Senior Manager: Strategic Partnerships & Networks at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The National Research Foundation (NRF) seeks to make an appointment for the position of Senior Manager: Strategic Partnerships & Networks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Formulating and reviewing macro-organisational partnership and resource mobilisation strategy, policy and implementation plansLeading the development of organisational partnerships, strategies, policy and implementation plans
• Contributing to the resource mobilisation strategy formulation and implementation for NRF
• Drive and harmonise the macro-organisational strategic partnership managementPositioning the NRF as a partner of choice through strategic engagements
• Leading development and coordination of strategic networks and initiatives
• Providing strategic input and advice to the CEO and Board on the formulation of divisional budgets and forecasts
• Leading the formulation of annual budgets on behalf of the division for CEO approval
• Overseeing the division’s relevant cost centres/budget to ensure alignment to the organisation’s revenue and efficiency objectives
• Ensuring the costs are contained while maintaining high levels of impact and performanceManaging and lead the business unit by providing clarity of vision; prioritising resources; facilitating alignment of the team; setting high expectations; inspiring commitment; encouraging mutual support; and enabling development opportunities
• Proactively managing all direct reports in order to ensure that the strategic objectives for the business unit are achieved
• Maintaining excellent human capital performance through employee engagement, empowerment, skills development and retention and succession planning within the business unit

Minimum Qualification:

• Doctoral Degree / NQF 10

Minimum Experience:

• 9-10 years

• A Doctoral degree Post graduate Leadership or Executive Management qualification will be an added advantage

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ senior managerial/ leadership experience, of which at least eight years should be in senior management in a research environment (science councils, foundation, industry or government);Demonstrated evidence of resource mobilisation with government, foundations and private sector at national and international level
• Demonstrated ability to work within a complex, international, interdisciplinary and multicultural environments
• Evidence of initiating partnerships with national and international stakeholders
• Extensive experience in a research-related environment
• Proven ability to innovate and develop new partnership programmes

Knowledge:

• Sound understanding of National System of Innovation and international Science technology & innovation (STI) including but not limited to, science councils, UN systems & foundations
• Research management and administration experience;Understanding of international intergovernmental partner organizations and processes
• High-level representation experience with major national and international scientific bodies
• Academic experience with regard to the research endeavour
• Demonstrated ability to work within a complex, international, interdisciplinary and multicultural environment
• Resources mobilisation and networks is STI Skills and CompetenciesProven ability to write and present executive level communication effectively
• Strong Leadership skills, business acumen, strategy formulation, stakeholder engagement, diplomatic communication and complexity management
• Inspirational people leadership
• Leading institutional change effectively
• Driving execution
• Cross functional influence without line authority (sapiential power)
• Persuasion through logic
• Managing national and international relations
• Ability to execute, network, liaise and negotiate
• Responsibility at senior level
• Ability to work in a matrix management environment

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) is established by an Act of Parliament and mandated to contribute to national development by supporting, promoting and advancing research and human capacity development, through funding and the provision of the necessary research infrastructure, in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including humanities, social sciences and indigenous knowledge; and supporting and promoting public awareness of, and engagement with science. The NRF is a well-established organisation that is highly networked within the National Science System, and internationally. It is the principal organisation responsible for the promotion of the national research enterprise and is the primary public funder of postgraduate students and researchers as well as a provider of research infrastructure in the country. It has well-developed, best practice research evaluation, grant funding and support systems.