Programme Manager at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Programme Manager: Critical Minerals Programme in the Mining Cluster. The mining Cluster is seeking a Programme Manager to join their leadership team, the successful candidate will provide executive, strategic, and operational leadership for the 3-year Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Critical Minerals Programme (CAMP).
• Reporting to the CSIR Mining Cluster Executive Manager and Steering Committee, the incumbent heads the Programme Management Office, supervising the Business Development Practitioner and Administrator, while leading a multi-disciplinary team across critical mineral value chains. Key objectives include technology advancement, ecosystem building, digital and sustainable innovation, and programme governance.
• This position is based in Pretoria and reports to Executive Cluster Manager - CSIR Future Production: Mining

Key responsibilities:

Strategic programme leadership and PMO management:

• Implement and adapt the 3-Year Business Plan and develop a medium- to long-term strategy for the sustainability of the Critical Minerals Programme (CAMP);
• Structure and operate the Programme Management Office (PMO) systems, establishing Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMP) and project execution frameworks;
• Direct and supervise the daily activities of the BD Practitioner and Programme Administrator;
• Ensure alignment of programme deliverables with national strategies (e.g. Critical Minerals Strategy, DSTI Decadal Plan, National Development Plan.);
• Oversee the Operational and Technical working teams (Researchers and SMMEs) and the Judging Panel.
• Attract multiple funding streams across public and private sector partners with the Business Development Practitioner.

Multi-tier governance:

• Serve as the primary operational secretariat to the Programme Steering Committee and the Technical Advisory Board;
• Prepare and present technical progress reports and meeting packs for the Steering Committees, Technical Advisory Board and for the Client;

     Proposal development and contracting:

• Oversee the development of proposal documentation for collaborative RDI projects and grant applications;
• Develop and present proposals to potential collaborators and funders;
• Oversee the contracting of projects from inception, through routing and sign-off.

Financial management:

• Strategically manage the overall programme 3-Year Budget in strict compliance with the PFMA;
• Oversee line-item expenditures, financial auditing, budget reallocations, income declarations, and milestone-based SMME grant drawdowns with CSIR/TIA finance teams;
• Align multiple funding streams across public and private sector partners.

Technical execution and impact delivery:

• Oversee the parallel execution of Phase 1 Strategic Assessments (7 Critical Minerals), Phase 2 SMME Acceleration, and Phase 3 Digital Platform development;
• Ensure technical quality assurance on all situation sketches, gap analysis reports, and field pilot trial protocols;
• Drive the achievement of host mine trial targets (energy, safety, decarbonisation, ESG).

Stakeholder engagement, networking and lobbying:

• Build and maintain a strong stakeholder network across government, science councils, universities, and industry;
• Actively participate in stakeholder forums and conferences related to Critical Minerals and mining technologies;
• Secure mine access agreements with mining houses for real-world technology testing;
• Strategically identify and enable coordination of marketing, research and awareness activities;
• Stimulate and manage project pipeline development, create opportunities to profile the programme in national and international events
• Provide know-how regarding other investments existing in the related technical areas and write motivation reports for investment decisions.

Commercialisation, IP & co-funding crowding-in:

• Enforce strict compliance with the IPR-PFRD Act 51 of 2008, supervising the execution of licensing and benefit-sharing deals;
• Position CAMP as a long-term national platform, actively pitching to crowd-in follow-on capital from DFIs (IDC, DBSA, NEF), international donors (World Bank, IFC, EU), and mining houses;
• Promote transformation by ensuring equitable grant access for black-, women-, and youth-owned technology SMMEs.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• Master's Degree (NQF 9) (or studying towards) in Engineering (Mining, Metallurgy, Chemical, Mechanical) or Physical/Chemical Sciences.
• Registered (or eligible for registration) as a Professional Engineer (ECSA) or Professional Natural Scientist (SACNASP) will be advantageous. 
• At least 10 years' progressive experience in managing large-scale, multi-disciplinary technical, or R&D programmes within a national system of innovation, mining, or state-owned environment. 
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership capacity managing professional project managers, technical leads, and multi-disciplinary teams. 
• Demonstrated track record in managing public-sector funding portfolios exceeding R30 million under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). 
• Proven track record of successfully establishing, running, or scaling national or international technology programmes. 
• Substantive experience reporting to executive boards, steering committees, or ministerial stakeholders.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of mining sector trends, critical minerals (PGMs, Manganese, Chrome, Copper, etc.), and mining technologies and innovations. 
• Mastery of project management systems, Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) frameworks, financial auditing, income forecasting, and PFMA compliance.
• Board Governance & Lobbying: Exceptional capability to operate governance structures, manage conflicting funder requirements, and lobby government/industry for strategic alignment.
• Strong understanding of technology readiness (TRL), commercial due diligence, valuation, and the IPR-PFRD Act 51 of 2008.
• Demonstrates an established entrepreneurial mindset, strategic vision, and decisive leadership with the resilience, high emotional intelligence, and executive diplomacy needed to navigate complex public-private ecosystems while maintaining uncompromised ethical integrity and PFMA compliance.
• Excellent technical writing and presentation skills, with attention to detail. 

What's in it for you? 

The CSIR offers:

• 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: 23 September 2026