Senior Manager: Learning Programmes (Strategic Projects)

Paterson Grade:  E1

Remuneration: R 1, 660, 697.81 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). It 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, Cement, Lime, Aggregates, and Sand (CLAS), as well as Services Incidental Mining (SITM), Diamond Processing, and Jewellery Manufacturing.

The MQA requires the services of the suitably qualified and competent individual to fill the above-mentioned position. 

Role Purpose:

To manage and oversee the implementation of MQA projects including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling program activities. 

Key Performance Areas:

Project Planning: •    Provide inputs into the strategic planning documents namely the strategic plan, annual performance plans and the Sector Skills Plan (SSP) • Align all planned projects to the national priorities for skills development specifically the youth and communities • Drive the planning process for the delivery and implementation of all projects in line with the Annual Performance Plans • Develop and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcomes of all projects • Oversee the application and implementation of all procurement processes prior to project implementation • Provide high level input into the setting of annual and multi-year targets • Conduct benchmarking with other institutions to identify best practice • Collaborate stakeholders in the sector to identify sector specific skills needs and priorities.

Project Implementation and Delivery: • Oversee the implementation of all planned projects and ensure alignment with policies and procedures.

Monitoring and Reporting: • Oversee and monitor project performance, identify performance barriers and address them • Oversee the collation, compilation and maintenance of performance information for validation and compliance • Oversee and lead the implementation of all projects in line with budgets and agreed timelines • Consolidate and collate LP performance information in the required formats and in line with the governance framework • Monitor the program activities on a regular basis and conduct monthly and quarterly performance evaluation.

Stakeholder Management and Communication: • Liaise with relevant stakeholders and drive advocacy campaigns to galvanise support and participation in the approved projects • Liaise with other managers to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery • Coordinate the delivery of services among different program activities to increase effectiveness and efficiency • Provide input into the project specific branding and marketing of all projects.

Document and Quality Management: •      Ensure that all projects financial and management information for the LP Unit is maintained, updated and stored • Create a centralised document management system for all project information under the control of the LP Unit • Oversee the maintenance of a sound document management system for the LP Unit.

Budget Management: • Develop, manage and oversee the efficient utilisation of the LP Unit annual budget in line with the approved deliverables • Monitor the commitments and accruals and reconcile pipeline projects with the committed funds • Oversee and lead the disbursement of committed funds for projects and plan for the significant reduction of commitments from prior financial years • Liaise with the Finance Unit to provide updated and accurate financial information • Revise and review the LP Unit budget where applicable • Oversee the project expenditure, identify barriers to expending project budgets address these with relevant stakeholders accounting policies and procedures • Ensure that the projects operate within the approved budget and in line with valid legal contracts.

Project Compliance and Risk Management: • Ensure that the LP Unit complies with the MQA’s good governance framework • Resolve all audit queries and ensure that corrective action is implemented • Lead and direct the implementation of all projects in line with the approved policies, processes and procedures • Develop strategic and operational risks related to the LP Unit and the mitigating actions • Identify and evaluate the risks associated with program activities and take appropriate action to control the risks.

Unit Performance Management: • Set the Unit deliverables and assign functions in line with reporting lines • Manage the Learning Programs Strategic Unit’s team performance • Ensure the IDPs are in place and submitted to HR for the development, guidance and empowerment of the team to deliver Unit targets • Ensure that the performance contracts are in place prior to the beginning of each financial year in line with the Unit’s strategy and Plans • Measure, manage and monitor the performance of the team.

Key requirements: qualifications, experience, and competencies

Qualifications:

• National Senior Certificate (NQF 4)
• Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level 7) preferred in the fields of Business Administration / Public Administration / Human Resources Management / Human Resources Development / Training and Development or Education.
• Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree (NQF Level 8) in the above-mentioned fields will be added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience of which 5 years must be at Management level.

Competencies: Knowledge

• Budgeting and Financial Management • Business Development and Process Engineering • Effective Communication • Technical Understanding • Multiple Projects Management • Understanding of Skills Development in South Africa • Ability to multitask and work under pressure • Successful Delivery of Targets • Stakeholder Management • Corporate Governance Framework • Risk Management

Competencies: Skills

• Project Management Skills • Communication Skills • People and Leadership Skills • Interpersonal Skills • Computer Proficiency • Drafting / Reporting Skills • Presentation Skills

Competencies: Attributes

• Integrity • Perseverance • Decisiveness • Results orientation • Confidentiality • Professional • Ethical

The candidate should also be willing to:

Work under pressure inclusive of longer than normal offices hours. • Work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. • Travel away from home if required. • Engage in a lifelong learning process relative to the context of the workplace.

Closing Date: 28 July 2026. 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 (all documents should be certified within 6 months) to: 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.

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.

The MQA reserves the right not to appoint any person for this position.