About the position
Postion Summary:
The NRF seeks to appoint a Group Executive, on a five-year contract, to provide strategic leadership and oversight for the NRF’s enterprise-wide Digital Transformation agenda.
Key Responsibilities:
- Contribute to strategic deliberations at Executive and Board levels, providing substantive insights that inform the development and refinement of the organisational Strategy and Annual Performance Plan
- Provide long-term strategic perspective by aligning functional goals, plans, and priorities with the organisation’s Mission and Vision, ensuring an appropriate balance between immediate operational demands and long-term in Develop and lead the implementation the NRF Digital Transformation Strategy
- Position the NRF as a digital platform organisation supporting research funding and knowledge generation
- Align digital investments with NRF strategic priorities and national research goals
- Oversee the establishment and maintenance of enterprise architecture frameworks
- Ensure interoperability of systems across NRF programmes, research institutions, and national systems Cultivate and maintain strategic, trust-based relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance organisational goals and safeguard the NRF’s reputation and interests
- Represent the organisation at high-level forums, engagements, and strategic discussions, ensuring alignment between stakeholder expectations and institutional priorities
- Promote a collaborative, service-oriented organisational culture by strengthening cross-functional partnerships and driving adherence to internal service standards and agreements
- Oversee software development to ensure alignment with organisational standards and objectives
- Explore and evaluate new software development methodologies to enhance delivery effectiveness
- Facilitate seamless integration and implementation of software solutions across systems
- Manage the design of software solutions to ensure quality and scalability
- Manage the software construction and integration process to ensure efficient delivery
- Assess the performance of ICT infrastructure against established standards and benchmarks
- Ensure alignment of infrastructure solutions with organisational requirements and strategic objectives
- Ensure that the NRF maintains a records management system that complies with legislative requirements
- Implement a compliant records management strategy and supporting policies that recognise information sources and preservation methodologies
- Ensure management of an efficient hybrid records management environment aligned with the functional subject file plan approved by the National Archives of South Africa
- Oversee planning and execution across all business units regarding information protection, management, and provenance
- Optimise ICT operations and support services to improve efficiency and effectiveness
- Ensure the enablement of the Open Science Agenda both internally and externally
- Act as an ambassador for change to build a sustainable culture of continuous improvement by infusing learning, enabling best practice sharing, and developing change management capabilities
- Design and coordinate organisational change programmes aligned with strategic objectives
- Provide guidance and support through information and data analytics for operational, planning, and strategic purposes, including advisory support to the Minister and thought leadership contributions
- Provide oversight of data science initiatives, including the integration of artificial intelligence capabilities
- Implement an agile cyber risk response framework to strengthen organisational resilience
- Implement and maintain an up-to-date cyber risk strategy based on global risk identification advisories
- Provide visionary leadership and mentorship to the division’s Management teams, fostering a culture of continuous professional growth, capability development, and robust succession planning
- Ensure the prudent and compliant utilisation of Divisional financial resources in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and related guidelines
- Ensure full adherence to all applicable legislation, regulatory frameworks, sector standards, internal policies, and governance requirements relevant to the Executive portfolio
- Establish and maintain robust systems, processes, and controls that promote institutional integrity, mitigate compliance risk, and support effective oversight
Minimum Qualification:
Minimum Experience:
- A Master’s degree (NQF 9) in Information Technology or related fields
- A doctoral degree/PhD will be an added advantage
- 12 years relevant experience with a minimum of 5 years as an Executive in the ICT field
- A relevant project management or equivalent work experience
Experience:
- Digital strategy developmentEnterprise architectureData analytics and AICybersecurity governanceDigital platform developmentStakeholder management
Knowledge:
- A thorough understanding of NRF programmes and instruments
- Project management experience, demonstrating one’s ability to coordinate and implement business projects
- Experience managing people, demonstrating one’s ability to organise and manage teams, a crucial aspect of the most digital transformation projects
- Experience with digital tools or, more specifically, digital transformation, which shows that one has an aptitude for technology
- A track record of delivering significant change which improves business effectiveness in sustainable ways
- Ability to build strong relationships and communicate with a wide spectrum of stakeholders
- Strong conceptual skills with a demonstrated capacity for robust critical and creative thinking and analysis
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to influence and build relationships
- Experience in developing innovative solutions and contribute to strategic planning
- Capacity to work with people at all levels in an organization and with people from many cultural backgrounds
- Knowledge of customer data management and supporter journeys
- Excellent planning and time management skills
- Attention to detail
- Familiarity with ISO standards (such as ISO/IEC [Phone Number Removed];, and 42001) and NIST Requirements (e
- g
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework, 800-63, and AI Risk Management Framework)
- Ensure digital operations align with national and international governance frameworks including:a
- PFMAb
- POPIAc
- Cybercrimes Actd
- National Archives Acte
- DPSA ICT Governance Frameworkf
- ISO 27001g
- COBIT and ITIL best practicesh
- King V
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.
