Purpose:

A mission-driven organisation committed to advancing agricultural growth and supporting farming communities is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will provide overall strategic leadership, direction, and stewardship of the company, ensuring alignment with the company’s transformation strategy. The CEO leads the organisation’s mandate to accelerate the commercial sustainability of black citrus growers through enterprise development, blended finance solutions, and sector partnerships

Key Job Outputs:

Strategic Leadership

• Determine and formulate policies and strategic plans within guidelines set by the Board
• Direct, plan, and coordinate operational activities to ensure effective execution of the company’s transformation and enterprise-development objectives
• Develop long-range objectives, specify strategies and actions, and oversee implementation

Financial Stewardship & Resource Management

• Direct or coordinate the organisation’s financial and budget activities to fund operations, maximise impact investments, and ensure fiscal sustainability
• Prepare and present budgets, reports, and performance analyses for Board approval
• Monitor and control resources to ensure optimal utilisation and compliance

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to statutory, fiduciary, and policy frameworks governing the company and its funding partners
• Implement corrective actions to address audit findings, risk exposures, or governance gaps
• Attend board meetings and support the functioning of committees as needed

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between the company, government, funders, development finance institutions, and black growers
• Represent the company at strategic forums, industry bodies, and public platforms to advance its objectives
• Negotiate and approve strategic partnerships, contracts, and funding agreements

Operational Oversight

• Appoint and oversee department heads and executives to ensure functional effectiveness
• Direct organisational operations, projects, or services to ensure productivity and quality outcomes
• Analyse operations to evaluate performance, identify improvement areas, and recommend policy or process changes
• Deliver speeches, write articles, and represent the company in public engagements
• Communicate effectively with internal teams, the Board, and external stakeholders to align objectives and build trust
• Promote the company’s achievements and programmes to enhance visibility and funding support

Human Capital Leadership

• Direct HR activities, including the approval of strategic workforce plans, the selection of senior leaders, and the performance management of senior personnel
• Build a culture of accountability, inclusion, and innovation aligned with the company’s values
• Coach and mentor senior personnel to enhance their leadership capacity and ensure continuity

Core Competencies:

• Leadership – Demonstrates strategic foresight, political astuteness, and the ability to translate vision into actionable plans
• Decision-Making & Problem Solving – Uses sound judgment and evidence-based analysis to guide organisational choices
• Financial Acumen – Strong grasp of economics, accounting, and investment principles relevant to development finance
• Stakeholder Management – Builds cooperative relationships across government, funders, growers, and the private sector
• Change Management – Leads transformation initiatives effectively across complex systems
• Communication & Influence – Engages diverse audiences through persuasive and clear communication
• Governance & Compliance – Upholds fiduciary responsibility and ensures accountability and transparency

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Development Finance, Agricultural Economics, or related field

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 –12 years’ senior leadership experience, preferably in development finance, agribusiness, or enterprise development
• Proven track record in managing multi-stakeholder programmes and securing funding partnerships

Salary: Market related

Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.

All personal information received will be processed in accordance with The Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 OF 2013