Senior Technical Officer X2 at Council for Geoscience (CGS)

Overall, Job Purpose     :

• To supervise logistical and technical programmes as well as research to support the generation and curation of geoscientific data, information and knowledge (e.g. data collection, data sorting, data analyses and interpretation as well as data storage) and provide technical leadership, supervision and coordinate the Business Unit technical work outputs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Logistical Operations

• Supervise and allocate work to assistant and technical officers.
• Monitor productivity and technical output across geoscience projects.
• Oversee field data generation (e.g., sample collection, sorting, packaging, and storage).
• Coordinate assignment of staff to technical geoscience programmes.
• Ensure QA/QC in geoscientific data collection and processing.
• Prepare and submit quarterly technical support reports.
• Resolve logistical issues following SOPs and accepted practices.
• Support research activities and publications through data contribution and editing.

Research and Development

• Collate research data according to set requirements across more than one project and conduct error checking.
• Provides technical services for research projects in various business units.
• Perform technical analyses.
• Preparation of data.
• Practice routine guided interpretations.
• Provide logistical contributions on research projects.
• Produce advanced technical reports.

Project Implementation/ Project Management

• Lead and manage project implementation, timelines, and deliverables.
• Supervise and review technical aspects to projects or programmes.
• Escalate key decisions, unresolved issues, and risks within the area of scope.
• Effectively contribute to overall strategic leadership on technical matters within own Business Unit.
• Lead technical support services within own Business Unit.
• Coordinate the Business Unit technical implementation of the Geoscience Technical Programme (GTP) and commercial work.
• Present and exchange technical knowledge and information.
• Compile and submit relevant reports in line with the CGS reporting protocols.
• Design ISO Compliant processes related to technical work.
• Oversee, develop, and implement methodologies, policies, systems, and procedures related to technical work.
• Advice on technical scientific data and information processing.
• Perform final review and approvals or audits on technical projects.
• Establish procedural and Regulatory frameworks applicable to the distribution on geoscience information.
• Design technical standards, specifications, and service levels according to organisational objectives.
• Monitor and evaluate technical efficiencies.
• Compile reports related to technical work completed.
• Manage logistical support and setting up field support/base camps during field work.

Stakeholder Relations and Reporting

• Provide advice to management, and/or public and private sector organisation’s related field of expertise.
• Liaise with relevant bodies/councils on technical science-related matters.
• Engage, establish, and build relationships with various internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee technical/scientific data and information release and/or management to internal and external stakeholders.

Quality Assurance

• Design quality management principles, processes and procedures for ISO Certification or Accreditation.
• Oversee all technical work is undertaken within organisational standards and processes.
• Oversee that required documentation is complete, current, and stored appropriately.
• Prepare high-quality products (e.g., documentation and reports) by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends within the area of responsibility.

Learning and Development

• Allocate responsibilities to individual staff members within own area of responsibility.
• Supervise technical work output.
• Oversee the mentoring and coaching of technical staff to promote skills/knowledge transfer.
• Participate in Continuous Professional Development initiatives/interventions to keep up with new technologies and procedures.
• Complete and submit own Personal Development Plans.
• Initiates training workshops /courses for junior technical staff to strengthen skills transfer in line with the business unit development plan.
• Evaluate the results, edit reports for publication by junior technical staff, and prepare own work for publication by the CGS.
• Assist in identifying training needs and recommendations to the relevant manager.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Professional conduct.
• Ability to think strategically and integrate this with the shared vision of the organisation.
• Ability to work towards deadlines.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good communication skills.
• Good report-writing skills.
• Be a good team player and willingness to share experience, knowledge, and workload.
• Customer-centric.
• Pay attention to details.
• Adaptability and leaning orientated.
• Knowledge of the ISO certification process and standards.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Geology, Environmental Science, Hydrogeology, or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 5 years’ working experience in technical and logistical duties; OR
• B Tech or BSc Degree (NQF Level 7) in Geology, Environmental Science, Hydrogeology, or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 3 years working experience in technical and logistical duties.
• C1 (code 10) Valid driver's license will be an added advantage.
• Professional Registration with SACNASP (Pr.Sci.Nat.) will be an added advantage.

Deadline:28th January,2026