Purpose of job

Under the general supervision of the CEO, s/he is responsible for developing and implementing ZGF’s growth and sustainability strategy with focus on social enterprise development.

Main duties

1. In collaboration with other managers, s/he develops ZGF medium and long-term growth and sustainability strategic and business plans and ensure that ZGF remain focused on its long term goals and objectives.
2. S/he conducts environmental assessments in order to generate up-to-date knowledge and information about the context in which ZGF is working, identifies opportunities and uses the information to develop action plans that support organisational growth and sustainability.
3. Conducts a situation analysis of ZGF focusing on opportunities and threats to assist in the development of a focused and results-oriented strategic and business direction of the Foundation.
4. Screens potential new markets and business opportunities for the Foundation’s social enterprise ventures by analysing current market trends, business requirements and financial options.
5. Develops strategies and partnerships to grow the client base for services and/or products to be offered by the Foundation.
6. Develops operations for the Foundation’s social enterprise ventures with a focus on optimizing internal business processes, customer satisfaction, and employee growth and development.
7. Continuously assesses the viability of the business model and refines the business plan with lessons learned from ongoing operations.
8. Seeks inputs from other senior managers and compiles overall ZGF performance reports for different users according to agreed formats and intervals and submits the report to CEO who takes appropriate action.
9. Builds networks and maintains positive relationships and communication with relevant Government departments, private sector organisations, national and international non-governmental organisations to promote the work and image of the Foundation.
10. Effectively manages the development of direct reports, linking performance management and training and development to achieve optimum performance
11. Keeps abreast of developments in area of specialization in order to continue to provide services to the highest ethical and professional standards
12. Carries out any related tasks that the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time reasonably request

Education and training:

• An ability to perform higher level specialised work requiring full professional qualification or an appropriate master’s degree such as business administration, NGO management, project management, economics, public relations, marketing or equivalent;
• Strong project management skills and experience in developing detailed business operating systems and procedures;
• A proven ability to plan for, implement and oversee the achievement of business targets in line with a given budget.
• Experience in managing stakeholder relations (donor relations, private and philanthropic sector relations).
• An ability to work productively and adaptively in a non-profit / non-corporate environment, while instilling an operational culture of efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills and report-writing experience.

Decision making: Decisions within set practice or procedure that may lead to significant changes to practice or procedure in an operational area. This includes making decisions or choice of strategic alliances and partnerships, decisions are guided by internal policies and procedures although sometimes guided by precedents; there is very little freedom to depart from policy guidelines but may influence changes to internal policy and programming.

Work complexity: Carries out work involving a wide range of issues requiring complex judgements based on advanced analytical and innovative thought often involving complex and/or conflicting information. The responsibility for developing institutional growth and sustainability strategy involve critical and analytical thinking, making a choice between a range of alternatives in a dynamic environment

Responsibility for resources: Supervises junior managerial level staff covering an operational or support area; Establishes priorities, work schedules and performance standards for those under charge; has responsibility for managing unit budget.

Representation: Contact with top management of outside bodies or committees, giving specialist advice, enlisting participation or support for ZGF and committing ZGF to a course of action but not involving financial commitment.

Physical environment: Office environment, occasionally on road on programme activities
Work experience: 6 years relevant experience