Chief Executive Officer at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The NRF seeks to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on a five (5) year contract, to provide visionary, values-driven and strategic leadership. The incumbent is accountable to the Board for the overall performance, sustainability, and impact of the organisation. The CEO sets the strategic direction of the organisation and leads in the advancement of research, development, and innovation in all scientific disciplines, including the Humanities and Social Sciences. Furthermore, the CEO is responsible for ensuring the integration of science engagement across multiple domains.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall strategic leadership to the organisation in fulfilling its mandate and advancing the NRF’s long-term vision and impact
• Set and champion the strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring effective implementation of NRF Vision 2030, the NRF Strategy, and approved Annual Performance Plans
• Lead and inspire the Executive Management team in translating strategy into coherent, integrated programmes and measurable organisational outcomes
• Ensure that the NRF operates as a unified, purpose-driven organisation with a strong institutional identity, shared values, and a culture of excellence
• Provide intellectual, strategic, and ethical leadership in advancing research, innovation, and human capacity development across the National System of Innovation
• Serve as the principal advisor to the Board on strategic risks, emerging opportunities, and systemic challenges affecting the organisation and its mandate
• Ensure effective and efficient execution of the organisation’s strategy through sound operational leadership and performance management
• Oversee the execution of approved strategies, programmes, and targets, ensuring delivery within approved budgets, timelines, and performance standards
• Ensure the successful implementation and embedding of the approved Service Delivery Model, driving operational coherence, efficiency, and service excellence
• Provide visible and decisive leadership in driving transformation across the organisation and the broader research enterprise
• Lead and champion the OneNRF transformation agenda across all programmes, directorates, and national facilities, aligned with national imperatives
• Ensure the implementation of approved transformation, employment equity, and succession plans to build a diverse, inclusive, and representative organisation
• Ensure alignment between long-term strategic objectives, medium-term plans, and annual performance targets across the organisation
• Oversee the development and implementation of robust planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting frameworks to track progress and impact
• Champion the development of a globally competitive research and innovation ecosystem aligned with national priorities and the STI Decadal Plan
• Foster a high-performance culture grounded in accountability, continuous improvement, ethical leadership, and service excellence
• Ensure the long-term financial sustainability and integrity of the organisation
• Lead in providing strategic oversight of the organisation’s financial management, ensuring sustainability, fiscal discipline, and value for money
• Mobilise additional resources through strategic partnerships, local and international funding, and innovative financing models
• Ensure compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), National Treasury regulations, and organisational financial policies
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with government, higher education institutions, research councils, industry, and international partners
• Strengthen the NRF’s leadership role within the National System of Innovation and advance nationally coordinated science engagement
• Ensure the highest standards of governance, ethics, and regulatory compliance across the organisation

Minimum Qualification:

• Doctoral Degree / NQF 10

Minimum Experience:

• 15-20 years

• A Doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in any disciplineA recognised postgraduate qualification in management, leadership, or executive development will be a strong added advantage
• A minimum of 15 years’ relevant senior leadership experience, with at least 7 years at executive level (CEO/Deputy CEO or equivalent)
• Proven experience in leading large, complex, knowledge-intensive organisations within the public/private sector, research, higher education, innovation, or science systems
• Demonstrated success in leading multi-disciplinary, matrixed organisations operating across multiple programmes, facilities, or portfolios
• Track record of effective engagement with Boards, Ministers, Parliamentary structures, and senior government officials

Experience:

• Visionary, values-driven, and decisively ethical leadership style
• High levels of resilience, judgement, and emotional intelligence within complex and pressured environments
• Strong analytical capability combined with strategic intuition and pragmatism
• Personal commitment to public service, transformation, and societal impact through knowledge and innovation
• Gravitas and credibility to operate at national, continental, and global leadership forums
• Demonstrated experience in building and sustaining high-level partnerships with government, universities, industry, funders, and international agencies
• Strong public-facing presence, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly to diverse audiences
• Proven capacity to position an organisation

Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of the National System of Innovation, higher education and research ecosystem, and science and innovation policy environment
• Proven ability to conceptualise and execute long-term strategy, aligning national priorities with institutional mandates
• Experience in managing complex stakeholder ecosystems, balancing competing interests while delivering coherent outcomes
• Ability to interpret global STI trends and translate them into national and organisational opportunity
• Demonstrated experience as an Accounting Authority or equivalent executive, with accountability for large, multi-year budgets
• Sound working knowledge of PFMA, National Treasury Regulations, and public-sector financial governance
• Proven capability in resource mobilisation, including partnerships, donor funding, international funding, and co-investment models
• Strong commercial judgment, with the ability to balance public-value creation and financial sustainability
• Extensive experience in operating within statutory, regulatory, and governance frameworks applicable to public entities
• Proven record of achieving and maintaining favourable audit outcomes and strengthening internal control environments
• Strong understanding of enterprise risk management, assurance frameworks, and consequence management
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical leadership, integrity, and accountability at institutional level

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 through an Act of Parliament – Act 23 of 1998 (as amended). As a government mandated research and science development agency the NRF funds research, the development of high-end Human Capacity and critical research infrastructure to promote knowledge production across all disciplinary fields, including the Humanities and Social Science. The goal of the NRF is to create innovative funding instruments, advance research career development, increase public science engagement and establish leading-edge research platforms that will transform the scientific landscape and inspire a representative research community to aspire to global competitiveness. The NRF promotes South African research and innovation interests across the country and internationally, and together with research institutions, business, industry and international partners builds bridges between research communities for mutual benefit that contributes to National Development.