Job Vacancies at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has three Internship opportunities in ICT Services within the Solution Development department. The incumbents will be responsible for designing, developing and testing cutting-edge applications and analysing, modifying and/or updating existing applications by using their development skills and following the development practices prescribed by best practices and the ICT development methodologies, standards, procedures and guidelines. The incumbents will work closely with the senior development team to design, code, integrate and test software applications. This role offers an excellent opportunity for career growth and skill development in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Ability to program in at least three programming language such as. PHP SQL / Java / Python / C# / JavaScript / HTML / HTML5 / XML etc. 
• Excellent understanding of software design and programming principles.
• Develop and implement integrations between various systems and applications.
• Design, develop, and maintain APIs to enable seamless communication between different components of software applications.
• Collaborate with the senior development team to analyse user requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code.
• Conduct thorough unit and integration testing along with debugging of software applications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth integration and deployment of software solutions.
• Stay up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies and recommend best practices to improve development processes.
• Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and adherence to coding standards.
• Assist in troubleshooting and resolving software defects or performance issues.
• In-depth knowledge of programming for diverse operating systems and platforms using development tools
• Design creative prototypes according to specifications
• Write high quality source code to program complete applications within deadlines.
• Evaluate existing applications to reprogram, update and add new features.
• Develop technical documents and handbooks to accurately represent application design and code.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Diploma (NQF 6) in computer science/engineering, Software Engineering, information technology or equivalent qualification or higher
• Understanding of software security principles and best practices.
• Good working knowledge in Designing and building applications.
• Knowledge of RESTful API design and development.
• Familiarity with integration technologies and patterns (e.g., message queues, web services, APIs).
• Good understanding of database systems and SQL.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and contribute to group discussions.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and programming languages quickly.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 27 July 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has two vacancies for Procurement Practitioners in the Strategic Procurement portfolio. The incumbents will be responsible for purchasing goods and services for the CSIR within the allowed governance framework, business, and legislative requirements. The positions are based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Create purchase requisitions daily with accuracy, manage and timeously respond to all standard inquiries;
• Check requisitions for adherence to processes, accuracy and completeness;
• Manage all standard RFP and RFQ transactions above R30k (VAT inclusive);
• Consistently identify new technically compliant, transformed, and competitive suppliers of goods and services required to deliver on the CSIR’s procurement requirements;
• Continuously follow up on all quotations, ensure competitiveness and compliance of all quotes before forwarding to clients;
• Ensure that suppliers required to deliver goods and services are appropriately registered;
• Expedite orders to ensure timely delivery and excellent service to all clients;
• Create cost savings opportunities and ensure the CSIR’s improvement in preferential procurement on a year on year basis;
• Measure supplier performance and evaluations, update and keep all procurement records;
• Maintain relationships with suppliers to monitor adherence to service level agreements and manage transactional aspects of specific supplier contracts / agreements;
• Provide relevant procurement information, assess, and implement automated and streamlined actions to improve service delivery to the organisation;
• Manage procurement activities throughout the purchasing and supply chain including procurement activities resulting from CSIR client contracts and CSIR tender proposals;
• Conduct analysis on procurement spend and BBBEE per division/portfolio as and when required;
• Ensure alignment and compliance between client agreements / CSIR tender proposals and procurement activities;
• Keep up to date with market trends and new technologies in the procurement arena and react to changes in demand;
• Ensure that purchasing activities comply with relevant legislation, CSIR policies, procedures, and all applicable standards.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National Diploma in supply chain management or equivalent qualification with at least five years’ experience in a supply chain / procurement management environment;
• Attention to detail and the ability to meet demanding deadlines;
• Good understanding of designated sector procurement;
• Working experience in managing laboratory equipment, consumables, chemicals, and other laboratory supplies tenders.
• Good understanding of public sector procurement.
• Good understanding and experience of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO);
• Problem solving, negotiation and communication skills;
• E-procurement knowledge, sourcing and buying skills;
• Thorough understanding of the business processes;
• Teamwork, flexibility, and adaptability skills;
• Self-management and assertiveness skills;
• Financial knowledge and numerical skills;
• Customer service and quality orientation.

Closing date: 26 July 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Project/Contract Manager in the Information and Cyber Security Research Centre, within the Defence and Security cluster. In collaboration with Centre’s Management Team, the incumbent will be responsible to identify, secure, coordinate, and manage strategic contracts and projects initiatives that will ensure the growth and sustainability of the Centre and clients’ satisfaction. The position also involves overseeing the financial and technical administration of large projects in the Centre to ensure projects are executed and completed on brief, on budget and on time. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Initiate and develop project proposals working with research Groups in the Centre;
• Coordinate and manage secured sales and leads register of the Centre;
• Coordinate contract negotiations, routing and signing-off of contracts and/or agreements with diverse cohort of clients in the private and public sector;
• Manage existing and new contracts in the Centre including stakeholder/client engagements following CSIR contract management frameworks;
• Provide regular updates on status of contracts/projects to the Information and Cyber Security Centre management team and Cluster when required;
• Track project risks and resources productivity (timesheets) including monitoring of resource levelling across different projects;
• Oversee financial declarations and invoicing on contracts on monthly basis;
• Support Centre’s budget planning and financial management of projects based on signed contracts and/or Centre’s strategic projects;
• Collaborate with Research Group Leaders, Centre Manager, and Business Development and Commercialisation to identify opportunities for new clients and new areas of business;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Centre’s strategy including supporting marketing and business development initiatives;
• Provide mentoring and coaching to project coordinators and/or administrators, including managing their career development.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• An Honours degree in computer science/engineering, information technology or equivalent with at least five years’ experience in research, technology development, operations management, project management, contract management, and/or leadership of technical projects including people;
• During the above years of experience, record of:
• Project and technical management;
• People and performance management;
• Financial management;
• Business development and proposal writing;
• Contract management;
• Stakeholder management;
• Technology innovation and commercialisation.
• Sound experience in managing a team of multi-disciplinary professions;
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high-level conceptualisation;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Appropriate national, regional, and international Research Development and Innovation networks;
• Knowledge in cybersecurity inclusive of information security necessary.

South African Citizenship is necessary as a Security Clearance is required for this position.

Closing date: 02 August 2023