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

About The Job

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Project Manager in the South African National Research Network (SANReN) group within the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System (NICIS) that forms part of the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions (NGEI) cluster. The incumbent will be expected to work at tactical and operational levels of management in order to deliver on SANReN’s mandate and strategy and apply project management expertise together with appropriate technical/domain/sector/industry specific technical acumen to achieve project goals by managing the total project management life cycle within project constraints according to applicable project management framework(s). This position is based in Pretoria.

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’sdegree 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.
• Skills and knowledge in the following areas:
  • Strategic leadership in telecommunication organisations;
  • Knowledge of broadband network technologies and infrastructure solutions;
  • Exposure to research, development and innovation environments;
  • Ability to work in a rapidly changing environment with many uncertainties, being able to learn and adjust accordingly;
  • Sound financial management and business development skills;
  • Excellent written and spoken English communication skills;
  • Knowledge of computers as well as database, spreadsheet and word processing software;
  • Excellent problem solving, planning and organisational skills;
  • Ability to take responsibility and operate as a self-starter;
  • Ability to work with diverse environments and cultures;
  • Great presentation skills are a requirement for this position.
  • Remain abreast of developments in the ICT industry

Closing date: 10 December 2020