Karuna Mohan

Karuna has a BA Honours (Economic History) (1991)

Her work experience includes the positions of;
Fieldworker at Inter Church AID (ICA) a Research Assistant at the Development Studies Research Group (DSRG) University of Natal, Co-ordinator at The Rehab Trust, working as an Analyst at the African National Congress. She has also held the position of Divisional Head at the South African Government, a Director at the Institute for Electronic Government IBM SA, Executive Director Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (Local Economic Development) and later as General Manager of Organisational Performance, Research and Priority Programmes. She later joined J&J Development Projects Trust as a General Manager. Ms Mohan’s experiential development and contributions are listed below;

Synopsis: Major Experiences 1991 to 2008

Policy and Concept research writing and development of policy and implementation of government policy at all levels of government (local, provincial and national). Unpacking the impact of safety and security trends at a national, regional and local level. Reviewing the application of information technology and information management based on the development context. Considered aspects of economic growth especially based on skills development assessments and knowledge transfer needs. Tracked local economic development challenges facing survival and small businesses, local government and women’s involvement in the economy.

Leadership: key leadership positions

Convened the set up of the Women Coalition in the Midlands Region (1992)
Served as treasurer of ANC Women’s League Natal Midlands Region. (1992 to 1995)
Nominated and elected to the list of ANC candidates for 1994 elections.
ANC Women’s League Representative on the Gender Task Force on Policy Proposals RDP proposals and Local Government Restructuring (1991 to 1994)
Conducted in-depth assessments and evaluation of the Malibongwe National Development Institute (Women’s Development set up in 1991)
Facilitated workshops on Local Government and Women for the Women’s Development Foundation for women of all political parties (1994)
Chaired the Technical committee on The Urban Reconstruction Programme - Special focus: Local Economic Development and Redressing past imbalances (1993-1994)
Co-Chaired the Capacity Building Committee - Special focus: empowering the marginalized and previously disadvantaged groups on governance and administration capabilities (1993-1994)
Chairperson - Women in ICT Workshop for South Africa IT Industrial Strategy (SAITIS), jointly undertaken by the Institute for Electronic Government and the Department of Trade and Industry. (Jan to March 2000)
Member of the Central Committee of the Immigrants Selection Board, Department of Home Affairs (April 2000 to April 2001)
Member of the Technology for Women in Business - Advisory Board (June 2000) reporting to all women Ministers on key sectors of the economy
Selected to be co-chairperson of the IT Policy for Government Process. (August 1999 to March 2000)
Nominated to represent women on the South African IT Industry Strategy (SAITIS) Steering Committee and chaired the Women and ICT Workshop for the SAITIS project. (March 2000)
Nominated and elected to serve as a member of the GEDA (Gauteng Economic Development Agency) Board (October 2002)
Nominated as LED specialist on Khanya-Aicdd Board (African Institute for Community Driven Development (June 2006)
Member of the Board of Lepharo (SEDA base metal incubator) (September 2006)
Nominated to Council of Ekurhuleni East Further Education Training College (March 2007)
Served on the REMDEC Gauteng Committee on set up to June 2007.

Work within and outside of government (November 1995 to present)
Research and Development relating to latest methods, systems, processes of working with information and information technology, policy implementation, development of indicators and training of trainers.

Facilitation and advisory role on women’s development, capacitating small business processes, establishing linkages between local economic development and safety and security, understanding the role of ICT in enhancing information management and implementation as well as explanation of legislation, policy development and an identification of gaps between policy and implementation.

Significant Contributions:
Restructuring and Strategy Development
Advised on restructuring processes linked to transformation at the conceptual policy level and practical implementation level. Key aspects such as gender, economic empowerment, sustaining capacity and building capability, identified as gaps were added to the transformation path and process based on the new paradigm, the spirit and intention of the new constitution and the rapid changes in society as brought about by the developments in IT, communications and the information society process and the consequential shifts witnessed in the labour market.

Information Society Initiatives
Developed an interactive network with government departments, Industry, NGOs, and Academic institutions. This led to the conceptualisation of strategic foci.
Set up an informal network of concerned women from the private sector, academia, NGO’s, rural women’s movements, parastals and government came together to detail the gender perspective relating to the industrial strategy
Facilitated the detailing of the concept of Electronic Government, appropriate for Southern Africa. (1999)
Benchmarked evaluation of the tender relating to the IT Strategy for Government. (1999)
Conducted Provincial assessments, and facilitation of a plan for management training of department heads on de-linking of IT functions. (1998 to 2000)
Assessed of re-skilling requirements for government and private sector to utilise new technologies.

Co-facilitated GovtIT Course (LINK) –: Human Resource, Financial and Information Management and Service Delivery sections (April 1999)
Conducted an orientation to Government for a visiting Lecturer (LINK) (September 1999)
Presented lectures to SADC civil servants and masters students on ICT, good governance and policy development (From July 2000)
Supervised MA thesis – e-govt (School of IT – University of Pretoria) 2001

Local Economic Development Policy and Strategy
Devised groundbreaking policies and strategies for economic growth and development at local level. The Policy and Strategy developed for Ekurhuleni is hailed as best practice by SALGA and DPLG and the economic analysis and plans developed has been benchmarked as credible in IDP engagements during 2006.

Conducted intensive planning and commenced with implementation of priority projects to revitalize the local economy.

Organisational Performance
Devised corporate wide monitoring and evaluation processes linked to planning, budgeting and service delivery. Developed learning tools, a research agenda and innovative programmes to align the work of the three spheres of government.

Managed key interventions to improve performance and partnerships.

Conceptualised, developed and implemented an ICT based application as the key tool for Performance reporting and monitoring of delivery.

Devised a Model for urban management and governance. Implemented a framework for the delivery of the model in practice, through community based planning, aligning and integrating government and private sector plans.

Published an article on Performance Reporting in the Service Delivery Review 2007.