Chief Operating Officer

Purpose statement:

To provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation by ensuring effective implementation of organisational strategy governance risk management and operational excellence. The COO oversees key functions including Risk & Compliance and the Office of the CEO ensuring alignment efficiency and delivery of organisational objectives in line with legislative and governance frameworks.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Leads the implementation of organisational strategy by translating strategic objectives into operational plans and ensuring alignment across all functions under the COOs portfolio.
• Oversee organisational performance by monitoring key operational metrics and ensuring that targets are achieved within approved timelines and budgets.
• Provides strategic advice and support to the CEO and Executive Management on operational matters and organisational performance.
• Drives organisational efficiency by identifying process improvements eliminating inefficiencies and promoting best practices across the organisation.
• Ensures integration and coordination of cross-functional activities to achieve organisational goals.
• Leads organisational change initiatives to enhance performance culture and service delivery.
• Ensures that operational risks are identified and managed proactively in alignment with organisational strategy.
• Provides oversight of the Risk & Compliance function to ensure effective enterprise risk management and compliance with applicable legislation and policies.
• Ensures the development implementation and monitoring of risk management frameworks and strategies across the organisation.
• Oversees compliance with PFMA Treasury Regulations and other regulatory requirements.
• Reviews risk reports and ensure that mitigation strategies are implemented and monitored effectively.
• Ensures that internal controls are established maintained and continuously improved.
• Provides assurance to the CEO and Board on the effectiveness of governance risk and compliance processes.
• Supports audit processes and ensures timely resolution of audit findings and recommendations.
• Oversee the functioning of the Office of the CEO to ensure effective coordination of executive activities and priorities.
• Ensures timely preparation and quality of reports presentations and submissions for executive and board meetings.
• Coordinates strategic projects and initiatives managed through the Office of the CEO.
• Ensures effective communication and information flow between the CEO Executive Management and stakeholders.
• Monitors implementation of CEO directives and decisions across the organisation.
• Supports stakeholder engagement and relationship management initiatives led by the CEO.
• Ensures that governance and administrative processes within the Office of the CEO are efficient and compliant.
• Oversees budget planning and utilisation for functions within the COOs portfolio to ensure financial sustainability and efficiency.
• Monitors expenditure against budgets and ensures that resources are used effectively and in line with organisational priorities.
• Supports financial planning and decision-making by providing insights and recommendations.
• Ensures compliance with financial policies procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Identifies cost-saving opportunities and drives initiatives to improve financial performance.
• Ensures alignment between operational plans and financial resources.
• Reports on financial performance and risks to the CEO and relevant governance structures.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders including government departments regulators and industry partners.
• Represents the organisation in stakeholder engagements forums and meetings as required.
• Ensures alignment of stakeholder expectations with organisational objectives and service delivery commitments.
• Facilitates collaboration with external stakeholders to enhance organisational impact and performance.
• Address stakeholder concerns and escalations in a timely and professional manner.
• Supports the CEO in high-level stakeholder engagements and negotiations.
• Monitor stakeholder satisfaction and implements improvement initiatives where required.
• Build and lead an effective and cohesive team through the effective management of departmental resources.
• Lead the implementation of talent acquisition succession planning development and retention strategies for the department.
• Lead the enhancement of relevant knowledge and skills through continuous coaching mentoring and nurturing of departmental talent.
• Lead and drive a high-performance culture by translating and communicating the annual performance goals and measures based on agreed upon objectives.
• Drive a working environment that augments employee engagement recognition and productivity.

Competencies:

1. Core Competencies:

• Agility
• Result-Orientated
• Integrity
• Respect
• Professionalism
• Stakeholder Management

2. Leadership Competencies:

• Accountability
• Strategic Management
• Financial Management
• People Management
• Risk and Compliance Management
• Change Management

3. Technical Competencies:

• Governance risk and compliance
• Strategic and operational planning
• Financial and resource management
• Public sector regulatory frameworks (PFMA Treasury)
• Performance management
• Policy Development

4. Enabling Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Resilience
• Strategic Thinking

Minimum Job Inherent Requirements:

• Honours degree at (NQF 8) in Business Administration or Equivalent
• 10 years minimum experience of which 5 years at executive management level

Remuneration and Benefits

As per CETAs approved Remuneration Policy and Patterson job grading framework for Executives.

This appointment is a fixed-term contract aligned to the CETA license period (expiring 31 March 2030) subject to satisfactory performance in accordance with CETA policies.

PLEASE NOTE

Shortlisted candidates will be subject to pre-employment verifications and security vetting.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo professional competency assessments.

The appointed candidate will be required to disclose his/her financial interests.

Interested applicants should send an application letter with the vacancy/position title and reference number together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae copies of academic qualifications and names of three contactable referees via the CETA website

Please note the following contact details are for enquiries about JOB CONTENT ONLY and NOT for application purposes.

Enquiries: Be submitted by e-mail to not later than 2 days before closing date.

CETA will not consider any late applications.

The CETA reserves the right to cancel this advert and / or not to appoint. CETA will only correspond with short-listed candidates. If you do not receive correspondence from CETA within 4 weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.

All international qualifications must be submitted with a valid SAQA accreditation failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification.

Closing date: 28 September 2026 at 23h59

CETA is an equal opportunity the filling of vacant posts the objectives of section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of South Africa 1996 (Act No: 108 of 1996) the Employment Equity imperatives as defined by the Employment Equity Act 1998 (Act No: 55 of 1998) and relevant Human Resources policies of CETA will be taken into consideration. Coloured White Indians and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and preference will be given to the EE Targets.