The African Centre for Cities (ACC) at the University of Cape Town invite applications for a full time Operations Manager for a two-year period.
We are looking for an experienced manager to work as part of the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI) Data Programme team, located within the African Centre for Cities (ACC). ACC was established in 2007 at the University of Cape Town as an urban research institute.
The ACC is based in the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, but is interdisciplinary in scope, drawing on expertise on urban issues from across the university. AMALI, located within ACC, focuses on supporting African Mayors in their legacy goals and involves in-depth and ongoing technical and skills support over the course of a calendar year. The AMALI Data Programme specifically focuses on supporting African mayors and their executive and data teams in the collection, analysis, and use of data necessary for effective decision making and reporting at a city-scale.
The AMALI Data Programme Operations Manager will be responsible for coordinating all activities of the AMALI Data Programme. This will involve supporting the planning of activities, overseeing processes both in relation to compliance and to ensure continuous improvements, and overseeing communications with stakeholders. The Operations Manager will also be responsible for routine internal reporting and monitoring and evaluation of Programme activities. They will also be responsible for navigating University systems to successfully support the implementation of the goals of the Programme.
The successful candidate will join a vibrant and growing AMALI Data Programme team located at ACC at the University of Cape Town. We are seeking to appoint a dynamic candidate a proven track record in managing complex and evolving systems.
Requirements for the position:
• An appropriate NQF6 or NQF7 level qualification such as a Bachelor’s degree either in Business Management, Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years relevant managerial experience and experience managing complex projects and working to support teams.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to work independently in a pressurized environment.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Computer literacy, including high level proficiency in MS Excel and related programmes.
• An ability to interact well with individuals from diverse professional and non-professional backgrounds, including internal (UCT) and external stakeholders.
• An ability to exercise judgement and work with minimal supervision.
• A commitment to the provision of excellent service in a cross-cultural environment.
• Ability to inspire trust and work collegially with staff and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership, planning, change management, process improvement skills, and monitoring and evaluation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve consensus and influence a wide range of people at various levels to achieve results in a collaborative decision-making environment.
• Ability to exercise administrative judgement and assume responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results having an impact on people, costs, and/or quality of service within an organisation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating tact and diplomacy to consistently interact effectively and flexibly with diverse groups of people.
• A proven track record of showing initiative, firmness, integrity, responsibility, accountability and an eye for detail.
• Fluency in French would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of UCT systems/procedures and urban issues in Africa would also be an advantage.
• A post-graduate qualification would be an advantage.
To apply, please e-mail the below documents in a single pdf file to Ulpha Ismail at: ulpha.ismail@uct.ac.za
– UCT Application Form (download at http://forms.uct.ac.za/hr201.doc)
– A 1-2-page motivation letter specifying the relevance of experience for the position.
– A detailed curriculum vitae. An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete and might not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may be required to undergo competency assessments.
Telephone: 021 650 2881
Website: www.africancentreforcities.net
Reference number: E23831
Closing date: 25 September 2023