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MINING QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY (MQA) VACANCIES
MINING QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY (MQA)
MANAGER: INNOVATION
Paterson Grade: D3
Duration: 3 Years Fixed Contract
Remuneration: R1, 058, 580.31 CTC (plus a possible 20% performance bonus)
The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) operating under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The MQA is mandated by the Skills Development Act (SDA) 97 of 1998 to drive skills development within the mining and minerals sector (MMS). Its scope covers a diverse range of sub-sectors, including Coal Mining, Gold Mining, Platinum Group Metals (PGM) Mining, Diamond Mining, other mining commodities, Cement, Lime, Aggregates, and Sand, as well as services related to the mining industry, Diamond Processing, and Jewellery Manufacturing.
The MQA requires the services of the Manager: Innovation on 3 years fixed term contract.
Role Purpose:
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer: the incumbent in this position should drive innovation in MQA as well as ensure that an innovation strategy is developed, and it aligns with MQA’s strategy and the overall vision. He or She will be responsible for the implementation of the strategy within organisation. The incumbent will also be required to ensure the effective coordination and execution all projects of the MQA.
The incumbent will report to the Senior Manager: Learning Programmes Operations in respect of the functions related to the Artisan Hub.
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:
Innovation: Develop and execute a strategy to integrate innovation into MQA’s processes, leveraging emerging trends, digital tools and best practices. Drive innovation across the organization by fostering a culture of creativity, leading idea generation, and ensuring the successful implementation and scaling of innovative solutions. Establish strategic partnerships and implement digital solutions to improve efficiency, engage stakeholders, and reduce risks through the launch of innovative projects. Drive Strategic and transformative initiatives and champion innovation in the MQA. Champion a thriving innovation culture within MQA, and form engagement platforms to ensure that the whole of MQA gets motivated and excited about new innovative and digitization projects. Identify new innovative areas that will improve MQA’s performance and responsiveness in artisan skills delivery mandate. Ensures that the innovation strategy for MQA is developed and implemented as planned.
Artisan Development Hub: Implement the deliverables of the Board approved Artisan hub and Innovation Concept Document. Establish projects and incubators to deliver Master Artisans. Establish an initiative to offer entrepreneurship training. Artisan Alumni establishment and management. Initiation of artisan workplace coaches and mentoring model. Implement all other initiative on the approved concept document.
Including benchmarking, establishment of industry-based artisan Centres of Specialisation, advocacy and marketing, promotion of the registration of artisans on the National Register, ensure sector participation in the World Skills SA initiative, initiate an international linkages programme, upskilling of qualified artisans, issuing of toolboxes, etc.
Project Management: Initiate projects related innovation in the MQA. Plan and design the projects in line with the established Project Management Body of Knowledge. Execute projects on time, within budget and satisfactory quality. Monitor project implementation and facilitate project closures. Report on all projects implemented in line with the MQA reporting protocols. Procure the required service providers to meet project objectives. Formulate contractual service agreements with service providers. Monitor implementation of service level agreements with contractors.
Artisan Development Research: Lead research initiatives in collaboration with the MQA research unit to identify emerging trends, best practices, and technological advancements that drive artisan development. Conduct benchmarking studies to evaluate global and industry-leading models on Artisan Development. Analyse research findings to develop and implement innovative solutions, optimize training methodologies, and enhance project efficiency related to Artisan Development. Foster collaboration with academic institutions, industry experts, and stakeholders to continuously refine and improve artisan development and innovation-driven strategies within the organization.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagements: Create opportunities and manage memorandum of agreements between the MQA and its partners. Actively build and nurture professional partnerships and working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, displaying excellent abilities to listen, advise, consult, influence, negotiate and present at all levels. Ensure there is a structured communication protocol for engaging with stakeholders and managing feedback loops. Developing of advocacy and marketing campaign documents and programmes.
Risk Management and Compliance: Demonstrate the ability to manage risk associated with innovation. Identify and evaluate the risks associated with unit activities and take appropriate action to mitigate and control the risks. Prepare management responses about internal and external audit findings relating to projects and implement remedial actions for the unit. Coordinate submissions of responses and evidence for the Unit.
Quality Management System: Manage unit ‘s contribution to maintain the ISO certification for the organisation Lead and direct the implementation of all projects in line with the approved policies, processes, and procedures. Prepare reports in line with the MQA’s governance framework and submit to the relevant structures. Prepare standards Operating Procedures for the processes of the unit.
Financial Management: Develop, manage, and oversee the efficient utilisation of the project budget. Reconcile projects with the commitment register. Ensure that the projects operate within the approved budget and in line with valid legal contracts.
Administration: Manage contract related to the artisan hub and innovation initiatives. Manage the development and submission of performance information and project reports. Manage the electronicand manual filing of documents within the unit. Create a centralised document management system for all project information under the control of the Innovation unit.
People Management: Establish a continuous learning environment to keep the project team updated on emerging trends and technologies. Ensure that the performance contracts are in place before the beginning of each financial year. Ensure that reviews are conducted in line with the MQA performance management policy.
Key requirements: qualifications, experience, and competencies Qualifications:
- A qualification in Innovation at NQF Level 6 or higher is
- Where candidates have a Bachelor’s degree in STEM related programmes (Technology Management/Data Science/Computer Science/Information Systems or Engineering at (NQF 7), a short course or professional certificate in Innovation, Innovation Management, Design Thinking, or Strategic Innovation is required
- Minimum 8 years’ professional experience in public or private sector including leadership, general management and operational responsibility.
- The experience must include:
- At least 4 years’ experience as a middle manager (managing others) in a corporate or public sector environment.
- Proven track record in conceptualising, leading, and implementing innovation initiatives is required.
- Knowledge of Government Legislation, Regulations, Policies and Procedures, Corporate Governance Framework.
- Knowledge of Artisan Development System within the South African PSET system will be an added advantage.
- Project Management, Research, Contract Management, Communication and Presentation skills, People and leadership skills, Strong analytical and technical abilities, Report Writing, Innovation
- Emotional Intelligence, Stakeholder Orientation, Resilience, Situational sensitivity, Decisiveness, and People Orientation, be able to Lead & Motivate, Ethical, High Level of Integrity, and
- Self-driven Computer skills • Time management • Report writing skills • Leadership skills
The candidate should also be willing to:
Work under pressure inclusive of longer than normal office hours. • Work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. • Engage in a lifelong learning process relative to the context of the workplace. Willing to travel to different sites.
Closing Date: 28 November 2025. Late applications will not be considered.
Interested candidates should submit their applications which shall consist of a comprehensive curriculum vitae, certified copies of their qualifications, a valid drivers’ licence, and valid proof of identification.
Suitably qualified and experienced candidates can apply online at www.cvspaces.co.za
The MQA is an Equal Opportunity Employer; therefore, the filling of the position will be in line with its Employment Equity Plan. Preference will be given to Male (African, Indian, White, Coloured) and Female (Indian, White, Coloured) and disabled candidates.
Recommended candidates will be expected to undergo a professional competency assessment and vetting processes.
Successful applicant will be required to disclose their financial interest.
Should you not hear from the MQA within 4 weeks of the closing date, you must regard your application as unsuccessful.