Talent Acquisition Specialist at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The NRF-SAEON seeks to appoint a Talent Acquisition Specialist on a short-term contract (6-12 Months) to manage the recruitment projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for various positions
• Coordinate with Line Managers to identify staffing needs
• Forecast quarterly and annual hiring needs by department
• Determine selection criteria
• Source potential candidates through online channels (e
• g
• social platforms and professional networks)
• Plan interview and selection procedures, including screening calls, assessments, and in-person interviews
• Assess candidate information, including resumes and contact details, using our Applicant Tracking System
• Design job descriptions and interview questions that reflect each position’s requirements
• Lead employer branding initiatives
• Organize and attend job fairs and recruitment events
• Foster long-term relationships with past applicants and potential candidate
• Develop collaborative working relationships and act as a trusted partner to line managers, providing advice, coaching, and support
• Liaise with line managers and committees before recruitment to gather details needed for requisitions, job descriptions, adverts, pre-screening, interviews, and other selection techniques
• Create and manage positions on Symplexity
• Draft engaging adverts and advertise roles on the NRF Recruitment portal
• Coordinate and schedule interviews; facilitate candidate assessments and evaluations
• Sit on shortlisting and interview panels as required
• Advise managers to follow a fair, robust, and inclusive process to secure the best and diverse talent
• Maintain clear and timely communication with candidates throughout the recruitment process, providing updates and feedback as appropriate
• Ensure reference checks, background checks, and required assessments have been conducted
• Prepare the application recommendation and interview reports
• Prepare offer letters and employment contracts
• Regretting unsuccessful job applications on ESS
• Collaborate with the HR team to ensure a smooth and efficient onboarding process for new hires
• Continuously evaluate and improve recruitment processes and strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
• Ensure all recruitment activities comply with legal requirements and NRF SAEON policies

Minimum Qualification:

• Diploma / Advanced Certificate / NQF 6

Minimum Experience:

• 4-5 years

• NQF level 6 in HR or related field
• NQF level 7 in HR or related will be an added advantage

Experience:

• 4 - 5 years’ recruitment experience at various job levels / Proven work experience as a Talent Acquisition Specialist or similar role
• Hands-on experience with full-cycle recruiting using various interview techniques and evaluation methods
• A keen understanding of the differences between various roles within organizations

Knowledge:

• Understand hiring manager needs
• Work collaboratively and build partnerships
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to interact with a wide range of stakeholders

Additional Notes:
Excellent engagement [URL Removed] level of discretion in handling sensitive candidate and company [URL Removed] with Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook).Excellent verbal and written communication [URL Removed] with social media, resume databases, and professional [URL Removed] [URL Removed] 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 South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) is a research platform funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF). SAEON is mandated to establish and manage long-term environmental observatories; maintain reliable long-term environmental data sets; promote access to data for research and/or informed decision-making; and contribute to capacity building. This is a pivotal role that People and Culture play in enabling the line of business to drive its projects. e.g.NRF-SAEON hosts 3 RI’s that are part of the SARIR program, namely, SMCRI, SAPRI & EFTEON.