Senior Manager: Communications & Stakeholder Relations at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
This position, working closely with the SARAO Deputy Managing Director, as well as the relevant communications and science engagement functionaries within the broader NRF environment, is responsible for developing and directing the successful execution of SARAO’s communications portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensuring the design and delivery of effective internal and external communications and communication platforms to ensure positive stakeholder sentiment, awareness and engagement towards radio astronomy and NRF/SARAODesign and delivery of public science engagement programs and activities to ensure an informed and supportive stakeholder communityEnsuring the design and delivery of an effective stakeholder management function, and strategic interventions, to establish and maintain a positive ‘social license to operate’ for radio astronomy investments and activities, particularly in the Karoo region of South Africa where both the MeerKAT and SKA-MID telescopes are located

Minimum Qualification:

• Honours Degree / Post Graduate Qualification / Professional Qualification / NQF 8

Minimum Experience:

• 8-8 years

• Honours Degree in Science Journalism, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or related field

Experience:

• 8 years of communications and science engagement experience, 3 years of which should be in a senior management role

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive understanding of the STEM structures in South Africa, and to a less extent elsewhere in AfricaComprehensive understanding of science communication structures in South Africa, and internationallySome understanding of radio astronomy science and engineeringUnderstanding of public, private and government communication channels and stakeholders

Additional Notes:
Additional Experience in the following would be an advantage:Science communicationStakeholder managementGovernment communicationsCrisis communications managementRural economic developmentCreative designAbility/Personal attributesStrong leadership skillsExcellent communications and inter-personal skillsStrong negotiation and problem solving skillsExcellent writing and editing skillsExcellent stakeholder management skillsGood risk management skillsExcellent analytical skillsAbility to understand and synthesise information from a complex stakeholder environmentAbility to conceptualise and implement relevant communication strategiesAbility to operate with minimal supervisionHighly creativeAbility to represent SARAO in external forums and specialist discussionsAbility to work under pressure and manage a variety of tasks simultaneouslyAbility to easily engage with all internal and external stakeholdersAbility to articulate complex information in a simple a communicable form to the general publicAbility to work with a wide range of stakeholdersThe 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.