Programme Manager - Agroprocessing Upscaling Enterprise and Acceleration at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Programme Manager: Agroprocessing Enterprise Upscaling and Acceleration in the Advanced Agri and Food Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for managing a portfolio of projects on Agroprocessing Enterprise Upscaling and Acceleration across the Agroprocessing Research Group within the Advanced Agri and Food Cluster. Coordinate operations of end-to-end cannabis research facility and the transition from research and innovation to market-ready products. This position is based in Pretoria. This position reports to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

Program Office Management

• To conceptualize, implement and operate infrastructure and systems for the management of program and related projects within the broad context of existing Advanced Agri and Food Cluster systems.

Program Management 

• To lead and manage the definition of project phases (life-cycle phases and related systems).
• To lead and co-ordinate the preparation of proposals for multi-year, multi-disciplinary contract product and process development programs and projects.
• To ensure, in conjunction with the program/lead systems engineer, that the programs deliver what was contracted and individual funder objectives are met.
• Ensures that the program is given the appropriate priority and attention by all the impact areas, research groups and external teams participating.
• Lead program planning and scheduling, monitors progress and takes corrective action.

Stakeholder Management

• To leverage the multidisciplinary strength of CSIR and its partners for increased stakeholders/user impact and benefit.
• Support the marketing of the program to stakeholders and customers.
• Manage funders and other stakeholders in terms of contracts, deliverables, and non-tangible expectations.
• Coordinate conflicting requirements of stakeholders and various funding streams to deliver a capability over the short and medium term.
• Coordinate the funders to align technical activities, and milestones across the program so that the overall program makes sense.
• Manage relationships with stakeholder and funding groups with potentially conflicting requirements, objectives and expectations.

Securing Financial Sustainability through operational excellence

• Responsible for program budgets, schedule, and performance (technical performance accountability shared with the Research Group Leader).
• Support the development of funding streams for the Program that may be too large for the budgets of a single customer/stakeholder.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in Agriculture/Biology/Chemistry/Applied Chemistry and related disciplines, with at least ten years¿ program management experience in a multi-disciplinary R&D environment, certifications as a Project Management Professional will be an added advantage.
• Strong project management, contract management and stakeholder management skills required.
• Proven leadership track record.
• Knowledge of Projects based on R&D approaches such as incremental, spiral, or evolutionary development.
• Risk management.
• Analytical Skills.
• Interpersonal Skills.
• Influencing and negotiating skills.
• Tenacious, energetic approach to matters.
• Learning and personal development orientation.
• Financial acumen
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

What¿s in it for you? 

The CSIR offers:

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement;
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.                                                                                

Closing date: 22 January 2026