Executive Manager: Integrated Geoscience Development at Council for Geoscience (CGS)

Overall Job Purpose : Accountable for the prudent management of the Integrated Geoscience Development Portfolio, scientifically/commercially and provide strategic leadership to the portfolio as well as ensuring implementation of the Council for Geoscience (CGS) strategic business plan and annual performance plan.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Participate and provide inputs at Executive Level in the drafting and formulation of the CGS strategic plans and policies.
• Develops and implement the divisional annual performance plan in line with the CGS strategy to ensure that the CGS focuses on objectives that enable delivery of its mandate, with particular reference to successful completion of key projects.
• Provides strategic leadership for the entire Integrated Geoscience Development Portfolio, which includes Water and Environment, Minerals and Energy as well as Engineering Geology and Geohazards, consistent with the CGS’s mandate.
• Advises the CEO on the strategic partnerships to be considered in strengthening delivery of the CGS’s mandate.
• Ensure timely reporting of quality divisional output.

Operational Management

• Ensures that the strategic objectives and operational/performance plans of the division are implemented in line with the CGS priorities with particular reference to:
•  Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on key aspects of the divisional performance
•  Complying with Geoscience Act, 1993 as amended and its Regulations
• Oversees the operations of the Integrated Geoscience Development and manages its resources while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure prudent management of organisational programmes (e.g. Geoscience Technical Programme), in terms of appropriate proposal, scoping, financials, human resources and overall reporting, at cross regional and/or multidisciplinary levels.
• Develop and implement systems/tools for the execution, monitoring and completion of projects.

Financial Management

• Ensure compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (PFMA) and exercise proper financial control within the limits of the budget guidelines and long-term financial viability of the CGS.
• Promotes and ensure adherence to budget guidelines and long-term financial viability of the CGS.
• Promotes and ensure compliance with the CGS supply chain management policy and processes.

Stakeholder Relations

• Develops and maintains a healthy network of stakeholders and participates in public engagement programmes of the CGS.

People Management

• Develops and leads transformation programme of the CGS aligned with the objectives of the Employment Equity Act.
• Implement professional and skills development for the entire divisional staff through structured processes, programmes and best practices in line with the CGS policies, strategies and geoscience professional development programmes.
• Ensures succession planning strategies and programmes are in place for the staff.
• Effectively leads and manages the Integrated Geoscience Development division by maintaining a motivated team to deliver on CGS strategy within the allocated budget.
• Promotes culture and practices that reflect the CGS values and encourages good performance.
• Determines human resources requirements taking into consideration operational needs, skills scarcity and retention capability.
• Manages staff and administers the performance management system for all direct reports.
• Participates in the recruitment and selection of individuals according to job requirements, EE targets and guidelines.
• Oversee the staff development and training.
• Empowers staff and encourages innovation/creativity.

Quality Assurance & Management

• Ensure ISO accreditation of the various services within the Integrated Geoscience Development Portfolio.
• Ensure implementation of the ISO standards and procedures across the Integrated Geoscience Development Portfolio.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Ability to lead, influence and motivate staff.
• Excellent communication and negotiations skills.
• Ability to engender diversity and strike a balanced environment that encourages growth and learning in the organisation.
• Ability to make decisions; recognise and rapidly manage risks.
• Ability to maintain trusted client relations for the client’s success.
• Ability to act in a fair, ethical, and in a socially responsible manner in line with the ethos of the Council for Geoscience.
• Possess good interpersonal relationship skills.
• Excellent analytical and logical skills.
• Ability to set, monitor and achieve SMART goals.
• Ability to think innovatively and strategically.
• Ability to focus and articulate a clear vision.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Post-graduate qualification in Geosciences or related field with a minimum of 10 years’ applied experience.
• Demonstrable success in maintaining operational efficiency.
• Develop realistic strategies and objectives.
• Working knowledge and in depth exposure in Geoscientific Services.
• Demonstrate understanding of the South African and International Geoscience industry and its bearing on the development imperatives of South Africa.
• Demonstrate intimate knowledge of the Government policies and how these have a bearing on the mandate of the CGS.
• Demonstrate understanding of the research imperatives in the field of Geoscience.
• Substantive understanding of relevant legislation/prescripts that impacts on the business of the CGS.
• Sound knowledge on the functioning and structures of Government of South Africa.
• Demonstrable ability to manage a diverse portfolio of programmes.
• Ability to oversee geoscience data and information management, protection and preservation strategies.
• Knowledge of ISO standards and Operational Health and Safety Act.
• Knowledge of PFMA.
• Good business and financial management acumen.