Product Manager – Digital and Data Strategy for Urban Futures

Are you passionate about transforming urban environments through data and technology? Do you thrive in a collaborative setting where innovation drives impactful change? If so, this is your opportunity to join a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing urban governance and creating resilient, inclusive, and vibrant cities.

We are looking for an urbanist to manage our digital and data strategy advisory services and toolkits. This role involves developing frameworks, toolkits, and guides, as well as facilitating their implementation in use-case environments.

• An example of our data-sharing product is The Durban EDGE Open Data Portal. 
• An example of one of our data governance grants 
• Our digital and data governance strategy product mostly comprises toolkits and requires intensive advisory services. 

Key responsibilities

• Manage and create content for OCL’s data and digital governance toolkits and advisory services.
• Develop and manage timelines and budgets.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis and user research to inform the development of data and digital strategy offerings.
• Ensure comprehensive data governance, compliance, and security.
• Provide thought leadership and competency-building around emerging digital and data needs in urban environments.
• Act as the primary liaison between partners and internal teams.
• Understand use-case environments and optimise partner satisfaction.
• Monitor and continually improve the performance and impact of digital and data strategy offerings.
• Provide performance data for reporting.
• Contribute to OCL’s aspirational culture and leadership brand.
• Grow professionally within a rapidly scaling organisation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, international relations, governance, public policy, urban planning, or related fields OR equivalent experience.
• Additional qualifications in business science, computer science, data science, information technology, or related fields OR equivalent experience.
• Relevant certifications such as CSPO or CDMP are advantageous.

Skills and technical expertise

• Ability to translate strategic requirements into actionable digital and data strategies.
• Proficiency in evaluating digital and data readiness and closing organisational gaps.
• Strong understanding of digital and data architecture, data modelling, and ETL processes.
• Knowledge of data governance frameworks and compliance standards.
• Ability to analyse complex data sets and derive actionable insights.
• Excellent project management, budgeting, and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and leadership abilities.
• Business acumen and knowledge of the civic and NPO environment.
• Passion for urban strategy and public policy.

Experience

• Five years of experience in delivering digital products and advisory services, with at least three years focused on digital and data strategy.
• Proven success in launching and managing digital and data strategies across multiple use-case environments.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with public sector work or clients is a plus.

Culture and values

• Alignment with OCL’s aspirational culture and commitment to high ethical standards.
• Strong desire for continuous learning and professional growth.
• Commitment to ongoing performance improvement and coaching programmes.

Details

• Location: Open Cities Lab
• Start date: January/February 2025
• Contract: One-year full-time, with the option to renew based on performance and funding.
• Salary: Determined based on experience and qualifications.

Application process

Due to high application volumes, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Join us at Open Cities Lab and contribute your expertise to shaping the future of urban living through technology and design. Please apply using this LINK

Company Description

We believe that through empowering citizens, building trust and accountability in civic space, and building capacity with government, we will enable participation in decision-making, evidence-based urban intervention, and inclusive co-design that will improve the lives of residents in urban spaces.

Our organisation is made up of Researchers, Software Developers, Economists, Data Scientists, Designers and Product Owners who get to constantly expand their knowledge and learn peripheral skills as part of the job. We are all driven by a common purpose as a non-partisan community founded on the belief of equality and inclusion through openness across all aspects of society.

All applicants who are drawn to serve the mission of Open Cities Lab will enjoy Equality of Opportunity and fair treatment without regard to:
– Race
– Colour
– Age
– Religion
– Pregnancy
– Sex
– Sexual orientation
– Disability
– Gender identity
– Gender expression
– National origin
– Genetic information
– Marital status
– Prior protected activity

Women, Nonbinary, BIPOC, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Posted on 26 Nov 10:45, Closing date 20 Dec