The Aerospace Industry Support Initiative Programme Manager at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

• The CSIR is recruiting for the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) Programme Manager to co-ordinate and manage activities that are required for the rollout of projects and programmes that are linked to the industry/sector wide interventions under the Department of Trade and industry Competition’s (dtic) and Aerospace Programme (IDAP). The position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and defence, linked to the AISI and the dtic.
• Align AISI activities with government strategic objectives, including dtic’s industrial policy, industry development strategies, and business plan.
• Manage the contracting of service providers to implement core activities identified in the AISI Business Plan.
• Lead the development and execution of the AISI Business Plan and strategic objectives, in collaboration with the dtic management and the Steering Committee (Steercom).
• Manage the daily strategic operations of the initiatives, encompassing business planning, performance monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
• Prepare and implement the initiative’s business plan, communication strategy, and other strategic documents as directed by the Steercom.
• Draft, table for approval, and periodically maintain the Steercom Terms of Reference.
• Prepare and manage budgets to support the unit’s work.
• Provide quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports on unit activities in alignment with the dtic Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).
• Organise, prepare, and support meetings and related work of the unit and Steercom.
• Liaise with relevant entities, programmes, and stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration, information sharing, and alignment of activities in support of the initiative’s objectives.
• Coordinate with government departments, industry associations, and organisations to ensure alignment of dtic’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing initiatives with national strategies.
• Organise symposia and workshops to advance the initiative’s objectives.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as required by the Steercom.
• Support related activities of the dtic where relevant.
• Ensure the initiative delivers on its short, medium, and long-term strategic objectives and targets as defined by dtic.
• Manage the initiatives in accordance with CSIR policies, standards, procedures, and corporate governance.
• Ensure alignment with CSIR Hosted National Programmes (HNP) quality processes and prepare the AISI Operations Manual.
• Facilitate access to relevant CSIR facilities and experts for the South African aerospace industry.
• Align AISI and Centurion Aerospace Village (CAV) activities to support the Integrated dtic Aerospace Programme (IDAP).
• Draft the IDAP Business Plan and KPIs to align with dtic strategic objectives.
• Convene and chair the IDAP Operational Committee (OPCO).
• Implement and manage national flagship projects as identified by industry bodies and dtic.
• Align IDAP operations with the strategic direction provided by dtic and industry stakeholders.
• Host and manage the Industry Body Secretariat, including drafting its operations manual and overseeing interim operations.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with key international and local partners on behalf of the CSIR.
• Act as Key Account Manager for CSIR Aerospace, as defined by the Strategic Relationships portfolio.
• Keep relevant CSIR units informed of strategic industry developments.
• Convene and chair the quarterly CSIR Aerospace Forum.
• Manage multi-unit aerospace projects within CSIR.
• Strategically position CSIR and its aerospace offerings with industry, academia, and government.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with at least ten years project management experience in a multi-disciplinary business environment. A postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage.
• Adequate experience and knowledge in Management, Engineering, Project management, Contract management and other related fields of expertise
• Experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams at a management level
• Adequate experience in Industry development, Supply and value chains Experience with Manufacturing and Engineering disciplines is essential
• Knowledge of relevant Government policies and instruments linked to socio-economic activities
• Self-disciplined
• Good interpersonal relationship and stakeholder liaison skills
• Good Financial management, budget and costing skills
• Leadership and people management skills
• Liaise with a diverse portfolio of people locally and internationally
• Capacity building
• Programme management skills
• Sound communication skills
• Strong knowledge and experience of Government funding systems and/or CSIR systems and processes
• Knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)

Closing date: 29 August 2025