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Land Bank Is Hiring: Specialist: Market Research and Product Development

Job Advert Summary

The Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) is South Africa’s only specialist agricultural bank established in 1912, the bank’s sole objective is to serve South African commercial and emerging farmers and bring specially designed financial services within their reach. These services enable farmers to finance land, equipment, improve assets and obtain production credit. The Land Bank provides financial services that have moved with the times and continues to provide services to agri-business and constantly reviews its offerings to ensure that they match the needs of an industry. As change has swept across the sector in South Africa the socio-economic makeup of agriculture has altered, bringing new entrants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds on to the land, these new farmers, facing the challenges of establishing sustainable agri-businesses across the agricultural value chain, Land Bank has been a commercial lifeline offering appropriately designed financial products that facilitate personal and commercial viability in a sector that is vital to the sustainability of South Africa and its people.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To examine the competitiveness of the Bank and assess potential marketability of the Land Bank and Land Bank Insurance Company (LBIC) products. To develop and review value propositions of the Bank in chosen markets and customer segments. To conduct market analysis,  and research competitors including products, pricing and services to provide further financial support to the proposals for the development of new products and services for the Bank. To maintain and review existing products and services  as well as develop new products and services for the Bank. To act as custodian for Land Bank product manuals and other related product materials.

Key Performance Areas

1. Develop and review value propositions of the Bank in chosen market and customer segments

Creates the required financial instruments as part of the structuring of a new product.

Completes financial modelling for funding, from first principles, with an advanced understanding of Microsoft Excel and financial model building.

Executes post scoping product development, takes product development projects from pre-feasibility to implementation stage.

With the analysis from the business, completes product and market analysis to assess feasibility in the market.

Structures financial transactions including risk identification and mitigation, selection of financial instruments and packaging of funding requirements, packaging of security and lead arranger negotiations.

Prepares supporting financial documentation and obtains approval on templates before launching a new product.

Advise on pricing and recommends pricing alternatives that yield proper risk/return relationship through appropriate financing instruments.

2. Conduct market research including assessment and analysis of competitor value propositions, products, pricing and services

Undertake research on the market, competitors, pricing, products and services.

Analyse and interpret all DFI, commercial bank and other appropriate financial products.

Examine those profiles applicable in Agricultural sector and their constitutions.

Understand and assesses market structures including the activities of competitors and effects of banking provision on agricultural industry.

3. Manage governance and ensure compliance with product approval process

Review the product approval process on an annual basis.

Ensure compliance with all required processes and that product-related documents are submitted to appropriate committees and approval records maintained for all product related transactions.

Custodian of the Product Advisory Committee and must ensure regular meetings and maintenance of documentation.

4. Maintain and review existing Land Bank products and services

Review existing Land Bank products on a regular basis to determine competitiveness and relevance to customers.

Ensure annual product surveys are conducted with Land Bank customers to determine client and staff perceptions on Land Bank products.

Where issues are identified, update and change product features in consultation with business units to meet requirements.

5. Develops new products and services as well as funding models for Land Bank

Based on competitor and market analysis, develops new funding models and products to bridge gaps in Land Bank product offering.

Consults with relevant business units to develop new products that meet business needs.

Produces business models and product approval documentation.

Ensure final product is approved based on product approval governance process.

Participates in product implementation and launch plan design wherever necessary.

Responsible to ensure that approved product solutions are embedded in business including IT systems, training manuals, credit and other relevant policies to allow complete implementation.

Ensure that post-implementation monitoring and evaluation occurs on a regular basis (at least quarterly) and resolves in any product related issues identified during the post-implementation phase.

In conjunction with Marketing, ensures that an appropriate marketing strategy is developed and executed with relevant materials.

6. Develops and conducts product training

In consultation with appropriate business unit, ensure that product manuals are converted to training material.

Ensures that training material are distributed to the correct audience.

Able to conduct user training if necessary on Land Bank products to a relevant audience.

Preferred Minimum Education and Experience

B Degree in Finance, Business, Economics or related field

Postgraduate qualification in Finance, Business, Economics or related field

Advanced Excel skills

5 years experience in a role supporting Investment Banking/Agricultural Finance

3 years working experience in statistical analysis and statistical packages

3 years experience in market research

3 years experience in product management

Critical Competencies

Advanced Microsoft Office

Business Acumen

Environmental management policies and practices

Financial Policies and Procedures

Agricultural Industry

Writing skills

Additional Requirements

Extended hours as and when required.

CLOSING DATE: 15 JANUARY 2024

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