Lead Scientist: Marine at The South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Key performance areas:
The candidate will be required to:

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership to the Marine Research Unit.
• Actively initiate and lead or participate in programmes, projects or activities related to commercial services and public good including those of national and/or international scale.
• Have a strong understanding of coastal modelling dynamics such as utilizing and operating coastal modelling software tools (ROMS, Delft-3D).
• Develop and/or compile new operational products and establish new methodologies and processes that will improve the service delivery to clients.
• Provide guidance to build focus on national (and regional) marine services.
• Nurture external collaboration with national and international institutions relevant to the marine related data and information in line with strategic directions of SAWS.
• Represent SAWS where appropriate and serve on national or international scientific panels/committees or specialist groups in an expert capacity.
• Participate in support of relevant operational meteorological systems.
• Carry out all administrative functions attached to the post including the supervision of subordinates and the scientific mentoring of colleagues.
• Assist in managing all island / marine activities in a cost effective manner while conforming to prescribed standards.
• Assisting in annual financial planning activities including budgeting and expenditure control
• Supervise the adequate stock levels required for the marine and islands.
• Perform routine office administration practices including lodging claims, leave processing, transport administration, periodic reporting and administration of registers.
• Perform functions/duties as delegated by Chief Scientist and/or Senior Manager.
• Execute collaboration with all marine related stakeholders.
• Represent the South African Weather Service at meetings as requested by clients, Chief Scientist, Senior Manager or the Executive.
• Ensure efficient managing of TQM standards.
• Provide/coordinate training as instructed/requested.
• Sharing knowledge and skills with appropriate stakeholders and promoting the strategy of SAWS being a learning organization.
• Ascertaining training and development requirements for marine employees.
• Develop new techniques and establishment new methodologies and processes in field to improve on the efficiency in marine.
• Conduct marine and coastal metocean research.
• Add value to the organization through self-driven initiatives contributing to SAWS Strategic Objectives.
• Continue self-development and stay current/relevant with new developments in the field of Oceanography and marine Meteorology.
• Coordinate all activities and functions within the marine community such DEAT, SAMSA, Islands teams, buoys etc.
• Oversee and manage all marine-related assets.
• Ensure that all project deliverables as outlined in the performance agreement are timely met.
• Conduct performance contracting and assessments with Senior Scientist and Junior Scientists.
• Have an understanding and application of SAWS policies, PFMA, and any other applicable regulatory frameworks.

Minimum Requirements:

• The ideal candidate should have at least a PhD in Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences.
• Minimum 5- 10 years’ experience in building and running numerical models such as Delft 3D, SWAN, Wave Watch III, ROMS, NEMO.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Ability to work in a team.
• Candidate should have adequate experience working on successful projects and writing quality research proposals for funding.
• Substantial applied experience with scientific computing using languages such as MATLAB and Python.
• Experience in a Linux computing and scripting environment.
• Experience in the Linux operating environment and scripting within this system
• Proven project management skills in a team leader capacity.
• Evidence of relevant peer reviewed publications, lead/co-author in at least 3 scientific papers.

Competency Requirements

• Innovation leading to implementation
• Analytical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Strategic planning
• Emotional intelligence
• Leadership
• Mentorship