ST HELENA GOVERNMENT

TERMS OF REFERENCE

DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTERPRISE

Overview:

The £250m airport construction contract is almost complete and has started the transformation of St Helena to a high-value tourism driven economy. Developing an island-wide sustainable economy based on tourism, is the key priority in the coming years. The construction, and subsequent operation of the airport in early 2016, is creating many opportunities for on-island and inward investors, be they large or small. The island has already attracted support from Saints on island starting businesses and is starting to attract international investors. It is forecast that the economy will grow six fold in 10 years.

The island is rich in heritage, is environmentally important, has some stunning scenery and is warm and welcoming. Investment opportunities include Tourism accommodation, food and beverage, retail as well as experiences: amazing sports fishing, diving, golf, walking, guiding, experiential etc.

The island is an open economy that needs, and therefore welcomes, expertise and capital; it is easy to invest, whether to start or develop an existing businesses. A British Overseas territory, St Helena is a very stable and reliable environment, has the added benefits of a great tropical climate, is very safe (the police are unarmed) and friendly.

Economic Development is supported through the Government’s Sustainable Development Plan (SDP), Sustainable Economic Development Plan (SEDP), Tourism Strategy (TS) and Land Development Control Plan (LDCP). Ideally the post holder will support Private Sector growth and development through and beyond airport opening; the initial appointment will be for two years, renewable by mutual agreement.

Enterprise St. Helena (ESH) is an arms’ length organisation created in 2012, with a wide remit to promote private sector development based on tourism, up-skill Saints, assist and finance local businesses and attract inward investment. It has a complement of 32 staff which includes a small and highly motivated Business Development Team and Commercial Representatives in South Africa and UK.

Organisation: Enterprise St Helena (ESH)Section: Business Development

Job Purpose: Responsible to the Chief Executive of ESH for identifying new commercial activities and driving private sector growth.

Supervision:Overall responsibility for the Business Development Team, with direct line management of the Private Sector Development Manager and the Business Adviser.

Job Outline:

The Director of Commercial Development & Enterprise will have the primary responsibility for identifying new commercial activities and driving private sector growth. This includes the following:

On-island Focus

  1. Effective-on-island Business Development. Ensure that the on-island service provided by the Business Development Team led by the Private Sector Development Manager is excellent and addresses the needs of local users. This includes building capacity to develop and implement sustainable market and business development strategies including identifying new opportunities, developing client relationships, supporting the creation of business proposals and plans.
  1. Identifying business opportunities. Enabling Saints to maximise upcoming opportunities, particularly import versus export opportunities, will be vital, so it is essential to identify and help local businesses in their development efforts.
  1. Developing local businesses. Provide advice and assistance to existing small and medium size local businesses - see, appraise and develop their businesses / assets, to exploit opportunities in the hospitality, leisure and other sectors;
  1. Liaising with local strategic players such Chamber of Commerce, and Trade Associations to ensure that ESH plans take account of their views and aspirations.
  1. Working in partnership with SHG to facilitate the release and reuse of Crown Land and surplus or redundant built assets, delivering value for money in economic development to support the SEDP; and to bring about commercial use of these assets;
  1. Managing client relationships and ensuring that the ESH Board, stakeholders and relevant subcommittees are kept informed of market opportunities and business development.
  1. Responsibility for devising and managing the Business Sector plan and budget within the Business Development Sector.

International Focus

  1. Strategic. The planning and delivery of strategy and tactics to maximise economic development on St Helena in line with the Sustainable Economic Development Plan and best practice - including setting the priorities, activities planning, budget control and oversight of expenditure;
  1. Attracting and securing both inward investment. Working with the UK and South Africa Commercial Advisers to promote and market the development opportunities available on St Helena, both directly, and through the use of appropriate agents;
  1. Build relationships with international trade partners. Working with the Director of Tourism, to continue the international marketing plan, with advertising, trade shows, promotions and direct approaches to hotel groups and investors. The UK, South Africa, the USA and France are key markets;

In addition, as a member of the Enterprise St Helena Corporate Team, there will be corporate responsibility covering:

  • Accountability to the ESH Board and to DFID for the expenditure of funds;
  • Effective cooperation and coordination across ESH;
  • Ensuring effective organisational planning and continuous improvement;
  • Managing ESH’s resources effectively;
  • Enhancing ESH’s public image; and
  • Monitoring ESH’s performance

Within Enterprise St Helena, and specifically within the Business Development Sector, the post holder will also be responsible for:

  • Achieving planned outputs;
  • Line management of staff;
  • Policy formulation and implementation;
  • Strategic advice and planning;
  • Budget and resource allocation;
  • International Public Relations;
  • Efficiency and Productivity – continuous improvement; and
  • Continuous Professional Development (self and team)

The post holder will be expected to provide and facilitate:

  • Leadership and team direction
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Innovation

Physical and Financial Assets:

  • Overall Business Development and Investment budget
  • Project Budgets
  • ESH vehicles when used
  • Office Equipment

Special Conditions:

The post holder will be occasionally required to work outside normal office hours, including weekends and public holidays; be prepared to undertake international travel, both scheduled and unscheduled, as may be required; undertake product and development visits to accommodation, eating establishments, visitor attractions, and other tourism products.

The post holder will be able to work under pressure and deal with complex situations.

Personal Qualities and Skills Required:

This post requires strong interpersonal and strategic thinking skills. The post holder will deal with a wide range of on and off-island stakeholders, including local businesses and associations, senior government officials, and prospective international investors. The candidate will have or need to develop empathy with the development aspirations of small island communities, and have patience and understanding in working within their political economy environments. The candidate will need to be politically sensitive and personally resilient with strengths in building and managing relationships, working with and influencing others and steering stakeholders towards a jointly agreed vision of sustainable economic growth based on tourism.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills Required:

Essential:

  • A Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline
  • Strong leadership, motivational and communication skills and experience
  • Between 5 and 10 years’ experience of successful commercial management in asenior role
  • Working with local businesses in small communities to expand and develop
  • Flexible, and results focused
  • Outstanding interpersonal and networking skills
  • Strong organisational skills
  • A keen eye for detail
  • Project management and financial planning skills
  • Happy working in a small team with minimal supervision, requiring a hands-on approach

Desirable: Including some of following:

  • Membership of a relevant professional body
  • A broad range of industry contacts in key markets such as the US, UK and South Africa
  • Existing familiarity with St Helena or other small island experience.

TOR Director of Commercial Development and Enterprise

Enterprise St Helena

Draft 121015