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

Job description

The CSIR has vacancy for an ODA Analyst in the Implementation Unit. The purpose of this role is to facilitate and manage the implementation of the ODA key ICT roadmap outputs as agreed by the DST, and closely monitor the National System of Innovation’s investment in ICT Research, Development and Innovation (RDI). This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide input in support of the development of relevant strategic plans for the ODA portfolio
• Develop Memorandum of Understanding/Agreements (MoU/A) with relevant stakeholders and ensure that these are implemented
• Identify mutual areas of collaboration with external partners in partnership with ODA Planning and monitoring Committee. This includes interpreting the ODA strategies and identifying synergistic opportunities that support the implementation of these
• Review relevant strategies of external partners and identify research and development opportunities for the ODA and its network, and disseminating such information
• Be responsible for the operational management of the ODA relationship with partner and service provider networks, including the coordination of ODA engagements, development of collaboration and information sharing mechanism in support of the strategy
• Implement, manage and maintain a system to monitor the Human Capital Development (HCD) and RDI activities in the national ICT sector
• Put in place appropriate organisational forums in support of the implementation of ODA strategies
• Run the day-to-day management of information gathering and reporting
• Manage the delivery from network partners involved in collaborative projects
• Continue to improve operational efficiencies
• Analyse and interpret the RDI investment in the ICT sector throughout the National System of Innovation (NSI)
• Interact on high level with key stakeholders to keep the ODA relevant and to ensure two-way sharing of relevant information
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the NSI and ODA relationships with network partners and service providers
• Arrange for high-level visit to and hosting relevant delegations to the ODA.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A post graduate degree in Information Technology or related field with a focus on information analysis/data science;
• A minimum of five years’ experience in data science, data analysis and visualisation
• Experience in managing research and development
• Experience in strategy implementation, stakeholder management and operations management

• Experience in Human Resource and financial management
• Understanding of innovation systems
• Understanding of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)
• Strategic thinking
• Good communication skills
• Negotiation skills
• Good financial management skills.    

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Job description

The CSIR has a vacancy for an ODA Manager in the Implementation Unit. The purpose of this role is to manage and represent the ODA in all ICT-related initiatives and actively manage the ICT portfolio on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities

• Implement the ODA business plan and strategic objectives in collaboration with the relevant DST Manager
• Align the ODA activities to Government strategic objectives and strategies, with specific emphasis on the DST’s ICT Research Development and Innovation Roadmap
• Coordinate interaction with other Government departments and ICT initiatives to ensure alignment between the DST ICT interventions with other relevant strategies
• Manage the ODA to be in line with the CSIR’s policies, standards and procedures towards adherence to corporate governance
• Manage the ODA to be aligned with the CSIR IU quality processes and prepare ODA operations manual
• Manage key strategic relationships with relevant international and local partners on behalf of the ODA
• Liaise with other relevant entities, programmes and stakeholders
• Develop partnership with key stakeholders linked to the ODA
• Facilitate South African ICT industry access to relevant and appropriate CSIR national facilities and experts
• Organise symposia and workshops as required to further the work of the ODA
• Contract appropriate service providers to implement main areas of activity identified in the ODA business plan
• Actively manage the national public ICT portfolio within the National System of Innovation
• Facilitate the day-to-day management and operation of the ODA
• Prepare associated budgets to support the work of the ODA
• Provide quarterly and annual reports of ODA activities
• Organise, prepare, and support meetings and other work of the ODA
• Carry out any other duties required by Planning and Monitoring Committee
• Ensure that the ODA functions effectively deliver against its short-, medium- and long-term strategic objectives and targets as defined by the DST
• Implement and manage the national flagship projects as identified in the ODA business plan
• Liaise with a diverse portfolio of people locally and internationally.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in Information Technology with at least five years’ experience within the ICT environment with a solid track record in management principal
• Adequate experience in and knowledge of management and other related fields of expertise
• Business-related experience
• Self-disciplined
• Good interpersonal relationship and stakeholder liaison skills
• Well-spoken and diplomatic
• Knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)
• Good financial management skills
• Leadership and people management skills
• Ability to interact and network at a high level and have good technical acumen
• Capacity building