Trade Compliance Specialist at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Trade Compliance Specialist in the Legal Compliance and Business Enablement Portfolio. The incumbent will lead the implementation, review and management of Trade Compliance Requirements within the CSIR and ensuring general compliance in trade practices.
• The incumbent will provide expert insights on requirements and obligations of trading in the public enterprise space, including advice on registrations, certifications, exporting and importing goods and services related to defence and scientic services.
• The incumbent will support and manage all third party risk management and due diligence reviews for trade compliance activities and provide advice to business on related risk mitigation measures. This Position is based in Pretoria.
• This Position reports to Manager: Compliance 

Key responsibilities:

• Documenting and maintaining the Trade Compliance regulatory universe of the organisation. Keeping abreast of regulatory developments which impact the CSIR.
• Continuously monitor local and international trends and best practice initiatives to support the trade practices within the CSIR.
• Developing and maintaining Trade Compliance policies, frameworks, and standard operation procedures for the CSIR.
• Maintain and implement the Third-Party Risk Management and Due Diligence Framework for trade compliance activities and support the design and application of the end-to-end Third-Party Risk Management processes that is efficient and scalable.
• Continuously support the Supply Chain Management Portfolio / Imports-Exports in ensuring that requirements and business processes associated with cross-border movements function smoothly, while also ensuring that risks are identified in a timely manner and managed efficiently.
• Build professional relationships with regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders to ensure that CSIR initiatives, applications and registrations are appropriately understood, maintained, and addressed.
• Provide support and advice to Divisional Executives and Cluster Executive Managers (and their teams) on trade compliance considerations in contracting for and execution of contracts.
• Coordinate, collate and make timely submissions to Trade Compliance authorities/government agencies of information required to support applications for registration of the CSIR or CSIR laboratories and facilities for contracting permits, end- user certificates, and various imports and export permits. 
• Ensure that the applications are tracked and appropriate follow-up is made to completion.
• Provide Legal and Compliance (L&C) management and internal CSIR clients with timeous feedback and progress on applications and registrations.
• Compile and develop Trade Compliance training and awareness plan. 
• Conduct training and awareness sessions and develop training material on Trade Compliance requirements applicable to the CSIR to all affected parties and stakeholders
• Compile a monitoring plan on all Trade Compliance activities, to timeously identify, assess, and report on any Trade Compliance risks identified. 
• Assist the L&C management to develop controls to mitigate relevant compliance risks identified in the business.
• Coordinate and support the business in all regulatory audits or inspections that take place within Trade Compliance matters. 
• Assist the business in closing gaps or non-compliance issues identified during regulatory audits.
• Harness and use technological tools to efficiently fulfil Trade Compliance functions.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

•  A Bachelor Degree or equivalent in Law or Commerce or Risk Management or Logistics or Customs and Excise and/or Import/Exports with at least six years' experience as a Trade Compliance Specialist or Trade Compliance Officer.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Compliance or International Trade or Law or Risk Management or Imports-Exports or Customs Excise or International Trade will be advantageous.
• Certified Compliance Professional  or Certified Risk Professional, Certifications in Logistics or Customs Excise, and/or Import /Exports will be advantageous.
• Proven knowledge and experience in Trade Compliance requirements associated with scientific research and defence projects. 
• Strong knowledge of Trade Compliance multilateral treaties and United Nations (UN) resolutions, local laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Experience in managing regulatory inspections and audits, including the ability to develop and maintain relationships with the applicable authorities. 
• Building strategic partnerships 
• Customer Service Orientation
• Driving Performance
• Programme and project management
• Conflict Management
• Excellence / quality orientation
• Strategic thinking and decision making
• Thought leadership
• Collaboration
• Verbal and Written Communication

Closing Date

• 17/03/2026