WESTERN CAPE INVESTMENT AND TRADE PROMOTION AGENCY (WESGRO) VACANCIES

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GREEN ECONOMY SPECIALIST
Wesgro is recruiting for a seasoned professional with private sector experience.
This is a three-year contractual position subject to the successful candidate signing a performance agreement. A probation period applies.
An all-inclusive market-related remuneration package will apply.
Reference Number: GES/22
 
The Western Cape is a leading regional economy. As Green Economy Specialist you’ll be instrumental in positioning the Western Cape as a leader in the Green Economy, by building relationships in the sector and supporting the retention and expansion of existing investments in the region so that the Agency can achieve its mission and strategic objectives in the technology space. This is integral in ensuring that the Western Cape remains an investment destination of choice for global and local investors, a sought-after source market for goods and services and a filmmaker’s hub on the continent. As part of the Executive Leadership Team, you’ll play a key role in ensuring that Wesgro punches above its weight as a leading sub-national TIPA (Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) globally.
 
Purpose:
Armed with a deep understanding of investment life cycles, current investment activities, and stakeholders operating within their focus sector, the Green Economy Specialist will provide investors with an end-to-end support structure to ensure projects are successfully and easily commercialised in the province.
 
Requirements:

• Advantageous: MSc or M in one of the above fields
• 5 years’ working experience in a client relations and relationship management in renewable energy, green economy or related fields
• Advantageous: 5 years experience in renewable energy
• Understanding of South African regulations pertaining to electricity generation
• Understanding of REIPPP
• An ability to network off and leverage from businesses in the sector as well as service providers who can support inbound investors
• Knowledge of, and a keen interest in the green economy and its applicability to Africa
• Knowledge of African markets and/or African sustainable development.
• Ability to understand and work with other units at Wesgro to promote cross-selling of opportunities
• Evidence of extensive business development experience
• Ability to plan and execute local travel to promote focus sector to investors
• Ability to positively position the region on both international and local platforms
• Ability to engage will all levels of management, especially C-Suite
• Ability to work closely with colleagues in the Investment Promotion team to enhance support to local investors
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• A valid Code B driver’s license and passport

 
Duties:

• Initiate and/or propose project ideas aimed to reducing carbon emissions, pollution, enhancing adaptation to climate change, ensure resource use efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
• Host clients that are visiting the region and develop structured itineraries to enhance their visit
• Leverage networks (i.e. investor contacts, governmental contacts) to facilitate the investment process by promoting green growth and climate resilience development
• Provide strategic direction in task teams that are working to improve Wesgro’s investment promotion impact
• Maintain and update investment project information according to internal business processes and prepare reports accordingly
• Understand, manage and build a pipeline of potential investments focusing on the Green Economy
• Plan and conduct in-market expeditions to promote opportunities in the Western Cape region to businesses
• Work closely with key units internally at Wesgro to support cross-collaboration in client business support

 
The successful candidate will report to the Head of Investment Promotion. 
 
Application process:
Email your updated CV to vacancies@wesgro.co.za – please note you need to quote the full position title in the subject line with the reference: GES/22
 
Closing date: 25 September 2022
 
Got questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact HR on 021 487 8600.
 
Wesgro celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees in line with the Employment Equity Act.
 
 
 

 
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ECONOMIC JOURNALIST
Wesgro is seeking an Economic Journalist to join the dynamic Marketing and Communications team.
This is a permanent position subject to the successful candidate signing a performance agreement. A six-month probation period applies.
An all-inclusive market-related remuneration package will apply.
Reference Number: EJ/22
 
The Western Cape is a leading regional economy. As the Economic Journalist, you’ll be instrumental in ensuring Wesgro delivers on its mandate of promoting the destination as an investment destination of choice for global and local investors, a sought-after source market for goods and services, and a filmmaker’s hub on the continent.
The successful incumbent will report to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.
 
Purpose:
The successful candidate will write economic stories and content pertaining to Cape Town and the Western Cape containing information from news, research, and media reports according to Wesgro’s editorial guidelines.
 
Requirements:

• Keep up-to-date with developments in key source markets
• Use observations about investment strategies, wealth strategies, and timely issues to generate insightful content
• These factual, accurate, and original stories will be written to assist in the positioning of the destination as a leading regional economy
• Knowledge on international economy and business in the Western Cape is advantageous
• To be successful in this position he/ she will need to be organized, confident, motivated, and have good proactive initiative and time management skills

 
Key competencies:

• Candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or related fields
• At least 2 years’ of experience in financial writing, news writing, reporting, or content repurposing
• Excellent written and spoken English (AP writing style experience a plus)
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• A natural networker - able to form relationships with stakeholders and partners
• Strong problem solving abilities
• Excellent oral, written, presentation and marketing skills
• Able to work in a team environment
• Collaborative leadership skills and qualities
• Ability to perform consistently under pressure

 
Duties and responsibilities:

• Write opinion pieces, publications and blog posts that position the Western Cape as a leading regional economy on the African continent – including insights drawn from statistics and research
• Crisis communications management when required
• Write speeches and fact sheets from time to time
• Develop fact sheets, brochures, and social media posts that are accurate and research led
• Monthly reporting on performance of syndicated media and traction
• Be a credible voice and thought leader for media
• Fulfil role as nexus between business and government across Wesgro mandate
• Be able to engage at a high level with public and private sector partners
• Be able to communicate and present to the Executive Team and CEO effectively and efficiently

 
 
Application process:
Email your cover letter and updated CV to vacancies@wesgro.co.za – please note you need to quote the full position title in the subject line with the reference: EJ/22
 
Closing date: 20 September 2022
 
Should you not have received any response from us within 14 days after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
 
Got questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact HR on 021 487 8600.
 
Wesgro is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.
 
 
 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGER: AGRIBUSINESS
This is a permanent position subject to the successful candidate signing a performance agreement. A six-month probation period applies.
An all-inclusive market related remuneration package will apply.
Reference Number: PMA02/22
 
The Western Cape is a leading regional economy. As the Portfolio Manager for Agribusiness you’ll be instrumental in ensuring Wesgro delivers on its mandate of promoting the destination as an investment destination of choice for global and local investors.
 
Purpose:
The appointee will successfully attract foreign and domestic direct investment into the Western Cape in the respective sector. This includes positioning and marketing the province as a leading investment location to the international investor community. This includes delivering on designated areas of responsibility as stipulated in the Investment Promotion Business Plan.
 
Requirements:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in a relevant field i.e. Business of Commerce / Science /Business Development
• Preferred: BCom, BA, or equivalent degree in commerce/ finance
• 3 years’ working experience in a similar and middle management role in the above sector of Agribusiness with a focus on the facilitation of deals/ projects
• Proven record of accomplishment and knowledge of investment promotion issues and related policies/ incentives
• Experience in business development
• Knowledge on international economy and business in the Western Cape
• Availability to travel
• Financial management in the context of the Public Finance Management Act (1 of 1999) will be advantageous
• A valid Code B driver’s license and passport

 
Key Competencies:
The appointee must have a strong mix of the following skills and capabilities:

• Able to operate in a proactive manner in a multi-disciplinary, outcome-based environment
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• A natural networker - able to form relationships with stakeholders and partners
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Excellent oral, written, presentation, and marketing skills
• Project management
• Able to work in a team environment
• Collaborative leadership skills and qualities
• Ability to perform consistently under pressure
• Interpersonal relationships
• Motivation skills
• The ideal candidate should be delivery-driven, assuming full responsibility for the management and performance of their portfolio, behave with integrity and produce work of exceptional quality.

 
Duties and responsibilities:

• Developing, promoting and facilitating investment into the province
• Developing and managing a quality investment pipeline
• Targeting potential investors
• Planning and executing inward and outward investment missions
• Be a natural networker
• Be a credible voice and thought leader
• Fulfil role as nexus between business and government across Wesgro mandate
• Be able to engage at a high level with public and private sector partners
• Be able to communicate and present to the Executive Team, CEO and Board effectively and efficiently
• Be passionate about managing people, wanting the best out of them and giving them support to grow

 
 
Application process:
Email your cover letter and updated CV to vacancies@wesgro.co.za – please note you need to quote the full position title in the subject line with the reference: PMA02/22
 
Closing date: 18 September 2022
 
Got questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact HR on 021 487 8600.
 
Wesgro celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees in line with the Employment Equity Act.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS
 
APPLICATIONS AND/OR NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE AUDIT, IT and RISK COMMITEE OF WESGRO
 
Auditing, Accounting, Legal, Human Resource Management, Risk and ICT Portfolios
The Western Cape Tourism Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Wesgro), is a provincial public entity of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, duly incorporated in terms of the provisions of the Western Cape Tourism Trade And Investment Promotion Agency Act, 1996 (Act 3 of 1996).
In accordance with Section 51(a)(ii) of the PFMA, Wesgro seeks to appoint 2 (two) suitably qualified professionals to serve as independent Audit, IT and Risk Committee Members. The appointment dates will be communicated to the successful candidates and will be for a 3 (three) year fix term contract from the date of appointment.
As a result, applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to be appointed as independent Members of Wesgro’s Audit, IT and Risk Committee.
 
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants with one or more of the following qualifications and areas of experience will be given preference:

• A relevant three-year tertiary or equivalent qualification in Commerce or Corporate Governance or Compliance and Law;
• Executive management experience in Corporate Governance, Compliance and Law within the public sector for 10 years or more;
• Proven exposure in areas of Risk management or oversight bodies or committees;
• Exposure in areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) management or oversight bodies or committees;
• Exposure in serving in oversight committees;
• A member of a relevant recognised professional body (if applicable); and
• Residing in the province of the Western Cape

Members will be remunerated in terms of the approved Provincial Government of the Western Cape guidelines for the remuneration of audit committees.
 
COMPETENCIES:
Members must have expertise in either of the following areas:

• Internal and External Auditing including Public Sector Audit exposure;
• Accounting;
• Legal services;
• Risk management;
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT); and
• Corporate Governance.

Members must possess the following qualities:

• Independence;
• Integrity;
• Objectivity;
• A person who has an interest in delivering a better service to South African citizens;
• Willingness to dedicate time to the Audit Committee activities; and
• Communication skills.

 
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS:
Key functions of the Audit Committee are as per National Treasury’s Internal Audit Framework,
Government prescripts and good governance requirements, which, among others, highlight the following:

• Manage the functional performance of Internal Audit quarterly;
• Review the plans of both the Internal and External audit;
• Review the reports of both Internal and External Audit and monitor implementation of recommendations by management; and
• Review the Annual Financial Statements.

 
Applicants will be requested to undergo a vetting process that will include a criminal record check and the confirmation of qualifications. Applicants must please forward their applications, which include a complete CV, clearly indicating fields of experience, qualifications and competencies for the attention of Giselle Naidoo via email to Giselle@wesgro.co.za
 
Closing Date: Sunday 18 September 2022