Chief Director: Research and Knowledge Management at Department Of Women, Youth And Persons With Disabilities

• QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 7) qualifications in Social Sciences, Policy, Research, Knowledge Management, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field.  A Post graduate degree (NQF 8), Policy, Research, Knowledge Management, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field shall be an added advantage. Certificate of successful completion of National School of the Government’s SMS Pre-Entry programme prior appointment.
• EXPERIENCE: A minimum of 5 years’ experience in research, policy development and analysis or knowledge management experience at a senior management level
• OTHER SKILLS:  Research and analytical skills, Report writing skills, Communication skills (written and verbal), Computer skills, Programme and Project Management Skills, Strategic Planning, Financial Management, Change Management; knowledge; Research coordination, Policy development, analysis and evidence synthesis, Stakeholder engagement and negotiation, Knowledge management systems.     
• PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:  Ethical behaviour; Honestly and Integrity; Emotional Intelligence; Passion and Achievement driven; Ability to work under pressure; Ability to maintain confidentiality of information; Respect for copyrights/ aversion to plagiarism.

DUTIES

• Provide strategic leadership and manage the development and implementation of policy, research and knowledge management strategies, plans and product.Lead the strategic positioning of policy, research and knowledge management in support of the Department’s mandate on women, youth and persons with disabilities.Develop and manage the Chief Directorate’s strategic and operational plans, annual targets, performance indicators and reporting obligations.Ensure alignment of the Chief Directorate’s work with the Constitution, MTDP, NDP, GRPBMEAF, NSP on GBVF, departmental APP and relevant departmental and sector priorities.
• Provide evidence-informed strategic advice to the Minister, Director-General, Deputy Director-General and departmental governance structures.Ensure that outputs of the Chief Directorate strengthen mainstreaming, institutionalisation and accountability for women, youth and persons with disabilities priorities across government. Lead the development of a research agenda and manage research undertakings on the transformation and rights of women, youth and persons with disabilities.Lead the development and periodic review of a national and departmental research agenda on women, youth and persons with disabilities, manage the design, commissioning, implementation and quality assurance of research studies, evaluations, evidence reviews and analytical reports.Ensure that research methodologies are rights-based, ethical, credible, scientifically sound and appropriate for public policy use, promote the use of disaggregated data, including sex, age, disability, geography and other relevant variables where available, manage local, regional and international benchmarking on empowerment, inclusion, equality and transformation. Ensure that research findings are translated into practical recommendations for policy, planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.
•  Lead policy analysis, evidence synthesis and the development of policy knowledge products to support departmental and intergovernmental decision-making.Lead policy analysis on matters affecting women, youth and persons with disabilities, manage the development of policy briefs, discussion documents, analytical notes, status reports, Cabinet inputs, parliamentary inputs and technical advisory products.Ensure that departmental policy positions are evidence-based, constitutionally grounded and aligned with applicable national, regional and international obligations, analyse the implications of government policies, plans, budgets and programmes for women, youth and persons with disabilities. Provide technical input into policy formulation, policy review, impact assessment and implementation monitoring processes, ensure that evidence from research, monitoring and evaluation is used to inform policy advice and executive decision-making.
•  Manage knowledge management systems, repositories, evidence-use products and dissemination mechanisms.Lead the development and implementation of a knowledge management strategy for the Department, manage systems for collecting, organising, storing, protecting and disseminating institutional knowledge, research outputs and evidence products., establish and maintain knowledge repositories, databases, dashboards, learning platforms and evidence-use mechanisms.Ensure that departmental knowledge products are accessible, credible, current and useful for decision-making, promote a culture of knowledge-sharing, learning and evidence use across the Department and relevant stakeholders, manage the translation of research and policy analysis into user-friendly products such as briefs, summaries, presentations, learning notes and executive reports. Coordinate strategic partnerships with government departments, Chapter 9 institutions, academia, research institutions, civil society and international partners.Build and manage strategic partnerships to strengthen policy, research, evidence generation and knowledge management, coordinate engagements with national departments, provinces, municipalities, public entities, Chapter 9 institutions, academia, research councils, civil society and development partners.
• Represent the Department in technical committees, research forums, policy platforms, intergovernmental structures and knowledge-sharing forums, facilitate collaboration on studies, policy analysis, data sharing, capacity-building and evidence-use initiatives.Ensure that partnerships advance the Department’s mandate and protect the credibility, independence and integrity of departmental evidence products. Manage stakeholder inputs into research, policy and knowledge products, ensuring that contributions are properly considered and documented. Manage human, financial and other resources in line with the PFMA, Treasury Regulations, Public Service Act, Public Service Regulations and departmental delegations.Manage the Chief Directorate’s human resources, budget, assets, procurement inputs, operational risks and performance obligations.