Jobs at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Divisional Operations Manager in the Natural Resources, Enabling Infrastructure, Public and Professional Services division. The incumbent will be responsible for managing and guiding the implementation of the Divisional Strategy and Operational plans. This will be achieved by ensuring operational efficiency; creating an environment conducive for business delivery, analysing trends that affect the business; monitoring and evaluation of delivery against operational plans. Furthermore, the incumbent will be expected to report on progress against plans and suggest changes/interventions to enable achievement of performance measures. Monitoring of service level agreements with CSIR support functions. Support the Divisional Group Executives in the formulation of business objectives and business plans that cascades from Division into Clusters, Impact Areas and Centres. The role will also be accountable for Divisional planning, which prioritises business imperatives, customer, employee and organisational requirements. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate divisional operations strategy development (including formulation of business objectives and business plans) that cascades from Division into Clusters, Impact Areas and Centres;
• Translate divisional strategies to effective and efficient operational plans in cooperation with the divisional management team;
• Ensures alignment and congruence of Cluster strategic objectives with CSIR and divisional objectives.
• Drive divisional level processes such as parliamentary grant investment, planning, monitoring and reporting.
• Accountable for execution of divisional operations, performance enhancement of processes as well as ongoing monitoring of strategy implementation and reporting thereof;
• Collect, consolidate and prepare operational plans, quarterly reports and business plans from Clusters;
• Responsible for the division planning function, which prioritises achievement of critical business objectives, customer, employee and organisational requirements over non-critical requirements;
• Establish and maintain a systems view of the business identifying its various value chains, systems, processes, constraints and the business support ecosystem within CSIR;
• Lead the development of a divisional management information system capturing appropriate critical performance metrics (including sales, finances, EHS, etc.) for various levels of management including Impact Area Managers, Executive Managers and the Divisional Group Executive;
• Support the budgeting process in collaboration with divisional finance & executive clusters Managers;
• Support the performance contracting of clusters and impact area as well for own team;
• Consolidate and prepare information for quarterly and year-end reports and presentations of progress against targets and submit timeously to Divisional Group Executive;
• Ensure implementation of and adherence to SHEQ practices and policies throughout the Division;
• Effective management of operations staff as well as drive strategic HCD for capacity development.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Master’s degree in relevant science or engineering with at least eight years’ of experience in Research Development and Innovation, that includes working experience on complex engineered systems, either in technology development, systems integration or testing and evaluation.
• A operations management domain qualification would be an advantage;
• The incumbent must have experience with large complex projects that are technology-based, exposure to complexities of managing large contract R&D projects including multi-year projects and experience in working in a matrix type environment, with a solid track record in the following:
  • Extensive technical experience within a science or engineering based environment;
  • Extensive knowledge of the business of the Division, including working knowledge in the intensive engineering environment that is characterised in at least one of the clusters within this division (Natural Resources, Enabling Infrastructure, Public and Professional Services);
  • Technology development and exposure to Business Development and Commercialisation;
  • Strategic & operational planning and implementation;
  • Advanced understanding of business planning and regulatory issues;
  • Thorough understating of the full life cycle of contract management and implementation of management practices;
  • A solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics, for informed decision-making.

go to method of application »

Researcher: Civil Engineer

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Researcher in the Water Centre Area, within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for leading and conducting research projects in the field of civil engineering in water &wastewater infrastructure. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualise, guide and manage R&D projects within the water value-chain infrastructure. Provide strategic direction to R&D activities, understand and analyse real world problems and user requirements, select from a range of proposed conceptual solutions, formulate key research questions and appropriate R&D approaches;
• Undertake research in the development and application of hydraulic models in active water network schemes;
• Utilize standard software for design, assessment, optimization, re-engineering of water and wastewater infrastructure;
• Manage project life cycle, technical resources, scheduling of activities to meet client expectations, balancing competing demands on scope, time, cost and quality;
• Develop proposals for different institutions in order to generate appropriate funds to pursue the strategic objectives of the CSIR;
• Engage with research programs and researchers to identify and grow opportunities to expand research endeavours and strengthen science at national and international level;
• Network with peers in the field’s expertise within and outside the CSIR;
• Engage with clients and industry partners to develop long term relationships;
• Generate research papers, reports, reviews and summaries
• Manage and ensure the development of self and interns through coaching, mentoring, work assignment, structured training and appropriate supervision in order to maximise human potential in line with the needs of the organisation and the national system of innovation.
   

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• An Honours degree or equivalent in Civil engineering with a minimum of five years’ experience in the fields of water engineering;
• A Master’s degree in civil engineering will be an added advantage;
• Knowledge and understanding of hydraulic modelling is essential;
• Knowledge of civil/water engineering practice and understanding of the water value chain infrastructure;
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership;
• Excellent English communication, presentation and writing skills, including the publication of technical outputs;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Computer (MS software), programming and IT skills;
• Problem-solving, solution-seeking orientation;
• Ability to network and proactively establish and maintain links with internal and external stakeholders and clients as well as the research community;
• Professional registration with ECSA will be an added advantage
• Must have a valid driver’s licence.