POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER, INNOVATION BRIDGE (IB) TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE AND MATCH MAKING EVENT 12 MONTHS FIXED TERM CONTRACT

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1 POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER, INNOVATION BRIDGE (IB) TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE AND MATCH MAKING EVENT 12 MONTHS FIXED TERM CONTRACT REPORTING TO HEAD: STRATEGIC STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS REF: TIA 02/05/2016 The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is looking to fill a twelve (12) month contract position in support of the planning and implementation of the 2017 Innovation Bridge (IB) Technology Showcase and Matchmaking Event. The IB is a biennial technology showcase event that serves as a platform for enabling linkages and networking between South African, regional and international technology innovators, industry and public and private technology development and commercialisation funding partners. The IB is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which was inaugurated in 2015 and will be managed through the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and other implementation partners in IB events are aimed at encouraging and accelerating the utilisation and commercialisation of existing and new knowledge and technologies that have been 1 P a g e

2 developed in South African research and technology development institutions that are supported by public funds. It is the focus on publicly funded research and technology development that fundamentally differentiates the IB from other innovation and technology conferences and exhibitions that have been hosted in the country to date. In 2015, the two-day event provided an excellent opportunity for technology-based companies, entrepreneurs, research institutes, science councils, financiers, and public and private sector representatives to scout for new technology solutions, new collaboration partnerships and new investment opportunities. Over 90 innovations, from more than 35 publicly funded organisations, were exhibited at the event. This included the latest technologies from some of South Africa s top research and technology development support institutions, including 16 universities, 14 TIAsupported companies, 6 science councils, and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). The 2017 IB will also be held over two days with a view to serving as an even larger platform for: a) Publicly funded researchers, innovators, technology developers and entrepreneurs to present their technology innovation offerings. b) Publicly funded researchers, innovators, technology developers and entrepreneurs to meet potential technology development and manufacturing partners, funders and financiers. c) Networking between stakeholders, including techno-entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, technology developers, policy makers, government officials and manufacturers. d) Government and industry to be exposed to potential technology solutions and to review their problems with researchers, innovators and technology developers with the hope of sourcing potential solutions. e) Providing a source of market information and business intelligence to strengthen government and private sector partnerships and initiatives. 2 P a g e

3 f) Industry representatives to share insights and advise on industry, market and technology trends and needs into the future which could inform technology innovations areas for considerations. The ideal candidate for the IB Project Manager role will be an experienced, take charge professional with the ability to manage numerous activities related to the 2017 IB event planning, implementation and close-out reporting. The IB Project Manager must be able to anticipate project needs, discern work priorities, meet deadlines with little supervision and be willing to work under pressure. The IB Project Manager will work directly with the 2017 IB implementing partners (i.e. the DST, TIA, and the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO)), and will manage and oversee the project deliverables of all of the sub-contracted service providers, including the event coordinator. Key Responsibilities: The 2017 IB Event Project Manager will be responsible for activities pertaining to the implementation and reporting of the 2017 IB event. The Project Manager will therefore be required to, among other things: 1. Provide Secretariat support to the IB Steering and Operations Committees by arranging and attending all meetings of the Committees, and other implementation support partners as required. This will include making arrangements for such meetings, Minute taking and distribution, as well as, tracking and ensuring the implementation of decisions taken at such meetings. 2. Provide the central coordination and interface for all sub-contracted services, (including ensuring timeous payments of all accounts and proper record keeping and management thereof), which will include, among others: 3 P a g e

4 a) Event management b) Marketing material design and production c) Training and support d) Communication (as required) e) Other activities as may be identified. 3. In collaboration with the DST, develop and manage the showcase event contacts and information database, including, for example, taking responsibility for database management and maintaining a full and comprehensive exhibitor and visitor database, the proprietary rights of which will remain vested in the DST. 4. Support in the stakeholder engagements pre-, during and post-event. This will include overseeing and coordinating the development of content for all stakeholder engagements (e.g. exhibitor and sales brochures, as well as, letters of invitation and fact sheets for IB patrons and other stakeholders). This will also include documenting activities prior to and during the event for the purposes of internal and external communications. 5. Track and report on all aspects relating to the 2017 IB project budget. 7. Receive, review, and distribute all incoming correspondence and documents to the relevant implementation and other project partners for action. 8. Organise and maintain an efficient filing system for correspondence records, reference data, reports, and any other project specific sensitive information. 9. Interact and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders with regard to the IB event and where necessary delegate some tasks to relevant individuals for action. 10. Propose new ideas to improve the event planning and implementation process. 4 P a g e

5 11. Conduct research, undertake site visits, and help the implementing partners make decisions about event opportunities and options. 12. Assist with preparing project plan updates and provide periodic progress reports to the IB steering committee and the implementing partners. 13. Assist with post event support activities such as monitoring and evaluation of the IB event and compiling of the IB event report. Experience and Requirements: The IB Project Manager should have a passion for and experience with event management; continuously strive to provide outstanding customer service; is an enthusiastic professional who is comfortable speaking in public, and is able to build relationships with internal and external customers. The 2017 IB Project Manager must also have the following experience and expertise: 1. Demonstrated experience (with a minimum of 5 years experience) in project coordination and management in a multi stakeholder environment. 2. Be in a position to assume work immediately after appointment. 3. Strong oral and written communication skills. 4. Highly motivated, confident and able to work without direct supervision. 5. Ability to work well in a team environment and to perform under pressure against tight deadlines. 6. Professional approach, good judgment and a creative problem-solver. 7. Highly organised and attentive to detail. 8. Knowledge of building business information and management systems. 5 P a g e

6 SKILLS: 1. Project coordination and financial management. 2. Advanced communication skills. 3. Stakeholder relationship management. 4. Planning, implementation and evaluation. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: 1. High degree of motivation and initiative. 2. Ability to participate as a member of, cross functional and multidisciplinary teams. 3. Ability to work under pressure. 4. Ability to work with a range of diverse stakeholders and to manage potential conflict. Interested candidates are invited to submit detailed curriculum vitae to the following address: recruit@tia.org.za by no later than 20 May 2016 at 17h00. Kindly quote the reference number in all correspondence. Feedback will be provided to the shortlisted candidates. Important notes: If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please regard your application as unsuccessful Correspondence will be entered into with short-listed candidates only Technology Innovation Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment Appointment is subject to the signing of a performance agreement, Confidentiality Agreement and verification of the applicant s documents and reference checking Applications received after the closing date will not be considered Please clearly indicate the reference number of the position you apply for in your application. 6 P a g e