Latest Roles at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for Research Group Leader: Voice Computing in the Networked Systems Applications (NSA) Impact Area within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic and technical leadership to a research group, including people management, business development, financial sustainability, and operations management. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of RDI strategy;
• Implement the research, development, and innovation (RD&I) strategy for the group;
• Lead researchers and engineers;
• Promote a culture of science, engineering, and technology (SET) excellence and provide RDI leadership of multiple disciplines relating to human language technology development, including automatic speech recognition, text-to-speech systems, natural language processing, and voice interface design;
• Ensure that the area remains industry and/or service delivery relevant with national and international standing that is directed at cutting edge;
• Propose and/or contribute to the strategic investment plan and implement Parliamentary Grant, Contract Research and Development and other grant-funded projects;
• Develop and implement a business plan for operation, sustainable growth, impact, and robustness of area (including strategy, goals, mission, HR, finances, technology transfer, IP and commercialization);
• Assume leadership in the provision of technical solutions to client programmes;
• Deeply understand the needs of the industry by integrating sector knowledge in multi-dimensional research and development programmes to deliver industry aligned RDI;
• Ensure staff development and strategic Human Capital Development;
• Ensure a well-balanced cutting edge SET capability, in terms of the elements of research, engineering design, or systems/enterprise engineering;
• Ensure SET outputs are achieved;
• Deliver on all KPIs of the area and ensure that all outputs are achieved, including transformation, profit and loss, quality, health, safety, and environment as per agreed targets;
• Implement and comply with appropriate financial, business systems requirements, including operational approvals; 
• Network with peers in the field, within and outside the CSIR;
• Engage with clients and industry partners to develop long-term relationships;
• Provide technical support on business development and participate in client interactions;
• Manage projects through planning of appropriate processes and policies to ensure Intellectual Property (IP) protection and technology transfer;

In collaboration with the Business Development and Commercialization portfolio:

• Drive the transfer of technology and solutions design to industry/user environment;
• Package technologies for commercialisation or develop an “investment ready business” through financial modelling market assessment and business plan development.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctoral degree in field related to human language technology, such as computer science, computer engineering, electronic engineering, computational linguistics, informatics, linguistics with at least five years' experience in human language technology research and/or development within an RDI environment;
• Recognised expertise as a specialist in the field of human language technology research and/or development;
• Sound experience in managing a team of multi-disciplinary professionals;
• 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;
• Business development and financial acumen;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Project management skills;
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain.

Closing date: 19 November 2023

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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

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Telecommunications Engineer/Technologist: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Heterogenous Wireless Technologies in the Spectrum Access and Management Innovation (SAMI) research within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to undertake research, design, develop, integrate, test, maintain and support a variety of technologies, applications, and systems relating to wireless communication and networks. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) in heterogenous radio access network technologies ranging from terrestrial communication networks (e.g. next generation mobile networks, television white space networks, Wi-Fi) to airborne systems (e.g. using the Unmanned Arial Vehicles and satellite); 
• Contribute to the development and implementation bespoke operational programs as part of an overall system, for wireless communications networks and technologies;
• Contribute to a team to develop, configure, test and validate code modules implementing system requirements to meet business needs;
• Liaise with clients to understand and respond to their needs and requirements;
• Guide, coach and support junior team members through inputs on technical aspects;
• Generate and disseminate knew knowledge from own RDI work as peer-reviewed articles; and
• Integrate telecommunications hardware and software systems, including software defined radios and Linux based systems.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours or degree or equivalent to NFQ 8 in electronic /computer/electrical engineering or related fields with at least three years’ relevant experience in the telecommunications industry. 
• A Master’s degree will be advantageous;
• Demonstrated experience in radio access network technologies;
• Knowledge and understanding of telecommunications protocols, RF fundamentals, digital signal processing, and multiple spectrum access techniques;
• Knowledge and understanding of deep learning and/or machine learning and/or artificial intelligence;
• Demonstrated experience in using software defined radios (SDR) and understanding of cognitive radio technology for spectrum sharing;
• Knowledge of software tools and languages (such as C/C++, Python, Matlab) for either the development or testing of software;
• Ability to work independently efficiently and responsibly, as well as a team member, and mentor other colleagues;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; and
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written);
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report/certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
• S/he should be keen to learn and adapt to changes, remain abreast with the latest practices and technology trends to ensure continuous innovation.
• Be part of the research and development projects relating to Artificial Intelligence (AI) orchestrated dynamic spectrum management in heterogenous radio access network environment.

Closing date: 23 November 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Front-end Web Developer: React in the e-Government Impact Area within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to develop front-end web applications using React, with a focus on Digital Government solutions that support and improve service delivery. This position is based in Pretoria (Hybrid).

Key responsibilities:

• Work across disciplines with researchers and experts to conceptualise and develop high-technology software solutions for clients;
• Contribute technically on large and complex technology products/solutions/systems, using cutting-edge technology and innovative designs;
• Form part of an agile team of software developers/engineers delivering working software solutions;
• Lead Frontend development using React;
• Assist architects with high-level system design and integration and participate in development that translates those design into working systems; and
• Contribute to technology research outputs, such as scientific conference papers and journal articles, in selected topics of interest.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in computer science/engineering, information technology or related field with at least five years’ practical experience building professional web applications, particularly on large, complex technology products/solutions/systems;

Mus have five years’ experience in the following:

• HTML5;
• CSS;
• JavaScript/Typescript;
• Responsive and mobile webapp development;
• React;
• Test-driven development; and
• Agile/Scrum.

Experience with the following will be advantageous:

• UX/UI design;
• Other web application frameworks;
• Native mobile development;
• Digital government;
• Health informatics and eHealth systems;
• Backend/Full-stack development;
• Devops, automation, continuous integration, continuous delivery;
• Docker;
• Kubernetes;
• Microservices;
• Information security;
• Research and publication of scientific articles; and
• Any other programming languages.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 21 November 2023

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About the job:

 The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Back-end Developer in the e-Government Impact Area within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to develop software and information systems, with a focus on Digital Government solutions that support and improve service delivery. This position is based in Pretoria (Hybrid).

Key responsibilities:

• Develop application and system backends using JavaScript/Typescript and Express;
• Work across disciplines with researchers and experts to conceptualise and develop high-technology software solutions for clients;
• Contribute technically on large and complex technology products/solutions/systems, using cutting-edge technology and innovative designs;
• Form part of an agile team of software developers/engineers delivering working software solutions;
• Connect application and system backends to PostgreSQL databases;
• Assist the architects and lead developers with high-level system design and integration and participate in development that translates those design into working systems; and
• Contribute to technology research outputs, such as scientific conference papers and journal articles, in selected topics of interest.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electronic/computer engineering, information technology or related field with at least five years’ experience in professional software development and engineering, particularly on large, complex technology products/solutions/systems;

Must have five years’ experience in the following:

• Backend development using either Java or JavaScript/Typescript (or both)
• SQL;
• PostgreSQL;
• Agile/Scrum;
• Test-driven development; and
• Docker.

JavaScript/Typescript backend knowledge and experience required in:

• Node.js;
• Express.js;
• NPM;

Java backend knowledge and experience required in:

• Spring and Spring Boot;
• Java EE;
• JDBC and JPA/Hibernate; and
• Java application servers such as Tomcat, Wildfly, and Glassfish.

Experience with the following would be advantageous:

• Full stack development;
• Frontend Web development using HTML5, JavaScript/Typescript, and React;
• Mobile web and app development;
• UX/UI design;
• MongoDB;
• Other node.js frameworks like Nest;
• Java and Spring;
• Python;
• Develops, automation, continuous integration, continuous delivery;
• Application and System Monitoring (ELK/EFK);
• Digital government;
• Health informatics and eHealth systems;
• Information security;
• System architectures and design;
• Interoperability and system integration;
• Research and publication of scientific articles;
• Systems integration and interoperability; and
• Any other programming languages.  

Closing date: 20 November 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Project Coordinator in the Networked Systems and Applications within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for providing project coordination support to the Impact Area project management team and ensure that projects are conducted in compliance with project management principles. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the financial and technical administration of projects in the Impact Area to ensure projects are executed and completed on brief, on budget and on time;
• Support the project managers, research group leaders and Impact Area Manager during the development of proposals for projects in the Impact Area;
• Provide administrative support for the routing and signing-off of contracts and/or agreements according or organisational policies and procedures;
• Support project managers to maintain project documentation throughout the lifecycle of the projects as required;
• Administrate project risk tracking and assist with the administration of timesheets as required;
• Provide administrative support for financial declarations and invoicing on contracts on a monthly basis;
• Administrate the secured sales and leads register of the Impact Area;
• Support the Impact Area Manager with operational management activities for the Impact Area, as required;
• Develop and administrate processes to facilitate the efficient and effective management of operational matters within the Impact Area.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• A National diploma in science, engineering, technology, project management or a related field with at least three years’ experience in project coordination within a Project/Programme Management environment assisting in the coordination of multiple projects;
• A Bachelor's degree will be advantageous;
• Project management training (short courses) and/or certification will be advantageous;
• Must be computer literate (Microsoft 365) and very proficient in tools for project management and task management (Microsoft Tasks, Planner, Teams and Project, and particularly Excel);
• Must have a mind-set/attitude/behaviour that takes ownership and responsibility of a problem or project;
• High energy and work rate to get things done effectively and efficiently with quick thinking and initiative to find ways and means to resolve problems and obstacles;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with others across research teams;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• Adaptability to change, ability to multi-task, prioritise work, and to consistently perform under pressure;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Financial acumen and experience in administrating project finances, would be preferred;
• Knowledge of information and communication technology, particularly in the telecommunications sector, would be preferred.

Closing date: 08 November 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Lead Software Quality Assurance / Test Automation Engineer in the e-Government Impact Area within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to lead Quality Assurance (QA) activities to test, verify and evaluate the functionality of software solutions developed by agile software teams. S/He will ensure the software works as expected and that quality standards are achieved and maintained. This position is based in Pretoria (Hybrid).

Key responsibilities:

• Lead QA activities across across-functional agile teams delivering working software solutions;
• Work across disciplines with product owners, developers, researchers and experts to deliver high-quality software solutions for clients;
• Develop testing strategies and efficient, effective testing processes;
• Coordinate manual testing activities with development, project management and business stakeholders;
• Lead the adoption and implementation of continuous, automated and synthetic testing;
• Drive good QA practice and test automation across multiple teams;
• Lead a small team of software quality professionals; provide leadership, coaching and mentorship;
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of multiple product requirements and business processes;
• Perform code and documentation reviews and provides documented feedback on code quality, performance limiters, and adherence to best practices;
• Communicate test progress, issues, and risks to the team and stakeholders; Capture, analyse and report test results.
• Identify and track software defects, working with development teams to ensure timely resolution;
• Manage test environments and ensure they are maintained and available for testing activities;
• Conduct exploratory testing to uncover defects and provide valuable feedback;
• Monitor and report on testing progress, test coverage, and defect trends;
• Keep up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies in software testing; and
• Develop and maintain test documentation.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in computer science/engineering, information technology/systems, data science, or related fields with at least six years’ practical experience in professional software QA, particularly on large, complex technology products/solutions/systems;
• Experience supporting multiple, simultaneous engagements/customers will be advantageous;

Knowledge and/or experience in the following is required:

• Testing tools and methodologies;
• Software development, coding, scripting;
• Automated testing and automation frameworks like Selenium, TestnG, cucumber       nunit/xunit, robotramework or similar;
• Test-driven development; and
• Manual testing.

Experience with the following would be advantageous:

• Behaviour-drive development;
• Usability testing;
• Mobile web and app testing;
• Digital government;
• Health informatics and eHealth systems;
• Develops, automation, continuous integration, continuous delivery;
• Research and publication of scientific articles;
• Data Science, Databases; and
• Any programming languages.

Must be able to:

• Lead and grow a team of software quality professionals;
• Analyse complex information and identify patterns;
• Manage time effectively and prioritize their tasks and those of others;
• Lead a team and function as an individual contributor;
• Work well under pressure and interact with customers, both internal and external, in a positive and professional manner.
• Must understand the business context in which they are working; 

Must have the following skills:

• Strong Communication.
• Fluent in English. 
• Well organised. 
• Proactive thinking.
• Problem-solving.
• Solution-seeking orientation. 

Closing date: 22 November 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Front-end Web Developer: React in the e-Government Impact Area within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to develop front-end web applications using React, with a focus on Digital Government solutions that support and improve service delivery. This position is based in Pretoria (Hybrid).

Key responsibilities:

• Work across disciplines with researchers and experts to conceptualise and develop high-technology software solutions for clients; 
• Contribute technically on large and complex technology products/solutions/systems, using cutting-edge technology and innovative designs; 
• Form part of an agile team of software developers/engineers delivering working software solutions; 
• Develop front-end web applications using React; 
• Assist the architects with high-level system design and integration and participate in development that translates those design into working systems; and   
• Contribute to technology research outputs, such as scientific conference papers and journal articles, in selected topics of interest. 

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in computer science/engineering, information technology or related field with at least two years’ practical experience building professional web applications, particularly on large, complex technology products/solutions/systems;

Mus have two years’ experience in the following:

• HTML5;
• CSS;
• JavaScript/Typescript;
• React;
• Test-driven development; and
• Agile/Scrum.

Experience with the following will be advantageous:

• UX/UI design;
• Other web application frameworks;
• Responsive and mobile webapp development;
• Native mobile development;
• Digital government;
• Health informatics and eHealth systems;
• Backend/Full-stack development;
• Devops, automation, continuous integration, continuous delivery;
• Docker;
• Kubernetes;
• Microservices;
• Information security;
• Research and publication of scientific articles; and
• Any other programming languages.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 16 November 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a DevOps Engineer in the e-Government Impact Area within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to design, build, test and maintain the infrastructure and tools that e-Government’s software development teams require for speedy and reliable software development and delivery. This position is based in Pretoria (Hybrid).

Key responsibilities:

• Design, develop, maintain and support CI/CD templates, processes, tools and pipelines;
• Work across disciplines with developers, researchers and experts to deliver high-technology software solutions for clients;
• Support cross-functional software teams in adopting DevSecOps, CI/CD, automation, test data management; software deployment and management;
• Work with system administrators and operations to monitor and maintain software deployments across multiple environments (dev, QA, production);
• Work with developers to build effective CI/CD automation pipelines, delivery and deployment processes, and software management and maintenance processes;
• Manage container orchestration software (docker, k8s);
• Implement automated security testing; and
• Contribute to technology research outputs, such as scientific conference papers and journal articles, in selected topics of interest.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in computer/electronic engineering, computer science, information technology or related field with at least four years’ practical experience in professional DevOps and software development, particularly on large, complex technology products/solutions/systems;
• An Honours degree will be advantageous;

Knowledge and/or experience in the following is required:

• DevOps;
• Software development;
• Full software lifecycle;
• CI/CD and automation;
• Automated testing;
• Docker;
• Kubernetes;
• Programming/scripting in Python;
• Linux shell scripting (sh/bash);
• Linux system configuration;
• Building, testing, packaging, configuring, deploying, monitoring and maintaining production software including web applications, web servers, database servers (postgresql, mariadb, mongodb), application servers (Java and node.js)
• Agile/Scrum; and
• Test-driven development.

Experience with the following would be advantageous:

• DevSecOps;
• Web and mobile application development;
• Backend development;
• Digital government, Health informatics and Digital Health systems;
• Information security;
• System architectures and design;
• Interoperability and system integration;
• Research and publication of scientific articles; and
• Any other programming languages. 
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 22 November 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Management Accountant (Portfolios) in the Financial Services portfolio.The incumbent will be responsible to partner with management and support management decision making through effective financial planning, performance management and reporting, ensuring accurate and complete financial information, maintaining effective financial controls, and assisting management in the formulation of effective solutions to support the implementation of the organization`s strategy. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

Prepare standard financial report: data analytics and measurements

• Plan, communicate and manage month-end, year-end and ad hoc processes required to ensure accurate and complete monthly and annual financial results and follow-up and resolve outstanding queries
• Compile, analyse and interpret monthly management accounts for relevant business areas, including detailed variance analysis with accurate and relevant stakeholders to mitigate financial risk and met financial targets.
• Prepare relevant ad-hoc reports and data analysis to provide insight into business performance, including predictive results, to support effective management decision making and improve financial sustainability.
• Ensure relevance of reports and implement improvements on continuous basis.
• Ensure that all are accurate, completed and approved with the required timeframes.

Contract Management: for ensuring accurate and complete commercial contracting and financial results

• Ensure compliance with terms and conditions of commercial agreements for both customers and suppliers
• Review accuracy and completeness of the contract milestones/deliverables, billing plans, budget allocations and cost centres on the financial system to monitor and report on progress
• Ensure that contracts (and associated projects) are correctly classified, and register based on the required accounting standard which is informed by the relevant IFRS/IAS contract classification checklist
• Ensure that a signed copy of contract, routing sheet and accounting standard classification checklist is registered on the system to ensure ease of access to supporting documents and electronic audit trail
• Prepare/review weekly, monthly and annual contract reports, including analysis to identify gaps and areas of concern.  Provide reports to relevant manager/line staff, including recommended actions required to ensure contract delivery in terms of performance obligations
• Ensure that contract/project specific reports are prepared based on client specification and requirements are as per signed agreements to include progress against plan (if applicable)
• Review and approve contract reconciliations prepare by the financial administration/accounting officers for accuracy and correctness and ensure queries have been actioned timeously
• Ensure that contract/project management meetings are attended by relevant finance team members

Finance Service Delivery: ensure high levels of internal customer satisfaction through delivering high quality Finance products and services for the organisation

Financial Management

• Ensure that all financial information for relevant areas of responsibility is recorded accurately and completely
• Formulate and recommend relevant revenue and costing models informed by latest information, benchmarking, and best practice to improve operational decision making and profitability within areas of responsibility
• Identify and implement cost savings initiatives and efficiencies within areas of responsibility
• Review and approve manual journals and upload (including correction of errors, provisions and accruals, bad debt, manual adjustments, zero rate vat, forecast, interest capitalisation and monthly overhead cost recovery) to accurately reflect financial information and cost distribution for accurate financial month-end results
• Scrutinise the trial balance before month end to ensure completeness and validity of entries and follow up on abnormal or missing entries.  Consider accruals and discuss findings, recommendations, and corrections with Finance Manager
• Ensure that monthly reconciliations for relevant income statement and balance sheet accounts are prepared and reviewed and that reconciling items are resolved and cleared timeously
• Provide information and substantiating documentation to central Finance to clear items from control accounts and ensure expenses are correctly accounted for and assets added in the correct categories

Manage the budget process

• Plan, communicate and manage the budget process in terms of annual directive for areas of responsibility
• Provide financial information and budget requirements to managers to enable them to prepare their budgets
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of budget base data received from the internal CSIR department to assist with accurate internal overheads/recoveries planning
• Ensure the budgets are accurately captures on the CSIR budget system
• Consolidate budgets for review by Financial Manager and relevant operational manager

Manage the forecast process

• Plan, communicate and managed the monthly forecast process for areas of responsibility
• Engage with Division/Portfolio and department managers to ensure accuracy and reliability of information used as a basis for forecasts
• Consolidate forecasts including variance analyses and corrective actions for review by Financial Manager and relevant operational manager
• Review/approve forecast adjustment journals and ensure that journals are updated into system as per agreed upon forecast

Interact with customers and stakeholders (internal and external)

• Maintain professionalism in all interactions
• Ensure that all queries are resolved timeously

Support internal/External audits to ensure compliance to stated financial objectives and audit requirements

• Engage with internal and external auditors to understand the audit requirements and to ensure an efficient audit is conducted within the required frames
• Provide system and process descriptions and other information requirements, on project specific audits, internal audit requests/reports and annual/specific external audits to comply with stated objectives of the audit and financial requirements and to assist the auditors in meeting set deadlines
• Review and provide recommendations and implement corrective action as agreed

Governance and compliance: compliance to financial framework and relevant legislation and implementation of effective financial controls within the Business areas

• Review and recommend business process improvements to the financial manager or relevant responsible persons to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of financial support
• Communicate and assist with the implementation of CSIR policy and process changes to ensure compliance by staff

Financial Administration

Provide management oversight and direction to all financial administration activities, including:

• Ensure the Business areas Petty Cash float is managed and accounted for through regular cash counts and that petty cash expenses are within policy and procedures and that total expenses and cash reconciles with the petty cash float (where relevant)
• Ensure effective management of open orders, ensuring timely follow up and action to close orders by Financial Administration Officers
• Ensure local and overseas employee reimbursement claims are verified that the appropriate and supporting documentation is attached and that the correct cost centres are indicated, the correctness of the approval by the direct managers are validated, before approving and submitting for processing
• Review and approve voice and data allowances for areas of responsibility
• Ensure effective record keeping
• Any other financial administration related activities

Support Finance Team

• Coach, train and manage performance of staff or junior team members
• Ensure team members perform their duties in accordance with their job requirements
• Evaluate segregation of duties continuously to ensure the control environment remains intact
• Identify gaps for training or development of staff to assist with skills retention and succession planning
• Provide training to support finance team on the business process requirements of contract management and project administration and the impact of transactions processed in the financial system to provide them with a good understanding of their responsibilities in performing their duties efficiently in support of the Division/Portfolio
• Foster a culture of excellence, customer service and continuous improvement

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting/Finance/Management Accounting or equivalent
• A Bachelor of Commerce Honours or CIMA - advantageous

At least six years` finance experience in a medium to large business, including:

• At least three years management accountant experience
• Financial reconciliation and reporting
• Financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
• Analysis and interpretation of financial data
• Sound understanding of international accounting standards
• Sound understanding of legislation applicable to state owned entities
• Supervision of junior team members
• Financial management
• Management accounting
• Financial analysis and reporting
• Budget/forecast preparation
• Internal controls
• Sound knowledge of auditing requirements
• Full Microsoft suite
• Solid understanding of accounting and CSIR financial systems
• Knowledge and application of contract and project administration principles and accounting requirements
• Excellent communication skills
• Effective leadership skills
• Well organised
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities

Closing date: 17 November 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Chief Researcher: Sustainable Mobility within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The Smart Mobility Cluster of the CSIR addresses challenges and opportunities associated with transport systems and operations, infrastructure, transport operations, and logistics management in support of industrial and sustainable development. This position is based in Pretoria, South Africa.

About the Smart Mobility Cluster:

The CSIR’s Smart Mobility addresses challenges and opportunities associated with transport systems and operations, infrastructure, transport operations, and logistics management in support of Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, the Cluster is made up of two impact areas, namely Transport Systems and Operations; and Transport Infrastructure Engineering. The Transport Systems and Operations Impact Area develops science, engineering and technology led solutions to leapfrog the performance of transport system operations in support of sustainable development, including passenger transport, business logistics, transport safety, and infrastructure management systems. The Transport Infrastructure Engineering Impact Area strives to effectively and efficiently deliver practical, innovative, knowledge-based solutions addressing the infrastructure needs of the transport sector. Furthermore, the area plays a leading role in the development, application and transfer of processes and technologies for the design, construction, maintenance and management of transport infrastructure, including infrastructure design, construction and maintenance, assessment of material and pavement behaviour, and performance modelling.

Key responsibilities:

• Conceptualise, structure, manage and implement large and impactful research projects nationally, regionally and internationally to advance sustainable mobility research and innovation;
• Formulate national and international research and innovation strategies in collaboration with global partners;
• Provide thought leadership in sustainable mobility research and innovation;
• Contribute to the development of appropriate mobility policies nationally and globally;
• Contribute to the development of appropriate technologies, and their commercialisation, in support of sustainable mobility;
• Attract sufficient funding, locally and internationally, for large teams of researchers and support staff;
• Network both nationally and internationally, and interact with stakeholders within relevant domains, to develop long-term relationships that advance sustainable mobility research, development and innovation;
• Provide technical and strategic leadership and mentorship to staff by ensuring quality scientific outputs and deepening of professional development and scientific capacity;
• Promote a culture of scientific, engineering and technological excellence; and
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting work at national and international conferences and workshops.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A PhD degree in engineering, economics, or related field. A Masters qualification may be acceptable for highly experienced candidates on a journey to completing a PhD degree.

15 years technical leadership experience in at least one of the following fields:

• Infrastructure economics
• Passenger transport
• Transport infrastructure engineering
• Transport safety
• Materials testing and design
• Transport modelling
• Intelligent transport systems
• Experience with the successful coordination of high impact collaborations between research and industry;
• A track record in attracting and securing funding to support multidisciplinary teams of researchers/practitioners and support staff;
• Outstanding technical record over a ten-to-fifteen-year period, including high impact publications and technical reports;
• Track record in the development of policies and/or industry standards;
• Registration with a relevant professional body;
• Excellent understanding of global mobility and technology trends;
• Ability to lead the development of newer technologies that would benefit South Africa and their localisation where relevant;
• Having a rating with the National Research Foundation will be advantageous;
• Track record in successful patenting will be advantageous;
• Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge;
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills;
• Ability to continuously disseminate research, development and innovation outputs;
• Must have excellent communication, presentation and writing skills;
• Must have the ability to work accurately, efficiently and independently as well as in a team;
• Ability to work in a methodical manner is essential;
• Ability to carry out strategic stakeholder interactions at all levels;
• Ability to effectively present ideas, concepts, plan and procedures; and
• Demonstrated track record of the ability to work accurately, independently and efficiently.

Closing date: 17 November 2023