Senior Manager - Africa Hub Leadership Centre (AHLC) at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

• Work closely with the Director of the AHLC and the Future Africa Director to provide operational direction and to lead communications and engagement of the AHLC;
• Strategic position of the Hub within the University of Pretoria and Rhodes University landscape; exploring and furthering any possible intellectual synergies across academic faculties and departments;
• Strategically position the Hub within the African and international scientific and policy communities as a centre of excellence in promoting research development, leadership, and coordination in Africa and beyond;

Strategic Management  

• Work with the AHLC Director to oversee the operationalisation of the work of the AHLC and its strategic direction based on work plans approved by the Steering Committee;
• Develop a long-term strategic plan for the Future Earth Africa Hub;
• Work towards the establishment of an African Sustainability Science Association;

Academic and Scientific Research

• Represent the Future Earth stakeholders on the continent in Future Earth structures, elevating the ideas and concerns of the African sustainability of science research community to the global level;
• Advance African sustainability science research, build science clusters and maintain the network of sustainability scientists and key stakeholders in Africa, with emphasis on early career researchers;

Financial Management

• Manage the funds/finances in accordance with the University of Pretoria principles, policies and practices;
• Identify and attract new funding opportunities;
• Early Career Researchers Management
• Lead in the identification, mobilising, accessing and where needed designing capacity building programmes to support early career researchers.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• PhD related to sustainability science or similar area;
• At least five years’ experience in:
• Regional African scientific leadership in sustainability science or a related area;
• Fundraising and effective writing of research funding proposals;
• Programme/project management in a science or related area;
• A valid driver’s licence.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Strong leadership skills, demonstrating good project and people management (with a consultative and inclusive style);
• Ability to build consensus and commitment to new initiatives;
• Excellent organisational skills, able to manage multiple demands;
• Sound computer literacy skills: able to work with word processors, Excel, PowerPoint, use the internet and email;
• Excellent communication skills in English (both verbal and written);
• Ability to think strategically and creatively;
• Ability to drive the implementation of strategic plans and goals;
• Excellent problem-solving skills;
• Ability to navigate complex institutional dynamics to achieve project goals;
• Ability to work independent and meet strict time lines;
• Excellent planning and organisational skills;
• Ability to analyse and interpret data;
• High developed research skills;
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.