Wanted: 20 Board Members to help transform Africa

“You have a limited time to stay on Earth. You must try and use that period for the purpose of transforming your country into what you desire it to be.”

– Nelson Mandela

 

What if it were possible to eradicate poverty, crime, corruption and violence in Africa?

What if we could significantly lower unemployment, and deliver hope and opportunity to the youth?

What if we could empower people at a grassroots level with in-demand skills and competencies?

What if we told you that that this – and more – is possible? Would you join the movement for positive, significant change?

The Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS), in collaboration with the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA), is searching for a team of like-minded professionals to join our mission of creating a better Africa for others to inherit.

We are looking for 20 individuals with a strong Ubuntu mind-set who are passionate about building brighter, better tomorrows for all who call Africa home. All 20 must have a specific area of specialisation, preferably with leadership experience, and all will receive board member training. 15 trail-blazing change-makers will join our green team as GIFS Board Members while five young go-getters will form the GIFS Young Professionals Board.

Interviews begin in early March and candidates will be benchmarked against strict criteria:

MAIN BOARD

  • 41 years and older
  • Degree in the relevant field of expertise.  A lack of the relevant degree shall not be a barrier to entry.
  • Preference will be given to candidates with experience in Management Committee, or Executive Committee.
  • Preference will be given to candidates with experience as a Board Member.
  • Preference will be given to candidates who align to our GIFS WHY and have sufficient time to commit to the cause.
  • Preference will be given to candidates with a proven track record of leadership experience.
  • Candidates must have a well-defined area of focus or specialisation.

 

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD

  • 40 years and younger
  • Degree in the relevant field of expertise.  A lack of the relevant degree shall not be a barrier to entry.
  • Experience within the Financial Services industry.
  • Candidates must occupy a Leadership position or display the potential for a future Leadership position
  • Candidates must have a well-defined area of focus or specialisation.

 

Area of Focus or specialisation

Academic Specialist

  • Relevant Degree
  • Experience in Higher Education. 10 years minimum for Main Board and 5 years minimum for the Young Professionals Board.
  • Experience as a Senior Lecturer or curriculum developer or having worked for a Higher Education Institution.
  • Preference will be given to candidates that occupied roles such as Executives, Deans, Vice Chancellor, Professor, Lecturer, Principal or Accreditations Specialist, or part of previous Academic Board.

 

Short Term Insurance Specialist

  • Relevant degree or Fellow/ Associate of the Insurance Institute of South Africa.
  • Experience in Short Term Insurance. 10 years minimum for Main board and 5 years minimum for the Young Professionals Board.

 

Financial Planning and Investment Specialist

  • Bcom Degree or post graduate certificate in Financial Planning
  • Experience in Financial Planning and Investment. 10 years minimum for Main Board and 5 years minimum for Young Professionals Board.
  • A CFP designate will be advantageous

 

Banking Specialist

  • Relevant Degree
  • Experience in Business, Retail, Private and Transactional Banking. 10 years minimum for Main board and 5 years minimum for Young Professionals Board.
  • CAIB designation will be advantageous

 

 Human Resources

  • Degree in HR or Talent Development
  • Human resources experience. Minimum of 10 years for Main Board and 5 years for Young Professionals Board.
  • Preference given to managerial Human Resources experience.

 

Legal

  • Degree in Law
  • Experience in Legal field. Minimum of 15 years for Main Board and 10 years for Young Professional Boards.
  • Preference given to legal compliance and litigation experience.

 

Marketing

  • Relevant Degree
  • Experience in Marketing. Minimum of 10 years for Main Board and 5 years for Young Professionals Board.
  • Preference given to managerial marketing experience and experience in large scale marketing of entities.

 

Sales

  • Relevant Degree
  • Experience in Sales. Minimum of 15 years for Main board and 10 years for Young Professionals Board.
  • Experiencing in scaling business and track record in local and international scaling of businesses.
  • Experience in building sales teams (locally and internationally).
  • Understanding of African markets and territories.

 

Finance and Analytics

  • Relevant degree.
  • CA(SA) will be advantageous.
  • Experience in Finance and Analytics. Minimum of 15 years for Main board and 10 years for Young Professionals Board.
  • Understanding of SARS compliance, cost accounting and analytics.
  • Preference will be given to management of Finance teams.

 

Media and Communications  

  •  Relevant Degree
  • Experience in Media and Communications. Minimum of 15 years for Main board and 10 years for Young Professionals Board.

 

Insurance Industry Expert  

  • Relevant Degree
  • Experience in innovation and strategy within the Financial Services Industry. Minimum of 10 years for Main board and 5 years for Young Professionals Board.
  • Must have a proven track record in Financial Services and currently occupy an Executive role

 

Educational Specialist

  • Relevant degree
  • Experience as an Educator, Head of department, Principal. Minimum of 10 years for Main Board and 5 years for Young Professionals Board.
  • Must have understanding of CHE/SAQA/DHET/SETA and uMalusi
  • Must have served or currently occupy an executive role

 

Deadline for submissions is 5 March 2022. Shortlisted candidates will begin training from 24 March 2022.

If you meet the above criteria and would like to be part of a movement committed to carving new sustainable, inclusive pathways for Africa, please get in touch with the GIFS team at [email protected] or click here to apply.

 


14 February 2022