HEAD OF RESEARCH & STRATEGY – IDC

HEAD OF RESEARCH & STRATEGY – IDC

Remote

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Limited is a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) charged with the mandate to spearhead the Zambian Government’s commercial investments agenda aimed at strengthening Zambia’s industrial base and job creation. The Corporation’s vision is to be Africa’s best performing Wealth Fund and Investment Partner of choice. Its Mission is to secure, manage and diversify Zambia’s wealth for current and future generations by making strategic investments that drive sustainable economic development. A need has arisen to fill the position of:

HEAD OF RESEARCH & STRATEGY

  1. JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Research and Strategy is responsible for leading the development and implementation of corporate strategy. This role encompasses the coordination of departmental and corporate work plans, ensuring alignment with the overall corporate strategy, and providing expert advice on research and strategic matters. The Head of Research and Strategy also focuses on performance monitoring, information provision, stakeholder liaison, and provision of group technical support.

The position is a member of the Management Executive Committee.

  1. KEY RESULT AREAS AND PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

KEY RESULT AREAS

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES (MAIN DUTIES)

Strategic Planning and Implementation

  • Participates in the formulation and review of the IDC Strategic Plan.
  • Develops the Research and Strategy Department Strategy in compliance with the IDC Corporate Strategy and mandate.
  • Aligns the Research and Strategy Department Strategy to the Corporate Strategy, vision, mission, and values to optimise Research and Strategy productivity.
  • Develops, formulates, implements, IDC business strategies and conducts market related research, policies, and procedures according to organisation objectives.
  • Provides leadership in the development of Corporate Strategy with the Board
  • Subject the Strategic Plan Review to a mid-term review to assess implementation progress against the plan.
  • Develop all staff individual performance frameworks and ensuring staff KPIs are aligned with corporate strategy 

Departmental Planning Budget

  • Prepares and owns development of departmental workplan and budget.
  • Minimise operational costs by ensuring that division expenditure remains within budget approval and savings made from budget.

Advisory

  • Acts as chief advisor on all Research and Strategy related matters to the Group Chief Executive Officer and Management Executive Team
  • Provides guidance and input on Research and Strategy related matters in the IDC Group.

Research and Strategy Policies, Procedures and Systems

  • Formulates, updates, and implements the Research and Strategy Policies, procedures, and systems.
  • Monitors the implementation of the policies, procedures, and systems.

Corporate Planning

  • Develop the Corporate Balanced Scorecard, ensuring it reflects the corporation’s strategic priorities and performance targets.
  • Coordinate the development of annual work plans and budgets for all departments and the corporate level.
  • Ensure that departmental plans align with the overall corporate strategic objectives and goals.
  • Ensure the alignment of departmental activities with the Corporate Balanced Scorecard.
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Enhanced Entity Risk Management

  • Evaluate potential threats and establish plans to minimise them
  • Manage expectations to improve relationships with suppliers, customers, and employees
  • Develop and recommend viable scenarios for mitigating any potential risks
  • Develop risk reports for management
  • Compile Risk Register
  • Apply mitigating measures on risks on the Risk Register Implemented

Corporate Performance Monitoring

Strategic Plan Monitoring:

  • Review and assess the corporation’s performance against the strategic plan using the corporate Balanced Scorecard and strategic metric framework.
  • Ensure alignment of operational plans with the strategic objectives and identify areas for improvement.

Departmental Performance Assessment:

  • Conduct quarterly and annual performance reviews with departmental heads to evaluate progress towards strategic goals.
  • Prepare comprehensive performance reports for the Management Executive Committee, highlighting key achievements and areas needing attention.
  • Ensure continuous improvement of departmental work plans to enhance performance monitoring and evaluation.

Report Preparation and Presentation:

  • Prepare and present detailed reports on performance metrics and trends to the Management Executive Committee.

Stakeholder Liaison

Government and Regulatory Liaison

  • Represent the Corporation at meetings and forums to discuss sector-specific issues affecting competitiveness and policy implementation.
  • Serve as a liaison between the organization and external partners, including government agencies, industry experts, and international organizations.
  • Prepare and submit reports, responses, and appearances before parliamentary committees and other government bodies as required.
  • Analyze and assess the impact of legislative changes on the organization and its operations, providing recommendations for necessary actions.

Subsidiary Coordination:

  • Host periodic business review meetings with subsidiary executives
  • Host annual Group conference for the furtherance of Group interests
  • Coordinate engagement with subsidiary companies to ensure alignment with then Group strategic goals and policies

Enhanced group oversight and support

  • Provide technical support on research and strategy to subsidiaries
  • Develop subsidiary strategic plans
  • Ensure Subsidiary Performance Management Contracts performance measures are aligned with Group Strategy

Information Provision

  • Conduct comprehensive research through research on various sectors of the economy
  • Ensure effective data management and information dissemination
  • Analyze existing and proposed policies to determine their impact on IDC Group business and operations
  • Undertake business intelligence and market analysis to guide on strategic positions and prevailing issues
  • Provide technical support and data analysis for strategic projects and initiatives
  • Undertake relevant business research for decision making project implementation and portfolio monitoring
  • Collaborate with different departments to ensure research aligns with organizational objectives and strategic goals

Crisis Management

  • Adopt strategies that try to raise customer value and cut costs during an economic breakdown and financial crisis
  • Analyse the major cause of the crisis and provide a constructive solution and preventative plan.

Creative Problem Solving

  • Overcome political, behavioural and systematic barriers to enable creativity change, and business growth
  • Take unique initiatives which will help provide alternative solutions to the existing problems
  • Identify gaps in the business and advice on the corrective actions necessary
  • Enable innovation and creativity to develop new winning strategies

Ethic Development

Develop a culture of ethical behaviour in the business to support continued growth, productivity and positive employee and client relationship

Creative Value

Ensure the strategies in the business earn profit and promote economic development

Increased efficiency

  • Assist the organisation fit into the current dynamic economy by identifying and implementing relevant methods for increased business efficiency
  • Ensure enhanced entity risk management.
  • Ensure Departmental and Corporate adherence to the IDC Guidelines for Corporate Planning and Business Performance Review to ensure efficiency in business processes 
  • Ensure optimal utilisation of automated business systems

Coaching

  • Coach department leaders to help them implement the plan and meet their goals.
  • Provide support in strategizing individual department and review, analyse and manage all existing department strategies to ensure all departments align with the business key strategies.

People Management and Leadership

  • Mentors, coaches, and provides on job-training to the direct reports and others as may be required from time       to time.
  • Periodically submits required reports relating to mentorship and training/coaching programmes to the division in charge of Human Capital.
  • Ensure staff development and retention strategies are developed and implemented.
  • Ensure provision of technical capacity and support in  internal functions and other staff to achieve premium management service.
  • Ensure enhanced employee engagement and performance.
  • Ensure provision and promotion of sound leadership practices i.e., Inspirational Leadership.
  • Ensure to implement enhanced Performance Management System and Reward Systems.

Health and Safety

Take reasonable care for own health and safety as well as that of other employees, clients, and others as may be required from time to time.

Furtherance of Company’s Interests

Exercise the powers and duties generally exercised by Head of Research and Strategy in the furtherance of the interests of the company as may be authorised and or delegated by the Supervisor.

Meetings

  • Attend stakeholder meetings and respond to matters arising
  • Prepare key departmental presentations, talking points and any other information required

Any other Duties

Perform any other job-related duties as assigned

  1. ESSENTIAL/DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
  • Professional Qualification:
    • Grade 12 School Certificate
    • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, and/or equivalent Professional Qualification in relevant field from reputable institution.
    • Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, and/or equivalent Professional Qualification from reputable institution
    • Relevant Professional Membership
  • Minimum Relevant Work Experience:
    • 7 years relevant work experience in Senior Management or similar position.
  • Skill Specifications:
    • Leadership skills
    • Excellent problem solving and presentation skills.
    • Ability to translate and communicate complex topics in a variety of forums, tailoring communications to effectively fit and influence the targeted audience, strong executive presence, presentation, and communication skills.
    • Ability to work collaboratively with key internal and external leaders, partners, suppliers, and customers.
    • Report writing and presentation skills.
    • Data management and record keeping.
    • Strong communication, negotiation skills and tact.
    • Good interpersonal skills.
    • Inspirational leadership skills
    • Proficient in using computers
  • Other Attributes
    • Professionalism
    • Transparency
    • Integrity
    • Distinction
    • Innovation
    • Teamwork

 

  1. WORKING CONDITIONS
  • Office work environment.
  • Use of computers and other office equipment.
  • Concentration and analysis.
  • Managing tight deadlines.
  • Normal environmental conditions
  • Occasional local and international travel.
  1. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

IDC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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