Head: Hosting at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The primary purpose of this position is to ensure delivery of South Africa’s commitments in respect of hosting of the SKA telescope. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring the appropriate access to land, and new and existing assets and infrastructure in a radio frequency protected and environmentally sustainable environment to enable construction and operation of the SKA telescope.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensuring acquisition, through appropriate agreements, and long-term sustainable management of land to enable the construction and operation of the SKA telescope;Ensuring and enabling controlled and secure access to land, assets and infrastructure owned or managed by SARAO
• Acquisition of, and monitoring and evaluation of compliance with, all relevant permits, licenses and other approvals necessary to construct and operate the SKA, and other radio astronomy related projectsEnsuring a sustainable approach to hosting of the SKA in the Karoo, which shall include: the delivery of spatial planning functions for strategic decision making and enhanced organisational operations; and the delivery of sustainable land management practicesWorking with internal engineering resources, ensure delivery of capital assets and infrastructure, including buildings and data centre facilities, to the SKA Observatory for utilisation under appropriate agreement(s)Ensure the establishment and ongoing radio frequency protection of a radio astronomy reserve through appropriate national and international policy, legislation and regulations, and related activities that promote increased stakeholder buy-in and support
• Working with external government stakeholders to resolve blockages to construction and operation of radio astronomy projects in the Northern Cape;Collaboratively ensure delivery of strategic hosting projects and programmes in the Karoo; andProviding support to the Deputy Managing Director in matters related to hosting of the SKA in South Africa

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelors Degree / Advanced Diploma / NQF 7

Minimum Experience:

• 12-15 years

• Bachelors’ degree, preferably in an engineering, built-environment or public administration and related field, with necessary experience; ORNational diploma (or equivalent), preferably in an engineering, built-environment or public administration and related field, with necessary experience12 years’ experience, with 7 years’ in a similar management role (if Bachelor’s degree held); OR15 years’ experience with 7 years’ in a similar management role (if National Diploma, or equivalent, held)

Experience:

• Project managementEnvironmental managementSpectrum managementInfrastructure deliveryCost Management

Knowledge:

• Public sector supply chain management and the Public Finance Management Act, and an excellent understanding thereofGovernment legislation and regulatory requirements applicable to the construction sector (Occupational Health and Safety Act, Environmental Management Act, Construction Industry Development Board Act and regulations, National Water Act, Minerals & Petroleum Resources Development Act amongst others)Project management and project processes (i
• e
• System Engineering; configuration management; logistical support; Supply Chain Management

Additional Notes:
Ability to maintain excellent internal and external stakeholder relations whilst resolving conflicting stakeholder expectations and requirements Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, with an ability to relate to stakeholders at different occupational levels and different backgrounds Ability to work with South African government departments and processesAbility to manage multi-disciplinary teams and functions Ability to deliver large, complex projects with multiple internal and external stakeholders Ability to represent SARAO at national forms, as well as with public office bearersAbility to work independentlyExtremely professional with high personal and professional standardsHigh level of personal responsibility and accountabilityExcellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skillsExcellent organizational, planning and decision-making skillsThe 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) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT telescope in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.