Urban and Regional / Development Planner with GIS at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a researcher in the Smart Places Cluster, Urban and Regional Dynamics Research Group.  A primary focus within the research group is on providing planning support and developing planning support systems for various role players in the urban and regional planning domain in South Africa, most importantly the various spheres of government. This planning support is provided in the form of spatial and temporal evidence, produced through advanced spatial analysis and modelling, and the application of the evidence in an interdisciplinary planning environment.

This specific position focuses on regional development planning, the coordination and integration of large-scale planning projects like provincial planning frameworks and master plans, leading and coordinating development planning in local government with a focus on capability development. The position is based in Pretoria, and the appointee may be expected to travel from time to time.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to research activities in the group, which include: breaking down problem statements and proposing research designs; gathering evidence and information through literature reviews, stakeholder engagements, surveys, etc.; conceptualising planning support systems/tools (non-technical); developing and testing content;
• Supporting large-scale integrative projects;
• Technical contribution and insight on integrated and spatial development planning processes, instruments, systems and capability within local and intergovernmental context;
• Project administration and organisation;
• Liaise with clients, engage with stakeholders, and consult role-players;
• Compilation of technical proposals and reports;
• Contribute to the knowledge field through popular and academic publications and conference papers.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A degree in Urban/Town and Regional Planning or Urban Geography or Development Planning with at least four years working experience;
• Competency in GIS as either a subject at university or doing accredited courses with e.g. ESRI;
• Experience working on integrated, spatial and land development planning processes, instruments and initiatives;
• Experience in working on teams providing technical inputs into strategic plans and/or frameworks, e.g. SDFs, IDPs, Infrastructure Master Plans, etc;
• Good understanding of spatial planning;
• Some experience working with or for local government;
• A good understanding of local government structures, networks, and policies;
• Experience and interest in mining regions in transition and settlement growth challenges;
• Experience in macro-economic analysis and the spatial planning implications; an added advantage will be the exposure to the just transition processes needed in the coal and power industry within a macro-economic context;
• Understanding of GIS and associated data sources and data structures;
• Interest in the climate change impact/implications on the developmental context of places (cities, towns and rural settlements);
• Good writing skills;
• Good communication and presentation skills;
• Good at networking and consolidating group efforts in a project;
• Good interpersonal and organisational skills;
• Good project administration and organisational skills;
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently;
• Ability to take initiative in conceptualising and scoping research projects;
• Self-motivated to work independently, as well as in a team;
• Problem-solving, solution-seeking orientation;
• Strong research intent.

Closing date: 15 November 2023