Project Manager: South African National Research Network (SANReN) at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Key responsibilities:

• Managing projects (e.g., continuously update project plans, project requirements using a team-based approach and the business case to ensure that the project outputs remain desirable, viable and achievable);
• Contribute to the conceptualisation of new projects;
• Organising project governance and team structures, defining roles, responsibilities and accountabilities;
• Deliver Successfully on projects - on brief, on budget, on time, every time;
• Manage team and stakeholders (facilitate and negotiate), including communication (e.g. regular internal and external team meetings and progress reporting);
• Manage finances, consolidation and administration;
• Support the SANReN team in formulating and writing proposals;
• Support the NICIS Management team and NICS’ operations to improve internal NICIS processes, tools and systems;
• Provide advice to project participants; serve as a liaison; performing research, analysing information, providing documentation, and preparing reports; Work across geographical boundaries with multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

A Bachelor’s degree in computer/electronic engineering, computer science or related fields with at least six years’ project management experience in the telecommunications industry, which must include the following:

• A proven track record of managing complex medium-scale, multi-partner. e-projects or telecommunications infrastructure projects;
• A deep understanding of formal project management implementation methodologies (e.g., waterfall, agile, etc.);
• Extensive knowledge of government policies and processes (e.g., tendering and procurement);
• A formal qualification or certification in Project Management (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP or a diploma) is mandatory;
• Experience in public sector tendering processes;
• Experience in working with project teams across organisational boundaries, under tight and dynamic deadlines;
• Experience in working with senior executives in the private, public and academic sectors;

The following would be advantageous:

• A Master’s  degree in electronic/computer engineering or computer science;
• Professional registration with relevant bodies, e.g. Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA);
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification;
• Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification;
• Project management experience within an academic or research network environment.