Manager: Repatriation and Restitution Office (RRO) at South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra)

About the position

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To coordinate and manage at a national and international level operations of the Repatriation and Restitution Office as it informed by the National Policy on Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects and as it relates to the identification, conservation, protection and promotion of South Africa's heritage resources in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act, No 25 of 1999.

The total cost of salary per annum is R636 607.

The closing date for applications will be Wednesday, 31 August 2022.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:
KPA 1: Planning, Management, and Reporting on RRO Operations.
KPA 2: Research and Coordination of RRO Projects.
KPA 3: Stakeholder Engagement Locally and Internationally.
KPA 4: People Management.
KPA 5: Financial Management.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:
Planning, Management, and Reporting of RRO Operations:

• In line with NHRA, National Policy on Repatriation; Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects, and SAHRA Strategy, plan and execute operations of the RRO.
• Report on all RRO Operation internally within SAHRA; and its strategic partners as needed.
• Coordinate and convene meetings of the Repatriation and Restitution Advisory Committee of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) in liaison with relevant partners.
• Provide secretariat and logistical support to the Advisory Committee in liaison with relevant partners.
• Provide professional guidance to the public and relevant stakeholders (including families and various institutions) on matters relating to repatriation and restitution of human remains and heritage objects.
• Liaise internally with other SAHRA's Heritage Resources Management (HRM) Units to ensure effectiveness of synergies across heritage resources management teams.

Research and Coordination of RRO Projects:

• With relevant stakeholders, plan and manage progress on RRO programmes and projects.
• Engage with research institutions and cultural institutions on matters relating to repatriation and restitution of human remains, and heritages objects.
• Identify and coordinate community programmes in relation to RRO processes and activities.
• Ensure effective reporting on community programmes and provide feedback to various RRO stakeholders.
• Attend both national, regional and international conferences in matters relating to repatriation and restitution of human remains and heritage objects.
• Identify and organise research-informed stakeholders consultation sessions to further inclusivity of stakeholders in RRO processes and projects.
• Involving relevant stakeholders, proactively identify, and develop project plans with clear scope, timeframes, resources and milestones.

Stakeholder Engagement Locally and Internationally:

• Coordinate engagement workshops/consultation session with the affected and/or interested stakeholders, especially families and institutions directly affected by the repatriation and restitution processes.
• Develop a research-based repatriation and restitution communication strategy
• Develop and implement effective strategies for the comprehensive identification of stakeholders in RR programmes and projects.
• Develop and maintain effective stakeholder database(s) using SAHRIS.
• Proactively engage relevant stakeholders in undertaking the repatriation and restitution projects within the context of application legislative frameworks; and principles.

People Management:

• Oversee responsibilities of the RRO Team for various tasks and projects.
• Manage and monitor projects implementing partnerships agreements (IPAs)
• Provide support and facilitate the enabling environment for effective functioning of the RRO, and its implementing partners.
• Implement necessary interventions to ensure effectiveness of the RRO
• Manage employee relations within RRO and with its stakeholders.

Financial Management:

• Ensure effective, responsible, and transparent use of the RRO financial resources.
• Manage costs and expenditure against budget of the Unit.
• Manage costs and expenditure of project funds.
• Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, and within budget.
• Manage operational budgetary risks related to RRO processes.

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 an Honours Degree in History / Heritage related field is considered.
• Minimum of 3 years working experience in at managerial role;
• Minimum 5 years working experience in heritage sector with evidence of stakeholder and community engagements; and experience in managing projects involve communities locally.
• Experience stakeholder liason at a regional and international scope would be added advantage.

Other skills required:
Stakeholder Engagement/ Liaison/ coordination.
Knowledge and practical application of heritage legislation and other related legislative frameworks.
Strategy planning and implementing.
Operational Planning and Reporting.
Understanding and experience of serving in public service.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyse, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to plan and coordinate stakeholder engagement sessions. respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

NUMERICALSKILLS:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

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

Computer Skill:
Computer literacy with regard to the use of Excel, Word and Power Point, as well as understanding and reasonable application of Geographical Information Systems, and sites mapping.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is:

• Regularly required to stand.
• Regularly required to lift and carry weights (books and other materials).
• Regularly required to sit.
• Often to talk and hear.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Desired Skills:

• Heritage and History
• Indigenous knowledge system
• Heritage Legislation
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Community Engagement
• Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains
• Policy implementation
• Research
• Repatriation and Restitution of Human Objects

Desired Qualification Level:

• Honours