A call for nomination of a candidate in the field of information technology for appointment as a board member of the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development appointed members to the Perishable Products Export Control Board with effect from 1 February 2023, in terms of Section 4(1) of the Perishable Products Export Control Act, 1983(‘the Act’).

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development approved the appointment of an additional person with experience in the field of Information Technology to be appointed as an additional Board member as provided for by section 4(3) of the Act. Section 4(3) of the Act states that the Minister may on recommendation of the board appoint on such conditions and for such period as she may determine, a person as an additional member of the board, for a particular purpose.

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development hereby calls for nominations from any interested persons to submit before Monday 9 October 2023, the names of interested persons, together with their CVs, a copy of their ID document, as well as copies of qualifications for consideration towards appointment into the PPECB.

A written acceptance of the nomination by the nominee must accompany each nomination.

The incumbent should possess and demonstrate the following competencies across the main ICT components relating to hardware, software, networks, data management, people, and processes

1. Qualifications: The Board member must hold a minimum Bachelor's degree in ICT and/or computer sciences.
2. Expertise: The board member should possess an in-depth knowledge and a diverse set of specialist skills in ICT, with a focus on relevant technologies, trends, and best practices within the fast-changing ICT landscape.
3. Industry experience: They should have a strong background and experience in the ICT industry, with a track record of successful leadership roles at a senior or executive level.
4. Strategic and critical thinking: The individual should demonstrate strong strategic and critical thinking abilities and be able to align ICT initiatives with the overall organizational goals and objectives, including ways in which to improve knowledge and resource retention
5. Governance knowledge: Sound understanding of corporate governance principles and practices, including compliance, risk management, and ethical considerations, is essential.
6. Public sector understanding: Understanding of the unique challenges and dynamics of the public sector, including the legislative framework, government regulations and policies, is important for effective decision-making.
7. Leadership skills: The board member should exhibit strong leadership qualities, including the ability to communicate effectively, inspire and motivate others, make tough decisions, and manage change effectively.
8. Innovation mindset: A forward-thinking, creative, collaborative and innovative mindset is crucial to drive digital transformation and harness new technologies for the benefit of the organization and its stakeholders.
9. Digital literacy: They should possess a high level of digital literacy and be able to streamline/optimise processes and assess the implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
10. Cultural diversity and inclusion: Demonstrate a commitment for cultural diversity and inclusivity to foster an environment that embraces diverse perspectives, promotes equality and progresses transformation.
11. Commitment to learning and development: The board member should demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, keeping up with industry trends, and staying updated on emerging technologies and the potential impact on the organization - as well as have the ability to better capacitate fellow board members and build their ICT skills for the purposes of optimum decision-making.

It is essential that nominated candidates for appointment to the board include individuals who fairly represent different races and all genders to enable the Minister to appoint a board reflecting the composition of the South African population.

Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check including criminal record, citizenship qualification/s verification, financial record/asset check and study previous employment verification.

Nominations must be sent to:

Chief Director: Executive Support Services
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Private Bag X250
Pretoria
0001

Nominations must be marked for the attention of Ms M van Rooyen
Enquiries: Ms M van Rooyen
Tel.: 012 312 9774
Email: marionvr@dalrrd.gov.za