Head: Hosting

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.

Purpose:

To ensure delivery of South Africa􀂷s commitments in respect of hosting of the SKA telescope.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensuring the acquisition, through appropriate agreements, and long-term management of land to enable the construction and operation of the SKA telescope.
• Ensuring secured access to land owned or managed by SARAO.
• Acquisition of all relevant permits, licenses and other approvals necessary to construct and operate the SKA in the Northern Cape Province.
• Working in consultation with other stakeholders, implementing appropriate mechanisms and systems to enable monitoring and evaluation of compliance with all relevant permits, licenses and approvals.
• Ensuring a sustainable approach to hosting of the SKA in the Karoo, which shall include: the delivery of spatial planning functions for strategic decision making and enhanced organisational operations; and the delivery of sustainable land management practices.
• Ensure delivery of defined assets and infrastructure, including buildings and data processing centres, to the SKA Observatory for utilisation under appropriate agreement(s).
• Ensure the establishment and ongoing radio frequency protection of a radio astronomy reserve through appropriate national and international policy, legislation and regulations, and related activities that promote increased stakeholder buy-in and support.
• Maintain excellent internal and external stakeholder relations whilst resolving conflicting stakeholder expectations and requirements.
• Providing support to the Deputy Managing Director in matters related to the hosting the SKA in South Africa.

Key Requirements:
Qualification:

• Bachelors’ degree in an engineering, built-environment or public administration related field + 12 years’ experience with 7 years’ in a similar management role OR
• National diploma in an engineering, built-environment or public administration related field + 15 years’ experience with 7 years’ in a similar management role
• Post-graduate degree will be advantageous

Experience:

• Public sector supply chain management and the Public Finance Management Act, and an excellent understanding thereof
• Government legislation and regulatory requirements applicable to the construction sector (Occupational Health and Safety Act, Environmental Management Act, Construction Industry Development Board Act and regulations, National Water Act, Minerals & Petroleum Resources Development Act amongst others), and a good understanding thereof
• Working with South African government departments and processes
• Infrastructure delivery
• Project management and project processes (i.e. System Engineering; configuration management; logistical support; Supply Chain Management);
• Working with the telecommunication and/or spectrum management sector

Knowledge:

• Project management
• System engineering and acquisition management
• Environmental management
• Contract management
• Spectrum management

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Additional Notes:

• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, with an ability to relate to stakeholders at different occupational levels and different backgrounds
• Fluent in English and Afrikaans, both written and spoken
• Excellent report writing skills
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent organizational, planning and decision-making skills
• Ability to work independently
• Extremely professional with high personal and professional standards
• Sound computer literacy skills, including demonstrable competence in word processing and spreadsheets

Information:
The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.

Applications:
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by logging to https://ess.nrf.ac.za/Account/Recruitment and apply online. 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.

About The Employer

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.

As a business unit of the NRF, SARAO is committed to employment equity and redress

SARAO reserves the right to amend and/or withdraw adverts at any time without notification.