Manager: CST Operations at Stellenbosch University

Department Description
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Centre for Complex Systems in Transition (CST)
Manager: CST Operations  
(Ref EBW13/193/0820)

Full-time permanent appointment.
Continuation of the position after 2021 is subject to availability of ongoing funding.

• The Centre for Complex Systems in Transition (CST) at Stellenbosch University (SU) brings together research on transdisciplinary, complexity, sustainability and social-ecological resilience to inform pressing national, continental and global sustainability and development challenges. CST hosts leading scientists and students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, and fosters collaborations with a variety of departments across SU, nationally and globally, providing a vibrant hub for solution-oriented, transdisciplinary sustainability science. CST staff are primarily funded by national and international research and development contract funding. The primary objective of the CST is to co-produce transformational knowledge on the dynamics of multi-scale social-ecological change in partnership with key stakeholders, and thereby provide strategic insights into the new modes of research and governance that can bring about a just transition to a more equitable and sustainable society, in southern Africa and globally. 
• The CST seeks an Operations Manager to support the Co-Directors of the Centre in all aspects of the operational management of the Centre. Key tasks include the following: supporting the development of research proposals, managing project contracting, supporting HR appointment processes, financial administration of projects, assisting with project reporting and communications, and building processes to support these functions. The Operations Manager will work in close collaboration with the CST co-directors, academic and support staff, as well as funders, auditors, and the University’s Contracting, HR, and finance divisions. The position reports to the CST co?directors, and works closely with the CST communications manager, the CST office manager and various research officers who report to the Operations Manager on financial, contractual and HR issues. We require an independent self?starter and problem solver, with strong communication skills and an ability to work well with people to support the development of the CST as a leading international research Centre.
• This is a permanent soft-funded position, support services position. Continuation of the position will be subject to availability of ongoing funding which the incumbent will be expected to assist in securing. The operational base will be at the CST offices on the STIAS campus in Stellenbosch, and it will be necessary to be present on a daily basis (once COVID-19 subsides). 

Duties

• Supporting the Co-Directors in all aspects of the operational management of the Centre, requiring the incumbent to liaise independently across faculties and SU support divisions as required;
• Serving as secretariat of Directors' meetings, as well as meetings of the CST Governance Board and Management Committee;
• Supervising support staff, including the CST Office Manager, the Co-Director's personal assistant/research officer and future similar appointees, in terms of financial reporting, contracting and HR issues;

• Human Resources management: 
  • Responsible for supporting all HR functions with regard to research staff at the CST, in consultation with the Co-Directors, CST Management Committee, and HR. Includes HR budgeting, planning, advertising, recruitment, contracting, monitoring leave, and disciplinary procedures. 
• Financial management: 
  • Responsible for overall financial management of the Centre; ensuring that correct overheads and levies are applied to all incoming funds; monitoring project cost centres; managing project claims and disbursement requests from funders; supporting auditing processes. The incumbent will work closely with the CST Office Manager, who manages day-to-day project claims and the CST office environment.
• Research project administration:
  • Researching proposal development: identifying relevant funding calls; supporting and coordinating the development of project proposals, including liaising with partners and funders; preparing project budgets, including relevant levies and overheads; checking compliance with SU and funder requirements; general support to PI's. 
  • Research project set-up: Responsible for managing the contracting process, budget finalisation and authorisation, setting up cost centres, approval and advertising of new positions (where relevant). This is done in close collaboration with the Funding agencies, SU's Division for Research Development, Finances, HR, CST Management, as well as the specific project manager. 
  • Research project administration and reporting: managing and monitoring project cost centres; submitting claims and disbursement requests to funders; financial reporting; supporting auditing processes; assisting in compiling progress reports, assisting with monitoring and evaluation processes. 
  • Reporting, evaluation and compliance: supporting general reporting and evaluating processes of the CST, including compilation of CST annual reports for submission to the Governing Board, information requested by the Faculty, University executives and other authorities; POPI legal requirements assurance; SU and funder due diligence compliance support. 
• Communication: 
  • Working closely with the CST Communications Manager to ensure that project outcomes and Centre activities and highlights are communicated. 

Job Requirements

• At least an Honours degree in a relevant support field, such as finances or human resources, or in the Sustainability field;
• At least five years experience in research project administration, financial and HR management;
• Specific experience with research contracting and reporting processes, development of research project proposals, and due diligence with regard to international grant funding requirements;
• Financial literacy, with a specific reference to organisational and project budgets, planning and reporting;
• Human resources management and administration experience, including experience with legal and policy issues;
• Knowledge of the South African University financial, human resource and research contracting systems and policies, including due diligence within South African HEI’s;
• Fluency in English (mastery of additional languages appreciated e.g. Afrikaans / isiXhosa);
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work in order to meet deadlines;
• Strong logical and analytical abilities, with attention to detail;
• Self-motivated, proactive and the ability to work independently as well as in a team;
• Desire to build a career in research support rather than an academic role. 

Recommendation 

• Knowledge of Stellenbosch University systems, specifically the research contracting, financial, HR and legal systems;
• Experience in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research environments;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build, grow and maintain networks.

 Closing Date:15-09-2020