Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the following posts:
*NB: Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences is an equal opportunities employer. In the interest of promoting gender parity, female candidates are encouraged to apply.
VICE CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE
Director Business Development and Industrialization (1 Post)
Reporting to the Pro-Vice Chancellor, the Director Business Development and Industrialization is responsible for initiating, recommending, project appraisal, implementing, and monitoring policies, systems and procedures dealing with University industrialization and Business Development.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Initiating, recommending, appraising, implementing and monitoring policies, systems and procedures dealing with University industrialization and business development.
• Leading in the creation of Spin offs, joint Ventures and other short term and long term income generating projects.
• Providing leadership, oversight and direction to the faculties and departments in all industrialization, business development programmes, strategic partnerships and the services that support them.
• Superintending over the establishment and operations of innovation hubs which transform knowledge into commercialisable goods and services.
• Ensuring protection of Intellectual Property through observance and participating in due processes of lodging registering and ultimate patenting of innovations.
• Supervision of industrialization, business development and strategic partnerships seminar series which discuss matters of international repute.
• Developing performance benchmarks and quality monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the institution’s innovation hubs and industrial parks.
• Develop mechanisms for promoting innovation and production of goods and services with private and public companies, regional and international organizations, and other academic institutions.
• Coordinating and facilitating collaborations with industry leading to the setting up of industrial hubs and parks.
• Ensuring internal compliance with national and international quality standards in the manufacturing, marketing and administrative process associated with running projects and business; and setting up business management systems that comply with best practice in procurement, processing, marketing and distribution value chains.
• Generate new income streams through commercialisation of knowledge capital, facilities and/or research and development projects.
• Identify opportunities to exploit the University’s academic endeavours to create new income streams.
• Producing bankable Business Plans for the various university projects with the relevant cash flows and capital budgeting appraisal techniques.
• Actively engage with academics and administration staff to fully understand the capabilities and knowledge capital in-order to deliver on projects and opportunities with external businesses and companies.
• Engage with business development managers, or equivalents, in other institutions and work collegiately to assure the University achieves its targets and realises identified opportunities.
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders on industrialisation and business development issues.
• liaising with investors for the University’s joint venture partnerships with the private sector.
• Any other related duties as may be assigned by the Vice Chancellor.
Desired Qualifications and Experience
• A Master’s Degree in Engineering/Science and Technology/Agribusiness and Commerce/Applied Social Sciences, Business Administration, Business Leadership related programme or equivalent.
• A first Degree in Engineering/Science and Technology/Agribusiness and Commerce/Applied Social Sciences, related programme or equivalent.
• A relevant PhD is an added advantage.
• At least five (5) years post-qualification experience, two (2) of which should be at senior level in a reputable organization.
• Have proven experience in industrialization, business development, commercialization and management of IP.
• Have the ability to establish public and private partnerships to foster business relationships.
• Applicants should be mature, be of high integrity, have excellent written and oral communication skills, have good interpersonal skills and organizational skills and have the ability to multitask.
APPLICATIONS
Interested candidates must submit six (6) sets of hardcopy applications, certified copies of certificates, transcripts, national identification (ID & birth certificate) and a detailed curriculum vitae giving full personal particulars including full name, place and date of birth, qualifications, date of availability, current salary, contact details, names and addresses of three referees addressed to:
Director Human Resource, Monitoring and Evaluation
Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences
Bag 7001, Stair Guthrie Road
Mutare
The deadline for submission of applications is no later than 1400 hours on 06 June 2025. Applicants should clearly indicate the post being applied for on the application letter, and only shortlisted candidates will be communicated to. Applicants must also submit a soft copy of all documents in a single PDF thread to: hr@msuas.ac.zw
