About the position
Postion Summary:
The National Research Foundation (NRF) seeks to make an appointment for the position of Administrative Assistant: Industry, Innovation, Research and Development within the Research, Innovation, Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA) Division.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provides reliable, professional, and responsive administrative support to the team to function efficiently and effectively;Demonstrates strong organisational skills by managing calendars, correspondence, meetings, and logistics with accuracy and discretion;Ensures a well-organised working environment through proactive coordination of office resources and support services;Contribute to effective grant administration by maintaining accurate, well-organised grant records and supporting compliance with grant conditions;Demonstrates attention to detail and accountability in tracking grant timelines, milestones, and documentation;Ability to maintain accurate, up-to-date partner information to strengthen relationship management;Ensures the integrity, accuracy, and accessibility of information by maintaining and updating databases related to grants, partnerships, and programme activities;Supports effective internal and external communication by coordinating information flow related to Industry, Innovation, Research and Development (IIRD);Communicates clearly, professionally, and timeously, ensuring stakeholders receive accurate and relevant information while upholding the organisation’s reputation and standards;Contributes to good governance and accountability by supporting compliance with financial policies, procedures, and reporting requirements;Demonstrates integrity and diligence in assisting with documentation, record-keeping, and reporting processes;Contributes to organizing and coordinating events such as workshops, conferences and symposia;Emotional intelligence; and Science diplomacy
Minimum Qualification:
- Bachelors Degree / Advanced Diploma / NQF 7
Minimum Experience:
- A Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) with evidence of administration experience
- An Honours’ Degree (NQF 8) will be an added advantage
- 1 - 2 years’ work experience in office management
- Demonstrated experience of administrating grants and partnerships activities
Experience:
- Good verbal and written communication skills in business language (English)Computer proficiency with MS Office suitePublic speaking and presentation capabilities (oral and written)Good interpersonal, stakeholder relations and conflict resolution skillsFinancial resourcing, human resources management, change management and diplomacy skillsCritical thinking, problem solving, an eye for detail, quantitative and qualitative analytical capabilitiesMulti-partner programme cooperation capabilitiesDemonstrable knowledge of project management
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the South African Higher Education System
- Familiarity with PFMA, labour legislation, and management best practices
The NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant·s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.
Desired Skills:
- Skilled in applied field of position
- Knowledge to be relevant
- Responsible in performing duties
About The Employer:
The National Research Foundation (NRF) was established by an Act of Parliament and mandated to contribute to national development by supporting, promoting, and advancing research and human capacity development, through funding and the provision of the necessary research infrastructure, in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation, and development in all fields of science and technology, including humanities, social sciences, and indigenous knowledge; and supporting and promoting public awareness of, and engagement with, science. The NRF is a well-established organisation that is highly networked within the knowledge system, nationally and internationally. It is the principal organisation responsible for promoting the national research enterprise and is the primary public funder of postgraduate students and researchers and provider of research infrastructure in the country. It has well-developed, best-practice research evaluation and support systems.
