Posted: 01 January 2022
Link to Apply: https://cricket.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Job-Advert-CSA-Head-of-High-Performance.pdf
CSA (Cricket South Africa/Company) is the national governing body for the sport of cricket in South Africa and administers all aspects of South African cricket.
A position for a Head: High Performance has become available. The successful candidate will be responsible for the CSA High Performance Pathway programme objectives with the strategic intent of strengthening the pathway to the national teams. The role involves leading the strategic direction of the department and support the team that drives the performance pillars, talent Identification pathway programmes, and the Player and Coach Development programme for both male and female pathways. The Head: High Performance is expected to lead a progressive High-Performance programme responsible for creating an environment that facilitates and drives continual improvement from players, coaches, and staff to allow them to perform at the highest possible level. It will be responsible for driving a values-based culture which aligns to both our identity and our strategic direction, as we are implementing the playing philosophy throughout our elite programmes (includes professional cricket).
The more important criteria for the appointment is set out below and although not exhaustive, would serve as a guideline in assessing prospective candidates.
Key job duties/responsibilities:
Key performance areas include but are not limited to the following:
- Business Unit Strategy Implementation
a) Provides strategic leadership and ongoing planning for the CSA Cricket High Performance programme that continues to drive alignment, development and performance across our system.
b) Leads the CSA High Performance team with direct responsibility for all the High Performance Programme pillars as stated in the CSA strategic high performance plan including the long term cricketers and coach development strategy.
c) Effectively leads the development of all appointed High-Performance staff, including but not restricted to the programme coaches / leads / analysts / Member Professional Cricket support staff.
d) Creates and maintains a High-Performance Plan that aligns with Professional Cricket and CSA’s strategic intent, and that drives the strategic direction of CSA Cricket High Performance.
e) Leads the strategic connection and communication with our high-performance network that drives engagement, promotes understanding, and builds collaboration.
f) Establishes and grows key relationships with other sports and sporting bodies that build the long-term strength of South African Cricket high performance programme. - Management of High Performance Programmes for Males and Females Cricket
a) Ensures that the strategic performance pillars are created, implemented and reviewed with the intent of bridging the gap between Domestic and International cricket.
b) Supports the National programme for Male and Female National Coaches in creating a performance culture that aims to deliver players ready for international competitions.
c) Fosters elite programmes that drive the CSA Player Performance Plan principles which strives to enhance planning and delivery of resources that enable identified cricketers and coaches to realise their true potential.
d) Leads the implementation, management and delivery of Personal Development Plans of identified cricketers within the elite programmes in conjunction with their respective coaches (align on the future prospect).
e) Leads the implementation of the Playing Philosophy – developing creative cricketers with superior decision-making skills through professional instruction, guidance and independent thinking.
f) Ensures that the National Male and Female Coaches effectively delivers pre-briefing and post-briefing of Proteas Tours / Camps with the intent of providing a clear transition between national teams and High Performance (HP) / Domestic Professional Teams (align and manage the elite cricketers).
g) Effectively participates in the processes with respect to selection panels and selection process.
h) Ensures that the performance management review processes of all staff under the HP programme achieve strategic goals and maximise staff performance and accountability.
i) Ensures that the annual facilities usage plan at the CSA Centre of Excellence is designed, implemented and reviewed in accordance with the Elite programme requirements.
j) Ensures that the National Academy programme is implemented in accordance with the programme’s key objectives and playing philosophy. - Management of the Human Resources for the High Performance Division
a) Ensures that the HP programme utilises the latest best practice technology and systems available to cricket and professional sports.
b) Ensures that all technical and specialist support staff are effectively integrated with the overall HP programme.
c) Stand in as Head Coach for HP Teams, when the appointed Head Coaches are seconded to other elite programmes.
d) Sets annual performance objectives for employees and ensures performance reviews are conducted and signed off.
e) Develops action plans to address identified skills gaps
f) Provides supervision, mentoring and technical support to team members by way of delegation.
g) Ensures team has knowledge, understanding and adherence of organisation’s policies and procedures. - Talent Identification and Pathway Programmes
a) Supports the CSA Talent Identification programme – review and develop Talent ID programme aligned to the Playing philosophy in conjunction with the Programme Managers, formalize Talent ID Scouting Network that sees talented cricketers identified at an early age and offered a comprehensive programme that realises their potential.
b) Manages the creation, implementation and reviewing of pathway talent identification systems and processes to develop a quantifiable pathway for future succession and sustainability.
c) Supports the Pathway programmes in facilitating and sourcing potential talent, utilising the appointed coaching staff and resources available.
d) Ensures that the Talent ID and Pathway programmes are effectively integrated with the overall High Performance programme for both Professional and Amateur cricket at CSA Member level. - Management of Strategic Relationships to High Performance Programme
a) Identifies the relevant role players in accordance with CSA requirements and dependencies.
b) Sets-up meetings with the role players to discuss the roles and responsibilities and possible areas of cooperation, improvement and conflict.
c) Obtains mutual agreement on the resolution of issues, meetings required and the delivery of interdependent outputs and results.
d) Agrees to the expected outcomes from each party and set-up SLA’s where required.
e) Monitors the performance of all relevant role players continuously to ensure that the agreements are honoured.
f) Informs the relevant role players of the outcomes, deviations and actions required.
g) Implements continuous follow-up to ensure that the relationship is maintained.
h) Compiles a database indicating the role players, expected outputs, contact details, type of agreements and relationships.
i) Documents the interaction with the relevant role players for future reference purposes.
j) Submits the documentation for archiving in the document management system.
k) Manages relationships in accordance with policies, procedures and legal requirements.
l) Manages relationships within the allocated time frame. - Management of Finances
a) Manages the compiling of the budget and forecast in accordance with policies, procedures and budgetary guidelines.
b) Monitors the budgetary actions to compare the actual figures against the budgeted figures.
c) Reviews the budget at the prescribed intervals to determine variances and corrective actions.
d) Reports on the progress and cashflows against budget at the required periods. - Management of Transformation
a) Analyses the CSA Transformation Strategy to determine applicability and targets to be achieved by different divisions.
b) Analyses the National Transformation Priorities to determine applicability and targets to be achieved.
c) Compiles & implements a Transformation Strategy for the HP Pathway indicating:
i. Transformation Plans on the Short, Medium and Long-Term Basis.
ii. Transformation Objective.
iii. Transformation Targets based on the Strategy.
d) Monitors progress and performance against the HP Pathway Transformation Strategy to ensure that targets set are achieved.
e) Implements corrective actions were required to ensure that the Strategy is executed.
f) Reports on Transformation Actions planned and achieved.
g) Manages transformation in accordance with policies, procedures and legal requirements.
h) Ensures that transformation is managed within allocated time frames. - Conduct Research
a) Initiates research through a pro-activity into trends; or
b) Receives a request for research and analyses to determine the objectives and outcomes of the research.
c) Defines the objectives of the research in accordance with the requirements.
d) Conducts the research using best practice principles.
e) Collects the appropriate data utilising all relevant resources.
f) Analyse the data and represent as required.
g) Produces the research outcomes in accordance with standards and format containing all the relevant information satisfying the objectives and the outcomes of the research.
h) Distributes the research outcomes to the relevant role players.
i) Conducts research in accordance with policies, procedures and legal requirements.
j) Conducts research within the allocated time frame. - Ad Hoc
a) Performs such additional functions as may be instructed by the Director of Cricket (DOC) from time to time.
b) Ensures that allocated projects as specified by Line Manager are completed and that project deadlines have been met.
c) Ensures that Project delivery does not affect or set back normal deadlines.
Essential requirements pertaining to the candidate’s qualifications and experience:
a) A Degree in Sports Management and Administration (NQF 7) or an equivalent qualification.
b) A Level 4 Cricket Coaching Qualification will be an advantage.
c) A minimum of five (5) years related working experience operating in a High-Performance environment, management of a High-Performance programme, Development and Management of annual strategic and operational HP plans, Coaching and Coach Development.
In addition, the following competencies (skills and behavioural attributes) would be important:
a) Sound knowledge of CSA’s business environment and corporate identity of CSA.
b) Sound knowledge and understanding of contract administration and management.
c) Knowledge and understanding of the Financial Policies and Procedures.
d) Knowledge and understanding of a high-performance sports and environment.
e) Knowledge and understanding of quality management systems and processes.
f) Communication.
g) Project management.
h) Influencing.
i) Interpersonal skills.
j) Leadership.
k) Media management.
l) People management.
m) Ability to identify and manage the political relationships affecting the operations of the division.
n) Problem solving.
o) Relationship management.
p) Strategic decision making.
q) Stress management.
r) Team management.
s) Adaptability.
t) Approachable.
u) Assertiveness.
v) Critical thinking.
w) Cultural sensitivity.
x) Diversity management.
y) Emotional intelligence.
z) Innovation.
The role with report to the Director of Cricket (DOC). The role requires the ability and willingness to travel, work long hours, over weekends and public holidays where necessary.
The successful candidate will be based at the CSA Centre of Excellence, LC de Villiers Sports Grounds, HPC, Burnett Street, Hatfield, Pretoria. Qualifying candidates can apply to careers@cricket.co.za with a comprehensive CV, copy of SA ID, copies of qualifications and at least two contactable references.
All applications will be treated in strict confidence. Short listed candidates will undergo interviews and possible additional assessments.
In making the final selection, consideration will be given to the employment equity objectives of CSA. A performance agreement shall be entered into with the successful applicant. CSA reserves the right not to make an appointment.
The closing date for all applications is 31 January 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Should you not receive a response to your application within 14 days after the closing date, please consider it as being unsuccessful.
CSA is an equal opportunity, affirmative employer. It is our intention to promote and broaden the diversity of our workforce ensuring South Africans of all races, gender, disability can be involved in the administration of cricket. The appointments are made in line with CSA’s employment equity commitments.
