JOB VACANCY: DIRECTOR, BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION & DEVELOPMENT
Duty Station: Harare, Zimbabwe
Position: DIRECTOR, BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION & DEVELOPMENT
Reports To: DIRECTOR GENERAL
Job Type: Contract
Available Slots: 1
Application Deadline: 30 September 2023
Duration of Appointment: Fixed-term contract of five (5) years (renewable once, subject to satisfactory performance)
Nationality: To be eligible for appointment, candidates must be nationals of a Member State of the Organization
Job Purpose
Direct and oversee ARIPO’s strategic and long-range goal formulation and implementation function. Coordinate activities of the Organization’s strategic plan. Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy to exploit current and potential business opportunities aimed at acquiring new Users of the ARIPO system, Member States, and to grow the market share, drive digital transformation and organizational value optimisation in line with the growth and sustainability objectives. Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the following strategic business units: (a) ARIPO Academy, (b) Strategy, Business Development & Research, and (c) Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
Key Result Areas
• Corporate strategy definition and implementation
• Business transformation and development
• Advisory and Technical Support Services
• Digital data and transformation
• Research and Development
• Performance Management
Principal Duties
1. Analyze data on strategic priorities, global IP insights, operational performance, innovation, markets, etc., to develop strategic options.
2. Champion the development and execution of the strategic plan for the organization accompanied by annual programmes of activity and workplans.
3. Disseminate the strategic vision across all directorates and departments to ensure alignment with the strategic mandate of ARIPO.
4. Monitor and track ARIPO key performance indicators (KPIs) to report on execution against goals and targets on a quarterly basis to ensure consistency and inform relevant interventions.
5. Develop and execute the business development plan to generate incremental revenue.
6. Perform evidence-based analysis to assess the performance vs potential of the existing Industrial Property Protocols and identify business development opportunities and develop appropriate strategies to drive sustainable financial growth.
7. Engage with IP stakeholders within the African continent and beyond, including Member States, research institutions, inventors, creators, SMEs, etc., to position ARIPO as a vibrant regional system for the protection and commercialisation of IP.
8. Oversee the incubation and maturity of ARIPO Protocols pending their entry into force.
9. Proactively build and develop strategic partnerships to create revenue generation opportunities for the organization and to support the strategy and vision.
10. Coordinate the provision of advisory expertise on the development of national IP policies and strategies.
11. Layout the framework for the design, development and implementation of business-friendly ICT tools and capacity building literature for using the IP system to support business competitiveness.
12. Oversee the development of IP business solutions, tools, and materials to facilitate the effective and efficient use of the ARIPO system by Member States and Users.
13. Direct the integration of digital data and emerging technologies to integrate and streamline internal business processes to support execution of strategic action plans.
14. Develop and implement policies, strategies and initiatives that guide the planning, acquisition, deployment, and enhancement of ICT infrastructure and cybersecurity.
15. Lead research to inform modifications and improvements to the existing IP protocols and services to address client and User requirements and exploit potential revenue streams.
16. Lead the development of strategies and projects to secure funding for the provision of technical support to research institutions, universities, innovators, and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to ensure the commercialization of IP for business growth.
17. Cascade the directorate scorecard into executable deliverables for all positions within the directorate and oversee periodic reporting.
18. Monitor the performance indicators of the directorate and prepare quarterly reports on the directorate’s scorecard progress for incorporation into ARIPO performance report.
Qualification and Experience
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration/Strategic Management/related field.
• Bachelor Degree in Business Studies/Laws/ICT.
• A professional qualification in Project Management is an added advantage.
• 10 years relevant experience, 7 years of which must be at senior management level.
• Experience in the Intellectual Property field is an added advantage.
Competencies and Skills required
• Strong independent judgement, organizing, problem solving, analysis and decision-making skills in a fast-paced work environment.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, relationship building and reporting skills.
• Strong change management, leadership, creativity, transformation, and innovation capability.
• Strong, positive track-record of innovation and collaboration – able to work with diverse teams in diverse locations, engaging their input and commitment to success.
• A systematic approach to work maintaining accountability, plans and demonstrations of success.
• History of developing and mentoring teams and communicating vision to directors and executive leadership.
• Excellent communication skills; written, oral and listening.
• Creative, innovative, and agile with the ability to think outside the box.
• High level proficiency in Excel skills.
Conditions Of Employment
Salary and allowances on first appointment shall be those applicable to Grade D1 Step 1 of the ARIPO salary scales of the professional category.
Base Salary: US$71,545 per annum.
Post Adjustment Allowance: 50.8% of base salary (This depends on the rise and fall in value of the United States dollar).
Dependency Allowances: US$1,800 per year for a dependent child. Maximum number of children three (3).
Other benefits include:
• Payment of travel and removal expenses;
• Once-off installation grant;
• Education grant of US$9,000 per year for each eligible dependent child up to a maximum of three children;
• Housing allowance;
• Contributory medical aid scheme;
• 30 days annual leave; and
• Paid home leave every two years.
Medical examination: The appointment is subject to a satisfactory United Nations type medical examination to be conducted by an ARIPO nominated medical practitioner.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.