Scientist Jobs at Department of Agriculture(DOA)

REQUIREMENTS :

• Applicants must be in a possession of a Grade 12 Certificate and an appropriate 4-year BSc (Honours) or equivalent in Agriculture in Soil Science majoring in soil fertility and plant nutrition.
• Compulsory registration with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) as a Professional Natural Scientist. Minimum of 3 years post-qualification regulatory experience.

DUTIES :

• Develop and implement methodologies, systems and procedures. identify and consolidate needs for methodologies, policies, systems and procedures by developing administrative and compliance regulations and SOPs. Identify gaps and develop appropriate interventions by developing guidelines and conducting training workshops. Monitor and evaluate programme performance and perform scientific functions that require interpretation in the absence of an established framework by writing technical reports.
• Provide scientific support and advice through client advisory meetings and via emails. Develop working relations with client base during liaison meetings with clients. Create public awareness of the science system through liaison with stakeholders. Provie scientific data, information and advice as requested by responding to technical enquiries. Perform scientific analysis and regulatory functions. Conduct analysis of scientific data during the evaluation of applications to register fertilizers. Gather and interpret data, evaluate results and disseminate information by publishing information packages. Formulate proposals and compile reports by writing technical submissions when required. Develop and customise scientific models and techniques by contributing to the technical aspects of regulations. Compile technical reports.
• Research and Development. Continuous professional development to keep up with new technologies and procedures by attending technical workshops and conferences. Research/literature studies to improve expertise by reading technical publications. Publish and present research findings; and liaise with relevant bodies /councils, industries, government departments and other stakeholders on science and regulatory related matters.
• Human Capital and Development. Mentor, train and develop candidate scientist and others to promote skills/knowledge transfer and adherence to sound scientific principles and code of practice.
• Customer Service Management. Continuous professional development. To keep up with new technologies and procedures by attending technical workshops and conferences. Research /literature studies to improve expertise by residing publications. Liaise with relevant bodies/councils, industries, government departments and other stakeholders on science and regulatory related matters. 

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REQUIREMENTS :

• Applicant must be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate and BSc (Hon) or M Tech with Botany, Agronomy, Horticulture, Genetics and / or Plant Biotechnology as a major subject. Compulsory registration with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNSP) as a Professional Natural Scientist.
• Job Related Work Experience: A minimum of three (3) years’ post qualification in the field of botany, plant taxonomy, plant breeding or administration of legislation related to Agriculture. Plant Breeders’ Rights Act. Plant Improvement Act. UPOV Convention. Plant Morphology and Physiology. Statistics.

DUTIES :

• Develop and implement relevant systems and procedures. Verifying applications and technical questionnaires submitted by applicants in terms of the Plant Breeding’s Rights Act and the Plant Improvement Act. Establishment of trials in collaboration with the directorate’s farm Manager, applicant or their appointed agent as applicable. Identify location of all candidates and comparative varieties/ liaise with farm manager on field identification. Engage with clients on matters related to their applications and do site visits. Perform technical scientific analysis. Collect data on candidates and standard varieties according to prescribed guidelines.
• Observation and evaluation of candidates to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) or National Test guidelines as applicable. Variety characterisation and documentation. Data analysis on candidates and standard varieties. Compile variety descriptions and DUS reports for candidates’ varieties. Confirm that candidates’ varieties comply to prescribed DUS requirements in terms of the relevant legislation. Data processing. Provide technical support and advice. Collect and provide technical/scientific data, information and advice to Registrars and Plant Improvement organisations. Provide technical support and advice to applicants in relations to Technical Questionnaires submitted in terms of the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act and the Plant Improvement Act. Research and development. Draft and/ or provide input to UPOV and / provide to UPOV and / or national test guidelines.
• Review and study scientific publications, including internet searches, relevant to received PBR/VL applications. Participate at national, regional and international for a. Liaise with relevant scientific bodies on technical /science related matters and exchange of knowledge thereof. Ensure management of reference collections. Ensure proper management of filling system and crop and seed registers. Conduct or participate in research pertaining to variety characters or ring tests as applicable.