Heritage Officer at South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA)

About the position

Position: Heritage Officer.
Unit: Burial Grounds and Graves (BGG).
Location: Pretoria.
Annual basic salary = R277 983.00. and benefits.
Closing date: Tuesday, 27 June 2023 at 5PM (close of business).

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
Conservation of graves as covered by the National Heritage Resources Act 25 (1999) through the construction of memorials.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:
KPA 1: Identification of graves for rehabilitation.
KPA 2: Stakeholder Engagement.
KPA 3: Research.
KPA 4: Assisting in Policy Development.

Key Performance Areas (KPA's):
Identification graves for rehabilitation both locally and internationally including those identified by the President or Minister:

• Conduct site visits and gather data of the identified site/s.
• Periodic monitoring of sites connected to Victims of Conflict as defined by the Act.
• Assist in the Identification and restoration of graves.
• Assist with gathering coordinates and site information.
• Provide and process information through compilation of dossiers for declaration of BGG sites as National Heritage sites.
• Undertake Assessment of Concentration Camps and prioritize recommendations those in need for rehabilitation in all provinces.
• Assist the unit in formulating specifications for the construction of memorials.
• Monitor Construction/ Erection of Memorials commissioned by BGG.
• Ensure that service providers comply with Terms of Reference during the construction of memorials.
• Collaborate with other units within SAHRA in conserving graves.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Assist with obtaining consent forms from families.
• Assist in Public participation meetings.
• Liaise with Heritage bodies.
• Engage with the community via meetings and other platforms as an ongoing engagement.
• Identify gaps and initiate contact with interested and affected parties.
• Assist in Consulting Provincial heritage resources authorities and provincial government.
• Respond to queries.
• Create awareness and provide input on heritage issues to inter-governmental departments.
• Co-ordinate multi-stakeholder processes for the effective and efficient protection, and management of heritage resources.
• Generate and disseminate the information on heritage resources for exhibitions and outreach programmes in the public domain.

Research:

• Conduct background research on declarations and identified graves for memorials.
• Work with other employees in the unit to produce at least one research paper.
• Conduct historical mapping.
• Keep updated with current trends and changes within the wider heritage sector.
• Provide data to Marketing for brochures/flyers.

Assisting in Policy Development:

• Participate and inform the development of policy.
• Assist in the development of new policies and guidelines based on changes in the heritage sector.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
At least a 3-year bachelor's degree or equivalent in a heritage related field, History, Anthropology or Archaeology.
Minimum of 3 years' work experience in a heritage related industry with a good understanding of South African history.

Other skills required:
Heritage Conservation management.
Heritage Legislation.
People Management Skills.
Problem Solving Skills.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyse, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

NUMERICAL SKILLS:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LICENSES:
A valid Code EB (08) driver's licence.

Desired Skills:

• History
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Heritage Conservation management
• Heritage Legislation

Desired Qualification Level:

• Degree