Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute

Minimum Qualification

• Post-graduate qualification in a relevant scientific and/or engineering field at a minimum of NQF level 9, complemented by a strategic leadership qualification (and MBA will be an added advantage).

Minimum years relevant experience

• At least 15 years senior management and leadership experience, of which 10 years must have been at an executive management level.
• Sufficient exposure to the nuclear energy and/or radioactive waste management industry. Strong leadership track record, public sector experience will be an advantage.

Minimum Requirements

• Overall leadership and direction
• Institutional performance and strategic positioning
• Financial sustainability and growth
• People management
• Technical operations management

Job Description

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be responsible to strategically manage and coordinate the activities of the Institute and be responsible for its day-to-day business. The role has the authority to carry out these responsibilities in accordance with the direction and policies established by the Board, while ensuring that the Institute performs its functions effectively and in line with the provisions of the NRWDI Act. The CEO will be accountable to the Board and reports to the Chairperson of the Board and, should have a technical or scientific understanding of the nuclear energy/radioactive waste management field, and credibility with its diverse range of stakeholders.

Key Areas of Responsibility
The ideal candidate will perform the following job activities:
The incumbent should hold critical industry relationships and have credibility with its diverse range of stakeholders. More importantly, the incumbent will be a proven leader with a demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams towards the achievement of critical outcomes.

• Fulfilling the functions of the CEO as articulated in Section 17 of the NRWDI Act.
• Providing overall strategic leadership and direction.
• Ensuring proper management, operational efficiency, and corporate reporting requirements.
• Ensuring appropriate focus to meet strategic organizational and customer needs.
• Ensuring financial sustainability and growth of the entity.
• Taking an active role in driving an appropriate organizational culture, and in maintaining effective management teams and management processes that enable NRWDI to function optimally.
• Overseeing NRWDI’s ongoing radioactive waste management and disposal operations, and leading the coordination and implementation of National radioactive waste disposal programs.
• Directing NRWDI’s business in conformance to applicable legislation in the pursuance of its mandate, and in support of broader socio-political imperatives, with specific reference to the Country’s Developmental State objectives, including compliance with Government policies, regulatory guidelines, and directives.
• Ensuring monitoring and evaluation of NRWDI’s performance, and taking corrective action to maintain sustained performance.
• Promoting good governance, risk management and a high standard of ethics.
• Promoting the public’s understanding of radioactive waste management.
• Building and maintaining sound stakeholder relations with high-level government officials, Parliament, radioactive waste generators, industry, and key local, national and international stakeholders, including heads of relevant research & development and higher education institutions.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes
Skills:

• Strategic management skills.
• Advanced people management skills.
• Good working knowledge of nuclear waste disposal technical operations.
• Strong corporate governance skills.
• Financial & risk management skills.

Competencies:

• Strategic and analytical thinking.
• Leadership skills.
• Excellence orientated.
• High performance skills.

Attributes:

• Should be highly motivated, energetic, and be a self-starter who has ability to be proactive.
• Should have strong intellect and strategic skills with highly developed influencing skills.
• Should have a proven track record of leadership, management and change management gained at a senior level with the proven ability to manage teams of highly technical staff.
• Should have a broad understanding of the energy and nuclear industry, and have appropriate national and international recognition among peers in the industry sector.