LED OFFICER: AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

KOUGA MUNICIPALITY (EC 108)

NOTICE NO: 12/2024

EXTERNAL VACANCY

Kouga Municipality, an equal opportunity employer which subscribes to the principle of affirmative action, awaits applications for the appointment in the following vacancy:

                       LED OFFICER: AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

REQUIREMENTS                                   

• Relevant NQF Level 6 qualification in Agriculture/Economics or equivalent;
• At least three years’ experience;
• Valid Code EB driver’s license;
• Thorough knowledge of Local Economic Development planning and Local Government Sector processes;
• Sound knowledge of research and analytical theories and practices;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent, report writing and presentation skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Computer literacy – Office application;
• Must be able to speak, read and write in at least two of the official languages in Kouga Municipality (Afrikaans, English, and Xhosa).

SALARY:                                                     R319 850.33 – R415 169.29 Per Annum

TASK:                                                       11

DUTIES:                                               

• Identifies and defines the immediate, short- and long-term objectives/ plans and controls associated with Agricultural development;
• Planning, coordinating and evaluating all Agricultural development activities in the region;
• Facilitating the development and implementation of a Rural Development and Agricultural Support Programme and assisting rural business owners to become registered business entities;
• Evaluating and commenting on the applicability of specific key performance indicators and measures against outcomes detailed in the Municipality’s’ Business and Strategic Plans (IDP);
• Presenting a conceptual framework of current and future interventions necessary to achieve acceptable levels and standards of service delivery to the ED Manager for consideration and inclusion into the department’s short/ long-term performance and service delivery plans;
• Presenting proposed programs and projects to community groups and local business meetings;
• Providing and facilitating training to rural communities in the Kouga region and promoting Agricultural campaigns;
• Facilitate the establishment of agricultural institutions, forums and committees;
• Implementing, monitoring, and evaluating agricultural programs that encompass a range of activities such as natural resource management, agribusiness, and agricultural institutional development;
• Promoting and marketing agriculture/Agri-industry and rural development opportunities throughout our community to new and existing entrepreneurs and investors;
• Assisting agriculture/Agri-industry businesses, organizations, etc. with applications/proposals to local, district, provincial and national programmes;
• Supporting attraction and retention of alternative agricultural investment;
• Providing guidance on food security issues and opportunities in the region;
• Coordinates the formulation of specific policies and procedures;
• Coordinating development projects to ensure that objectives in terms of the IDP are met;
• Connecting producers to resources that increase their knowledge base, soliciting new partners for Farm Fresh projects from the retail and restaurant sectors and investigating a local food distribution system to foster a long-term business development and expansion;
• Assisting local farmers with business needs, primarily business plans, market development and providing advice related to financing, budgeting, marketing, technology development and commercialization;
• Providing information to companies interested in exporting opportunities and connecting local companies and entrepreneurs with exporting opportunities;
• Establishing partnerships between the commercial farmers, emerging farmers and the Municipality; supporting rural municipalities within their development initiatives, such as rural business retention and expansion strategies and initiating and coordinating meetings with appropriate groups/municipalities/departments to identify projects;
• Assisting rural communities with commonage grazing land as well as developing a commonage management plan for implementation.
• Visiting development projects, taking photos and videos and writing progress reports for submission and presentation at management meetings;
• Preparing and submitting funding proposals for projects to the Manager;
• Preparing of development related business plans if required by providing advice, guidance and support;
• Coordinating partnership projects to ensure that objectives in terms of the agreements are met;
• Coordinating the administrative and reporting requirements associated with the key performance and result indicators of the functionality;
• Maintaining the activity and recordkeeping systems and/ or executing specific actions to facilitate the updating of registers and schedules;
• Implements communication strategies with intra and interdepartmental management staff and external stakeholders;
• Capacitating project beneficiaries and encouraging maximum participation on business entrepreneurship programs;
• Convening meetings of emerging farmers in consultation with the Manager and the Director;
• Providing one-to-one consultations with prospective participants in agriculture including preparation, recording and follow-up consultations and maintaining a contact program with the local agricultural community;
• Planning and attending various agricultural functions as a representative of the municipality and presenting presentations as required e.g. agricultural fairs, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, trade shows;
• Responding to inquiries from the public and providing research assistance to emerging famers; promoting the formalization of self-help groups (e.g. establishments of co-ops);

BENEFITS:                                         As per standard conditions of service.

Applicants must submit a formal application form and a comprehensive CV, copies of qualifications, identity document and driver’s license. Applications must be submitted electronically as one PDF document to recruitment@kouga.gov.za. Application forms can be obtained from the Municipal website, www.kouga.gov.za and must reach the Human Resource Manager on or before Friday, 22 January 2024 at 12:00.

For any enquiries contact Mr. L Desha: 042 200 2200.

Disqualification:

Please note that the following can lead to disqualification:

1. Canvassing of councillors.
2. Submission of fraudulent qualifications and/ or documents.

NB: Please note that shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a vetting process. By applying for this position, the candidates agree to background checks being performed.

The Municipality reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Preference will be given to applicants residing within the Kouga area of jurisdiction.

Should you not hear from us within 30 days of closing date, kindly regard your application as being unsuccessful.

MR. C DU PLESSIS                                                                                P. O. BOX 21                                        

MUNICIPAL MANAGER                                                                        JEFFREYS BAY

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