Project Manager: Coaching and Mentoring for Enterprise Development

As the Project Manager for Coaching and Mentoring, you will plan, coordinate and quality assure all coaching, mentoring and non accredited training under the uMngeni-uThukela Water ESD Programme. You will work closely with the Project Lead and the Project Manager: Training to ensure beneficiaries receive practical, needs based support that helps them progress through the Business Growth Cycle to graduation.

Your key areas of focus will include:

• Recruiting, vetting and contracting a pool of coaches and mentors at various levels, and matching them to enterprises based on sector and growth stage.
• Setting and maintaining a mentorship framework, monitoring session reports and stepping in where progress is weak.
• Designing and coordinating a non accredited training calendar, managing facilitators and ensuring materials are current and accessible.
• Developing a stakeholder map and engagement plan, building relationships with municipalities, development agencies, funders and industry bodies.
• Organising supplier linkage sessions, networking forums and information sessions.
• Tracking beneficiary progress, setting up an alumni network for aftercare, and managing the coaching and mentoring budget.

You will also provide inputs for reports, ensure evidence is complete, and document lessons learned. The role involves regular travel to beneficiary sites and stakeholder meetings, and you may personally coach or facilitate selected sessions.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Development Studies, Communication or a related field.
• A recognised coaching or mentoring qualification (e.g. COMENSA aligned) will be an advantage.
• A certificate in project management or stakeholder management will be an advantage.
• At least 5 years of experience in enterprise development, SMME support or business coaching.
• At least 3 years managing coaching, mentoring or training programmes, including contracted mentors or facilitators.
• Proven experience engaging municipalities, government agencies, state owned entities or corporate supply chains.
• Experience on ESD or supplier development programmes is preferred.
• Good understanding of SMME development, the Business Growth Cycle and South African ESD and B-BBEE frameworks.
• Knowledge of the local SMME support ecosystem in KwaZulu Natal.
• Coaching, facilitation and adult learning skills.
• Strong stakeholder management, networking and presentation skills.
• Programme planning, budgeting and quality assurance skills.
• Strong report writing skills and good working knowledge of MS Office.
• Fluency in English; isiZulu is an advantage.
• Valid driver's licence required for regular travel.

• Recruit, vet and contract a pool of coaches and mentors at junior, mid level, senior and specialist levels (NQF 6 to 9) with relevant sector experience.
• Match each enterprise with a coach or mentor based on sector, growth stage and the development plan agreed with the Project Manager: Training.
• Set standards for session frequency, content, goal setting, reporting and sign off across the panel.
• Coordinate Expansion Suite advisory support such as upscaling strategies, board development and leadership succession.
• Review coaching and mentoring session reports monthly and intervene where engagement or progress is weak, including re matching.
• Observe sample sessions, collect beneficiary feedback and review mentor performance at least twice a year.
• Prepare an annual non accredited training calendar aligned with the accredited training plan and budget.
• Design and coordinate practical workshops on business management, tendering, BOQ pricing, contract management, financial literacy and digital marketing.
• Brief and manage facilitators, ensuring sessions are delivered to standard and on schedule.
• Ensure training materials are current, relevant to the UUW supply chain, available in English and isiZulu where needed, and accessible.
• Coordinate beneficiary workshops and conferences, including content, speakers and logistics with the Project Administrator.
• Collect learner feedback after every session and act on poor ratings.
• Develop and maintain a stakeholder map and annual engagement plan approved by the Project Lead.
• Build working relationships with participating municipalities and LED offices to support recruitment and local alignment.
• Engage development agencies, funders, financial institutions, chambers of commerce and industry bodies for referrals and specialist support.
• Organise supplier linkage sessions and networking forums with UUW contractors and other buyers.
• Coordinate information sessions, panel stakeholder events and graduation ceremonies with the Project Administrator.
• Ensure all UUW facing communication goes through the Project Lead and that stakeholder messages are consistent.
• Keep a register of all stakeholder engagements, commitments and follow up actions.
• Track coaching and training outcomes against each beneficiary's development plan, with the Project Manager: Training.
• Agree corrective actions with mentors where enterprises fall behind.
• Set up an alumni network so graduated enterprises keep access to mentors, peers and stakeholder opportunities.
• Manage the coaching, mentoring and non accredited training budget against the approved budget split and BOQ rates.
• Prepare scopes and contracts for coaches, mentors and facilitators, and confirm hours and deliverables against attendance registers before payment.
• Ensure interventions are cost effective and fairly distributed across municipalities.
• Provide inputs for weekly, monthly and quarterly reports, and ensure every intervention has complete POE.
• Document success stories, case studies and stakeholder outcomes for close out reports.