INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (IDC)

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT PLANNER: PHARMACEUTICALS AND CHEMICALS

IDC is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In accordance with the employment equity plan of the IDC and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but not limited to candidates from underrepresented designated groups.

Job number IDC00827

Contract Type Fixed Term Contract (24 months)

Posting End Date 9 Oct 2026

Region Gauteng

IDC Job Grade M Band

Synopsis

• Formulate and support IDC industry development strategies for the pharmaceuticals and chemicals industries (including petrochemical industries), with a focus on local productive capacity, competitiveness and sustainable industrial development
• Identify and unlock opportunities across pharmaceuticals and chemicals value chains, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, active pharmaceutical ingredients, petrochemicals, biofuels, medicinal chemicals, medical technologies, basic and specialty chemicals, industrial chemicals, plastics, rubber and recycling
• Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships with government, regulators, industry associations, research institutions, manufacturers, investors and relevant IDC business units.
• Position the IDC as a thought leader by identifying market opportunities, policy and regulatory levers, localisation priorities, technology shifts and cross-sector linkages to enable development of the ecosystems
• Work with Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and Research and Information to inform industry priorities and investment opportunities that support resilient, inclusive and sustainable value chains
• Develop new plans and position papers aligned to IDC sustainable industrialisation pathways.
• Define implementation plans for immediate, emerging and longer-term pharmaceuticals and chemicals, petrochemicals and biofuels development priorities working with stakeholders leveraging on existing industry plans.
• Collaborate across SBUs and teams to influence thinking and support delivery of pharmaceuticals and chemicals industry development plans

Job Description

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Internal / Operational Processes

• Lead the formulation of pharmaceuticals and chemicals industry roadmaps, identifying short-, medium- and long-term priorities across relevant value chains and subsectors
• Develop implementation plans with SBUs and project teams to support localisation, import replacement, export growth, technology upgrading, sustainability and investment pipeline development
• Compile analytical frameworks covering demand trends, market structure, production capabilities, trade flows, regulatory requirements, technology shifts, competitiveness constraints and investment opportunities
• Provide industry insights to SBU Heads and Project Heads to influence short- to medium-term industry development strategies and support strategic project origination
• Monitor actual versus anticipated development trajectories and recommend corrective measures, including revisions to strategies, focus areas and action plans
• Lead or participate in industry development steering committees, forums, task teams and stakeholder platforms to inform sector initiatives and support implementation
• Engage Operations, Support Units and external stakeholders to execute, update and refine pharmaceuticals and chemicals development strategies
• Identify and manage regulatory, market, supply chain, environmental, technology and implementation risks
• Guide Client Support and Growth teams and SBUs to align investee company activities with broader industry development goals
• Participate in ad hoc strategic interventions to address urgent challenges or opportunities in pharmaceuticals, chemicals and related value chains

Customer Focus & Stakeholder Management

• Engage relevant industry and government stakeholders and represent the IDC in internal and external forums to:
• - influence forum goals, objectives, activities and initiatives in support of IDC industry development goals
• - learn from industry stakeholders and participating parties
• - support a conducive environment for industry and subsector growth
• Clearly communicate industry strategies within the IDC and to external stakeholders, including through articles, conferences and social media
• Ensure service excellence

Learning, Leadership & People Growth

• Contribute to organisational knowledge and capability in pharmaceuticals and chemicals industries
• Coach and mentor peers
• Keep abreast of industry developments through conferences, sector forums, literature reviews and internal IDC engagement
• Lead and participate in team and cross-functional knowledge sharing

Qualification and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS (Formal qualifications)

• Relevant postgraduate qualification in economics, industrial policy, engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, life sciences, business, development finance or a related field

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 8-10 years’ industry experience, including strategy development and implementation across pharmaceuticals and chemicals, or closely related manufacturing industries
• Strong understanding of pharmaceuticals and chemicals value chains, including inputs, manufacturing capabilities, technology requirements, regulatory frameworks, market dynamics, trade patterns, sustainability requirements and localisation opportunities
• Sound knowledge of global and regional value chains, industrial competitiveness, policy instruments, standards and future technologies relevant to both industries
• Balanced expertise across both of the following would be an added advantage:
• o Pharmaceutical manufacturing, active pharmaceutical ingredients, medicinal chemicals, vaccines, biotechnology, medical technologies or health-related manufacturing
• o Basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, petrochemicals including biofuels, green chemicals, plastics, rubber, recycling, industrial minerals or related chemicals value chains
• Good networks across industry, government, regulators, research institutions, industry associations, manufacturers and investors
• Experience in coaching and mentoring team members

Roles and Responsibilities

TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Pharmaceuticals and chemicals industry development
• Value chain analysis and opportunity identification
• Implementation planning and execution
• Micro- and macro-economic thinking
• Strategic and forward-looking thinking
• Policy, regulatory and stakeholder analysis
• Stakeholder management and partnership development
• Innovation and problem solving

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Presentation and communication skills
• Negotiation skills
• Relationship building and networking skills
• Persuading and influencing skills
• Coaching and mentoring
• Leading and co-ordinating
• Ability to work effectively within teams

PLEASE APPLY HERE

INDUSTRY EXPERT – DEFENCE INDUSTRY

IDC is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In accordance with the employment equity plan of the IDC and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but not limited to candidates from underrepresented designated groups.

Job number IDC00825

Contract Type Fixed Term Contract (24 months)

Posting End Date 9 Oct 2026

Region Gauteng

IDC Job Grade M Band

Synopsis

The IDC has adopted a strategic approach to defence-related manufacturing, framed as “Defence for Development”, to support industrial development impact, strengthen sovereign capability and participate responsibly in selected defence-related value chains.

The IDC is seeking a Defence Industry Expert to lead as a Defence specialist on a fixed-term basis. The role will drive the implementation of the Defence Plan to support potential investments in the sector and include advisory input on internal controls, governance arrangements, risk-mitigation measures, pre-screening, due diligence and post-investment monitoring processes.

The role will help identify and implement responsible investment opportunities, support value-chain analysis, guide stakeholder engagement and provide practical industry insights. The expert will advise IDC on the structure, dynamics and opportunities within the defence-related manufacturing ecosystem.

This is a high-impact role requiring deep sector knowledge, strong understanding of defence regulation and compliance requirements, and the ability to work across internal teams and external stakeholders to translate strategy into practical implementation.

Job Description

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial / Shareholder Returns

• Identify responsible, commercially viable and developmentally impactful investment opportunities in defence-related manufacturing and dual-use value chains
• Support the implementation of opportunities that strengthen South Africa’s sovereign industrial capability while remaining aligned with IDC’s risk appetite, funding constraints and responsible investment requirements
• Provide input into the design and implementation of funding approaches, including ring-fenced funding arrangements and related governance requirements
• Provide advice and support to IDC Business units on pre-screening, due diligence and post investment monitoring

Internal / Operational Processes

• Support implementation of the IDC’s Defence for Development strategic approach and Defence Industry Plan
• Advise on the development of an internal compliance and governance framework for defence related manufacturing
• Support the development of pre-screening, due diligence and post-investment monitoring processes for defence-related transactions
• Provide specialist input into sanctions screening, end-user verification, export-control requirements, adverse media checks, human rights, labour, ESG and reputational risk assessment processes
• Assist with the development of defence-sector risk indicators, compliance triggers, escalation mechanisms and mitigation controls
• Advise on policy positions and decision criteria for emerging defence technologies, including autonomous weapons systems, AI-enabled surveillance, cybersecurity, intelligence and surveillance systems and dual-use technologies
• Prepare technical inputs, briefing notes, reports and recommendations for internal governance structures and relevant Board committees as required

Customer Focus & Stakeholder Management

• Engage and support internal IDC teams to support coordinated implementation
• Lead engagement with relevant government departments, regulators, security-state structures, industry associations, research institutions, manufacturers, technology developers, funders and other ecosystem stakeholders
• Lead engagement with relevant national regulatory and oversight bodies, including arms control, export-control, non-proliferation and security-related structures
• Provide practical insight into defence value chains, market dynamics, industrial capabilities, technology trends, procurement pathways and potential project opportunities
• Help position the IDC as a responsible and informed participant in defence-related industrial development

Learning, Leadership & People Growth

• Build internal understanding of the defence-related manufacturing ecosystem, including sector structure, technologies, risks, opportunities and regulatory requirements
• Provide coaching, mentoring and technical guidance to internal teams involved in defence related strategy, compliance, risk and transaction assessment
• Share industry intelligence, lessons from comparable markets and emerging trends to inform IDC decision-making
• Support knowledge sharing across cross-functional teams to strengthen institutional readiness for responsible defence-related investment

Qualification and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS (Formal qualifications)

• Minimum qualification: relevant postgraduate qualification in engineering, defence studies, security studies, international relations, economics, law, business, science, technology, public policy or a related field
• Master’s degree, MBA or equivalent senior professional qualification would be an advantage
• Specialist training or certification in defence procurement, export controls, sanctions compliance, AML/CFT, ESG, human rights due diligence or risk management would be an advantage

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience in the defence, aerospace, maritime, land systems, security, dual-use technology or related industrial sectors
• Demonstrated experience in defence-related manufacturing, industrial capability
• development, value-chain analysis, strategy implementation or programme development
• Strong practical understanding of South Africa’s defence-industrial ecosystem, including relevant manufacturers, technology capabilities, public-sector stakeholders, regulatory bodies and procurement pathways
• Sound knowledge of defence-related regulatory and compliance requirements, including arms control, export controls, sanctions screening, AML/CFT, non proliferation, end-user verification, human rights, labour and ESG considerations
• Experience in developing or implementing internal controls, governance frameworks, due diligence processes, monitoring frameworks, risk indicators or compliance protocols in highrisk or regulated sectors
• Ability to assess responsible investment opportunities in conventional defence equipment, aerospace and defence manufacturing, defence logistics and support services, cybersecurity, intelligence and surveillance systems and dual-use technologies
• Strong understanding of reputational, governance, sanctions, human-rights and ethical risks associated with defence-related investment
• Excellent networks across relevant public and private sector stakeholders, including industry participants, government departments, regulators, research institutions, funders and technical experts
• Experience working with senior executives, Board committees, government stakeholders or multi-disciplinary governance structures would be an advantage
• Excellent analytical, report-writing, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex technical, regulatory and market information into practical recommendations

Roles and Responsibilities

TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Responsible investment, compliance and governance advisory
• Risk identification, assessment, mitigation and escalation
• Strategic planning and implementation support
• Stakeholder management and inter-governmental coordination
• Analytical thinking and problem solving in complex regulated sectors
• Technical report writing, briefing preparation and executive-level communication

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Professional discretion and ability to handle sensitive sector information responsibly
• Sound judgement and ethical decision-making
• Relationship building and networking skills
• Persuading and influencing skills
• Coaching and mentoring
• Leading and co-ordinating across multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability to work effectively within teams and with senior stakeholders
• Presentation and communication skills

PLEASE APPLY HERE