Managing Director
Pretoria
Long Term Contract
Purpose
We invite applications from suitably qualified and motivated individuals for the position of Managing Director. We are seeking a visionary, well-networked systems thinker with excellent leadership & managerial skills. A research-based doctorate with Environmental Science, Ecosystems and/or Earth Science/Systems relevance must be complemented by 10 years as an Environmental/Earth/Ecosystems scientist/science manager in South Africa and a demonstrable record of scholarly accomplishment. Applicants must have at least 5 years’ experience in senior
general science leadership and management of a large entity inclusive of organisational strategy development, financial and procurement oversight in a public sector context and experience in managing other managers. A qualification in management sciences and a broad disciplinary involvement across environmental systems will strengthen a candidature.
Key Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership and Positioning
- Lead the development and execution of a fit-for-purpose science agenda for the Client, coupled to establishment and sustainable resourcing of Nodes and Research Infrastructures as open access research platforms with strong national collaborations and international accreditations
- Position the Client to continue to provide high quality scientific services that enable decision support for government at a local, provincial and national level as well as by the broader environmental sector
- Ensure that the Client develops and maintains an ecosystem of information management platforms that will promote scientific synthesis and decision support for effective environmental stewardship and sustainable development at all levels of society.
- Position the Client for effective evidence-based science advocacy, science diplomacy and impactful science-policy interlocution
- Promote an Engaged Research approach by the Client through the co-creation of research agendas and co-generation of knowledge with the community, where appropriate
- Guide and perform continuous organizational strategy and business model development, implementation and evaluation in the context of national policies (e.g. the STI White Paper, NDP 2030) and international standards (e.g. SDGs, open access to data)
- Guide, develop and coach the Client’s management team as well as inspire employees to achieve the organization’s strategic objectives
- Be the authentic custodian and champion of organizational culture and values
- Develop and enhance the Client’s capacity to assume national and international leadership roles within the scope of the organization
- Drive a performance culture within the Client by continuously monitoring and assessing organizational progress against qualitative and quantitative targets and troubleshooting internal and external systemic bottlenecks.
- Ensure that the Client is effectively positioned to drive an impactful Science Engagement programme.
General Operations Management and Administration
- Balance core operations and organizational priorities with the statutory and contractual obligations of delivering to key government and other stakeholders
- Provide effective stewardship of the Client’s financial resources in accordance with PFMA requirements and their Financial Policies and processes.
- Oversee the Human Resources and Talent Management of employees, including recruitment, training & development, employee relations, diversity & inclusion, performance management, and succession planning.
- Ensure that the procurement activities and processes of the Client are compliant with PPPFA requirements and the procurement and supply chain policies / procedures
- Take accountability for upholding Safety/Health/Environment and Risk Management processes and standards to ensure efficient and effective operations
- Oversee the management of fixed and moveable assets including buildings, land, off-road vehicles, vessels, aircraft and research equipment in accordance with the Client’s policies and procedures
- Lead and take accountability for the fulfilment of the Client’s quarterly, annual and longer term planning and reporting obligations in accordance with the prescribed cycles and processes.
- Perform all duties and functions in accordance with the position’s Delegation of Authority and the Delegation of Authority Framework
Corporate Responsibilities
- The individual will function as a member of the executive management team of the National Research Facilities comprised of other managing directors, as well as operating as part of the extended executive leadership team.
- Serve on Corporate and stakeholder structures as appropriate
- Contribute constructively into corporate and national plans, documents and policies
- Promote efficient and effective data stewardship, knowledge management, reporting and accountability within the organization
- Promote inter-business unit collaborations and partnership to advance innovation, drive organizational transformation, enhance impact and forge sustainability
- Participate in and/or lead Corporate strategic initiatives, tasks or projects as may be required
- Oversee the implementation of, and compliance with, various Corporate policies as well as statutes and regulations applicable.
Stakeholder relations, communications and organizational reputation building
- Grow the organizational network through collaborative partnerships and strategic initiatives with global and local organizations and initiatives
- Develop the Client’s capacity to deliver a broad range of environmental ecosystem monitoring and research services to address the environmental management information needs of public and private clients
- Oversee an effective and strategic communications programme including strategic use of social media to enhance the reputation of the Client
- Act as official organizational spokesperson and the key organizational reputation architect and manager
- The appointment will be for a fixed term contract period of five years, with a possibility of extension for a further term subject to satisfactory performance and continued organizational relevance of the position.
Qualifications
- A research-based doctorate with Environmental Science, Ecosystems and/or Earth Science/Systems relevance
Experience
- Ten(10) years as an Environmental/Earth/Ecosystems scientist/science manager in South Africa and a demonstrable record of scholarly accomplishment. Applicants must have at least 5 years experience in senior general science leadership and management of a large entity inclusive of organisational strategy development, financial and procurement oversight in a public sector context and experience in managing other managers. A qualification in management sciences and a broad disciplinary involvement across environmental systems will strengthen a candidature.
Knowledge:
Highly skilled in decision-making, strategic thinking, interpersonal, stress and time management, operational management of distributed environmental research infrastructures, planning/organisation, transformation programmes, coaching and talent management, financial
management, communications and reputation management, risk management, performance management, conflict management, public speaking, and diversity management.
Interested candidates should forward their CVs to on or before the 16 March 2022
Candidates who have not received any feedback from us after 6 weeks of the closing date must consider your application unsuccessful.
