Vacancies Available at The South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Key Performance Areas:

• Develop and implement the Regional Training Centre (RTC) strategy. 
• Oversee the development and enhancement of meteorological and technical training programmes for commercial purposes and ensure that they are to client specifications as well as cost effective. 
• Develop the annual national and regional training plans and ensure these are aligned to the SAWS strategy. 
• Ensure that the specialized library is managed according to budget and the needs of SAWS and the relevant stakeholders. 
• Oversee the development of facilitator and learner guides, assessments and moderation criteria or all qualifications and ensure that all meet the international acceptable standards and are accredited with the relevant bodies. 
• Identify training needs of SADC through established channels and methods and manage training and development initiatives accordingly. 
• Remain actively involved with any authoritative reMANCO and other SAWS departments to deliver on the SAWS mandate 
• Actively promote the South African Weather Service’s interests and commitment to professional service delivery to all its stakeholders (internal, national and international liaison). 
• Represents SAWS in matters related to meteorological education and training at WMO and other local and international training institutions. 
• Manage the RTC team’s performance according to the agreed performance standards 
• Collaborate with the commercial team as they actively promote and seek commercial revenue streams for the Regional Training Centre. 
• Develop, promote and implement training programs that generate revenue for SAWS 

Required Minimum Education/Training: 

• Masters in Natural Sciences viz. Meteorology/Atmospheric Science 
• A PhD is an added advantage. 
• PHD in Atmospheric Sciences or Meteorology (NQF 10) 

Required Minimum Work Experience: 

• 10 years’ experience in Meteorological related management and 3 years at Senior Management level 
• 5 years’ experience as a related trainer 

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Key Performance Areas: 

• Optimized and delivery-enabled Technical Infrastructure 
• Responsible for the development and the implementation of the organisation’s infrastructure Sustainability plan. 
• Maintain the SAWS’ Meteorological infrastructure and ensure optimal functionality, availability, and reliability e.g., Radar, LDN Infrastructure, Upper air sounding systems, 
• Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Automatic Rainfall Stations (ARS) etc. 
• Develop pro-active and engineered solutions for corrective actions where needed such as failure mode analysis, incident investigations and reporting as well as mitigations implementation. 
• Prepare and submit monthly/quarterly and annual Infrastructure Performance Reports 
• Ensure business continuity by ensuring sustainability of SAWS Meteorological 
• Infrastructure through healthy power supply and auxiliary support systems and infrastructure. 
• Maintain a healthy infrastructure performance in line with contracted performance levels. 
• Ensure innovative approaches that enable sustainability of meteorological infrastructure within limited resources including continuous assessment efficiencies and cost benefits analysis of current resources, business processes and Technical Service structure/organogram. 

Innovation

• Keep abreast of industry and international trends or innovation to ensure that the SAWS’ infrastructure is relevant and up to date. 
• Develop or source new technology to improve productivity or service delivery and constantly look at continuous improvement. 
• Project Management 
• Manage the procurement, installation, and commissioning of the organisation’s technical 

Infrastructure.

• Manage the roll out of the SAWS’ technical infrastructure projects and support all improvements of the infrastructure performance. 

 Governance, Risk and Compliance 

• Responsible for the implementation of governance, risk, and compliance frameworks for the department, in line with the overall risk management framework. 
• Ensure that the SAWS’ Meteorological infrastructure meets the WMO standards and obligations 
• Manage and maintain the departmental contracts and service level agreements ensuring that they are concluded in term before they lapse. 
• Maintain the SAWS ‘infrastructure database 
• Manage the department’s Opex and Capex budgets 

People Management and Leadership 

• Effectively lead and manage the department by maintaining a motivated team to deliver on the SAWS mandate within the allocated resources 
• Ensure that the technical team is trained and up to date with the relevant 
• Technically related regulations and that they have the personal development plans where applicable 
• Ensure skills transfer and the development of the team members within the department 
• Promote a culture and practices that reflect the SAWS values. 
• Mentorship and Coaching of Technical Staff toward professional registration and compliance with industry regulations. 
• Participate and Lead Knowledge Sharing in the Technical Team Cross Functional 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Management of both internal and external auditing finding and maintenance of CAPA registers. 
• Maintain effective relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders to deliver on the mandate of the department. 
• Drive inter-departmental alignment  

Minimum Requirements and Attributes: 

• Engineering or related Degree 
• Post-graduate qualification 
• At least 10 years’ experience in an Electronic Maintenance and Support environment. 
• Experience in hardware and software Research and Development 
• Knowledge of the PFMA and Treasury Regulations 
• Stakeholder relations management 
• At least 3 years people management experience 
• Experience in a public sector would be an added advantage 
• Professional Registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) will be added advantage. 

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Key Performance Areas:

Products, Service Delivery / Infrastructure maintenance:

• Ensure data availability from remote Observation Networks such as Automatic weather stations, RADAR, Lightning Detection Network, Automatic Rainfall stations, conforming to approved organizational targets.
• Accurately diagnoses and repairs faulty equipment to enable network availability.
• Undertakes continuous monitoring of Observing Networks and evaluate system performance.
• Implements the Inspection Programme for Observing Networks to maintain data integrity.
• Liaises with Commercial Clients on AWS installation and maintenance matters.
• Identifies new sites in the expansion of network areas and prepares proposals for approval by Regional Manager.
• Compiles the infrastructure demand plan for the region, with support from Meteorological Technicians.
• Coordinates infrastructure replacement requests with Technical Services.
• Ensures calibration and testing of meteorological equipment as and when necessary.
• Coordinates the incoming and outgoing of meteorological equipment.
• Ensures that reactive and non-reactive maintenance is attended to within the stipulated timeframes as directed by Technical Services and the Line Manager.

Innovation, Process Improvement & Revenue Generation:

• Monitors adherence to EQS processes to enable certification of equipment of Observing Networks.
• Participates in the planning and directs the implementation of decommissioning and re- commissioning of the weather observation systems.
• Provides analysis and recommendations on asset life cycles.
• Analyse current techniques and technologies used in the collection and processing of data to ensure the best practices are used and applied consistently across the board.
• Develops maintenance processes for Observing Networks.
• Develops business continuity plans to ensure availability of systems.

Administration, Governance, Risk & Compliance:

• Prepares infrastructure status reports for Regional Manager a daily basis.
• Monitors MOU with Site Owners to ensure fulfilment of contractual obligations.
• Prepares specification for procurement of technical equipment.
• Proactively orders Weather observation infrastructure spares to prevent work disruptions.
• Ensure the availability of the relevant Standard Operating Procedures, and that the junior personnel are well inducted on these also have easy access to them and comply accordingly.
• Ensure Compliance with designated national and international standards.
• Analyse and interpret regional infrastructure performance through monitoring and evaluation. Where applicable implement corrective actions.
• Ensures strict adherence to SHEQ policies and procedures.
• Monitor the Risk Register and ensure the implementation of identified risks mitigation actions.
• Participate in various regional audits and ensure that all audit findings are addressed
• Compiles monthly, quarterly and annual status reports on Observing Networks for submission to Regional Manager.
• Give input on budget planning.
• Assist the region and SCM with sourcing of local suppliers.

People, Culture and Values:

• Promote a culture and practices that reflect the SAWS values and manage the team’s performance.
• Develop Capacity and capability required to sustain/ maintain observations infrastructure ion operation.
• Takes ownership of own development activities to ensure performance against agreed standards.
• Contributes to team success by contribution and commitment to the team.

Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with the other regional Team in an effort to deliver the SAWS mandate.
• Implement public awareness programmes for the local communities. (Office outreach activities).

Minimum Requirements and Attributes:

• BTech in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Light Current) or equivalent.
• At least 5 years’ experience within Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent environment.
• Code EB or Code 08 (without endorsements).
• Leadership and management skills

go to method of application »

Key Performance Areas:

Products, Service Delivery / Infrastructure maintenance:

• Ensure data availability from remote Observation Networks such as Automatic weather stations, RADAR, Lightning Detection Network, Automatic Rainfall stations, conforming to approved organizational targets.
• Accurately diagnoses and repairs faulty equipment to enable network availability.
• Undertakes continuous monitoring of Observing Networks and evaluate system performance.
• Implements the Inspection Programme for Observing Networks to maintain data integrity.
• Liaises with Commercial Clients on AWS installation and maintenance matters.
• Identifies new sites in the expansion of network areas and prepares proposals for approval by Regional Manager.
• Compiles the infrastructure demand plan for the region, with support from Meteorological Technicians.
• Coordinates infrastructure replacement requests with Technical Services.
• Ensures calibration and testing of meteorological equipment as and when necessary.
• Coordinates the incoming and outgoing of meteorological equipment.
• Ensures that reactive and non-reactive maintenance is attended to within the stipulated timeframes as directed by Technical Services and the Line Manager.

Innovation, Process Improvement & Revenue Generation:

• Monitors adherence to EQS processes to enable certification of equipment of Observing Networks.
• Participates in the planning and directs the implementation of decommissioning and re- commissioning of the weather observation systems.
• Provides analysis and recommendations on asset life cycles.
• Analyse current techniques and technologies used in the collection and processing of data to ensure the best practices are used and applied consistently across the board.
• Develops maintenance processes for Observing Networks.
• Develops business continuity plans to ensure availability of systems.

Administration, Governance, Risk & Compliance:

• Prepares infrastructure status reports for Regional Manager a daily basis.
• Monitors MOU with Site Owners to ensure fulfilment of contractual obligations.
• Prepares specification for procurement of technical equipment.
• Proactively orders Weather observation infrastructure spares to prevent work disruptions.
• Ensure the availability of the relevant Standard Operating Procedures, and that the junior personnel are well inducted on these also have easy access to them and comply accordingly.
• Ensure Compliance with designated national and international standards.
• Analyse and interpret regional infrastructure performance through monitoring and evaluation. Where applicable implement corrective actions.
• Ensures strict adherence to SHEQ policies and procedures.
• Monitor the Risk Register and ensure the implementation of identified risks mitigation actions.
• Participate in various regional audits and ensure that all audit findings are addressed
• Compiles monthly, quarterly and annual status reports on Observing Networks for submission to Regional Manager.
• Give input on budget planning.
• Assist the region and SCM with sourcing of local suppliers.

People, Culture and Values:

• Promote a culture and practices that reflect the SAWS values and manage the team’s performance.
• Develop Capacity and capability required to sustain/ maintain observations infrastructure ion operation.
• Takes ownership of own development activities to ensure performance against agreed standards.
• Contributes to team success by contribution and commitment to the team.

Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with the other regional Team in an effort to deliver the SAWS mandate.
• Implement public awareness programmes for the local communities. (Office outreach activities).

Minimum Requirements and Attributes:

• BTech in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Light Current) or equivalent.
• At least 5 years’ experience within Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent environment.
• Code EB or Code 08 (without endorsements).
• Leadership and management skills