General Manager: Applied Chemistry at NECSA

Key Performance Areas Strategic management

• Planning, organising, leading, motivating, controlling and communicate to ensure alignment with strategic objectives within the AC department.
• Draft departmental budget and monitor execution of approved budgets.
• Investigate and incorporate cost saving measures where possible.
• Ensure the financial sustainability of their unit by investigating new funding, research and business development opportunities.
• Manage project portfolio to ensure that they are delivered in time and on budget.
• Oversee and be accountable for negotiating non-DMRE funded projects of more than MR 40 and growing this portfolio.
• Oversee and be accountable for HR management of permanent and temporary AC workers. This includes professional development succession planning, pipeline development and implementation of the performance management.

Technical management

• Provide scientific, technological and engineering strategy, oversight and guidance to the AC teams.
• Manage a growing number of non-DEE fund programmes and projects based on technology platforms of Fluorine technology; Nuclear Fuel Cycle (NFC) activities including nuclear waste management; Plasma technology and Nuclear Materials.
• Lead the establishment and negotiation of these programmes/projects.
• Manage and oversee Technical and Scientific technologies of the technology platforms of NFC chemistry, Fluorine technology Plasma Technology and Nuclear Materials which support the Impact Areas of Materials Beneficiation, Clean Energy and Waste. This includes IP protection and commercialisation.
• Establish a technology platform to support Necsa’s envisaged growth in NFC activities.
• Act as the technology custodian of chemical processes/products developed at Necsa and utilise this integrated knowledge to form new project teams and commercially exploited historic IP
• Initiate different Stage 1 D&D projects for R&I, executed by Applied Chemistry personnel.

Process management

• Within the R&I structure to facilitate its continuous operations.
• Act as NFM for all AC facilities to facilitate continuity of operations.
• Provide guidance on IP management/policy.
• Initiate and exploit different vehicles for pipeline development for R&I.
• People Management.
• Ensure staff is adequately trained to conduct their duties.
• Develop a succession plan to build succession for critical roles within the department.
• Develop a transformation plan according to the Group’s talent objectives.
• Oversee directly or indirectly the day-to-day human resource activities of Applied Chemistry.

Strategic Management

• Conduct the strategic planning of Applied Chemistry in line with NECSA directives.
• Ensure annual plans, that are in line with division and corporate plans are compiled timeously.
• Manage the execution of these plans and ensure delivery.
• Manage key stakeholders of Applied Chemistry for Necsa.
• Oversee the management of technology progressing through the technology readiness levels.
• Act as and assist the Group Executives in terms of executing their duties. 

Financial Management

• Financial budget for Applied Chemistry in line with divisional and corporate directives
• Ensure absolute financial control in managing all aspects of the approved budgets and projects
• Identify and investigate new external funding opportunities for existing projects.
• Investigate and recommend new projects that could attract external funding.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

• PhD Chemistry/Chemical Engineering or equivalent NQF level 10
• Project management, leadership or managerial certificate

Experience: (years/type)

• 15 years as a scientific researcher,
• 10 years leading chemical (or related) research programmes/projects,
• 5 years proven managerial experience in a technical/scientific environment