cooperatives. By implementing strategic initiatives, you will be instrumental in fostering entrepreneurship and driving sustainable economic growth within the community.
As the Director, you will lead the development of strategies that align with the broader economic development goals of the province. Your efforts will directly contribute to empowering local businesses, creating job opportunities, and enhancing the overall economic resilience of the region. This is not just a job; it’s a chance to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and communities throughout Gauteng.
About the Department
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism is committed to promoting a thriving economy in Gauteng, which is the economic heart of South Africa. The department’s mission is to create an environment conducive to growth and innovation in the SMME sector, ensuring that businesses can flourish and contribute to a more sustainable economy. Working in this department means being part of a dynamic team focused on driving transformation and enhancing livelihoods through inclusive economic policies and support services.
What You’ll Do
- Develop and oversee the SMME development strategy for the Gauteng economy.
- Lead the implementation and reporting of the SMME development strategy province-wide.
- Align SMME and cooperative policies with economic development strategies.
- Champion the Township Economic Development Act to stimulate local economies.
- Identify priority sectors for targeted support and investment to foster entrepreneurship.
- Create incentive schemes to encourage cooperative formation and business growth.
- Foster partnerships between SMMEs, cooperatives, and value chains for enhanced collaboration.
- Measure the economic impact of initiatives on job creation and productivity.
- Conduct needs assessments to identify necessary non-financial support for SMMEs.
- Develop strategic partnerships with various stakeholders to enhance support services.
- Implement training programs focusing on business management and compliance.
- Facilitate outreach campaigns to inform SMMEs and cooperatives about available resources.
- Manage financial and asset functions within the department effectively.
What You’ll Need
- NQF Level 7 qualification in Economics, Development Studies, Business Management, Public Administration, or Public Management.
- Nyukela Certificate for entry into Senior Management Services from the National School of Government (to be submitted prior to appointment).
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in middle or senior management within the SMME and cooperative environment.
- Valid Code 8 or 10 driver’s license.
How to Apply
Please forward your application, quoting the relevant reference number, to the link quoted in the specific advertisement below.
Requirements
NQF Level 7 in Economics/Development Studies / Business Management / Public Administration / Public Management qualifications Nyukela Certificate for entry into SMS (Senior Management Service) from the National School of Government submitted prior to appointment.A minimum of 5 years’ experience at middle/ senior management level in SMMEs and Co-operatives environment.
Code 8/10.
Job Duties
Develop the SMME development strategy for the GCR economy.Lead and report on the implementation of the SMME development strategy across the province.
Align SMME and Co-operative policies with broader economic development strategies.
Champion the implementation of the Township Economic Development Act.
Identify priority sectors for targeted support and investment.
Develop incentive schemes to stimulate entrepreneurship and co- operative formation.
Integrate policies with local economic development (LED) initiatives.
Foster linkages between SMMEs, Co-operatives, and value chains.
Measure economic impact through job creation, income generation, and productivity.
Use data analytics to refine strategies and scale successful interventions.
Conduct needs assessment to identify the specific non-financial support services required by SMMEs and Co-operatives.
Develop strategic partnerships with government agencies, private sector entities, and non-profit services for SMMEs and Co-operatives organizations to deliver a diverse range of support services.
Create a centralised platform that provides easy access to information and resources related to non-financial support services.
Implement targeted training programs and workshops focusing on business management, marketing, legal compliance, and other relevant areas.
Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system to assess the impact of support services and refine them based on feedback and performance data.
Launch outreach and awareness campaigns using multiple communication channels to ensure SMMEs and Co-operatives are informed about available support services.
Leverage government grants, private sector investment, and donor funding to ensure sustainable financial support for incubators.
Engage industry professionals and successful entrepreneurs to mentor and advise incubated SMMEs and Co-operatives.
Offer targeted training, workshops, and seminars on business planning, marketing, compliance, and financial literacy.
Track performance and growth of incubated enterprises to tailor support and improve incubator effectiveness.
Facilitate networks among incubators to exchange best practices, share resources, and replicate successful models.
Lead 212 outreach programmes to identify and support emerging community enterprises.
Provide localised training tailored to rural and underserved areas.
Establish community enterprise hubs for shared resources and collaboration.
Promote youth and women participation in enterprise development.
Facilitate partnerships with local municipalities and development agencies.
Support community-led sustainability initiatives.
Track social impact metrics to guide future interventions.
Strengthen evidence-based decision-making and innovation.
Partner with universities and think tanks to conduct sector studies, impact assessments, and policy research.
Create platforms for SMMEs and Co-operatives to connect with investors, suppliers, and customers.
Use surveys, interviews, or focus groups to understand stakeholder needs and improve engagement strategies.
Partner with government departments, NGOs, and private sector entities to pool resources and align efforts.
Perform strategic and operational planning.
Oversee the administrative support functions.
Perform people management functions.
Perform financial management functions.
Perform asset management functions.
