Office of the Digital Advantage (ODA) Manager at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Job description

The CSIR has a vacancy for an ODA Manager in the Implementation Unit. The purpose of this role is to manage and represent the ODA in all ICT-related initiatives and actively manage the ICT portfolio on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities

• Implement the ODA business plan and strategic objectives in collaboration with the relevant DST Manager
• Align the ODA activities to Government strategic objectives and strategies, with specific emphasis on the DST’s ICT Research Development and Innovation Roadmap
• Coordinate interaction with other Government departments and ICT initiatives to ensure alignment between the DST ICT interventions with other relevant strategies
• Manage the ODA to be in line with the CSIR’s policies, standards and procedures towards adherence to corporate governance
• Manage the ODA to be aligned with the CSIR IU quality processes and prepare ODA operations manual
• Manage key strategic relationships with relevant international and local partners on behalf of the ODA
• Liaise with other relevant entities, programmes and stakeholders
• Develop partnership with key stakeholders linked to the ODA
• Facilitate South African ICT industry access to relevant and appropriate CSIR national facilities and experts
• Organise symposia and workshops as required to further the work of the ODA
• Contract appropriate service providers to implement main areas of activity identified in the ODA business plan
• Actively manage the national public ICT portfolio within the National System of Innovation
• Facilitate the day-to-day management and operation of the ODA
• Prepare associated budgets to support the work of the ODA
• Provide quarterly and annual reports of ODA activities
• Organise, prepare, and support meetings and other work of the ODA
• Carry out any other duties required by Planning and Monitoring Committee
• Ensure that the ODA functions effectively deliver against its short-, medium- and long-term strategic objectives and targets as defined by the DST
• Implement and manage the national flagship projects as identified in the ODA business plan
• Liaise with a diverse portfolio of people locally and internationally.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in Information Technology with at least five years’ experience within the ICT environment with a solid track record in management principal
• Adequate experience in and knowledge of management and other related fields of expertise
• Business-related experience
• Self-disciplined
• Good interpersonal relationship and stakeholder liaison skills
• Well-spoken and diplomatic
• Knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)
• Good financial management skills
• Leadership and people management skills
• Ability to interact and network at a high level and have good technical acumen
• Capacity building