Programme Manager

NRF / SARAO

Location: Cape Town, Western Cape

Job Level: Management

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 24 March 2022

About the position:

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.

The Radio Astronomy Instrumentation programmes tend to be large in terms of complexity, budget and scope, and run over timescales of years. Programme Managers are assigned to take overall responsibility for programmes and all the projects within a programme and need to be able to keep track of all aspects of the programme under their control. This Programme Manager will work with the rest of the engineering team, which includes Domain Experts, System Engineers and Project Managers to support execution of their work; and must make efficient use of support services like finance and supply chain to ensure acquisition processes run reliably.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Programme Managers need to be professional specialists with a high level of expertise, a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion in the specific programme/s they are responsible for, working to broad parameters and policy guidance.
  • Programmes that are managed will require planning and operations over a timescale of several years and these managers are therefore responsible for the structure and development of the programme/s they are responsible for.
  • Programme managers are required to ensure that projects under these programmes are effectively executed from inception through to fully functional handover to operations and are therefore required to set quality and professional standards and manage service delivery.
  • The work includes developing and implementing operational plans and contributing to the longer-term plans for the area to fit with broader organisational and NRF strategy by providing long-term input into the strategic plan for the engineering department.
  • Programmes managed are of strategic importance to the organization for an expected timescale of 20 or more years.
  • Liaise with international SKA consortia on programmes that are related to the SARAO programme under their control.
  • Implementation and management of activities in support of agreed to processes and procedures (including providing inputs and approval of Project/Programme Management Plans; System Engineering Management Plans, Quality Assurance Management Plans, Integrated Logistics Support Plans and Safety Plans).
  • Stakeholder coordination and management as required and agreed with the Head of Engineering (this includes the international SKA organisation, African partner countries and relevant state departments).
  • Define strategy and roadmap for current and future projects related to the programme/s under their control to ensure projects are managed cohesively in order to maximise the benefit to the organization in the short and long term.
  • Appoint and manage engineering consultants and other specialist consultants as and when required.
  • Contribute to the longer-term plans for the area to fit with organizational strategy by guiding technical solutions for current and future implementations.
  • Ultimately responsible for managing scope, schedule and budget for programmes in collaboration with other Programme Managers and the assistance of the Project Management Office.
  • Risk and Change Management.
  • Ultimately responsible for overall configuration management of programme/s

Key Requirements:
Qualification:

  • B.Eng/B.Sc (Hons) with 15+ years relevant experience; OR
  • M.Eng with 13+ years relevant experience; OR
  • Ph.D with 10+ years relevant experience
  • With either PMP (or equivalent) or Pr Eng or MBA

Experience:

  • Working on science related, engineering projects, that include a research and development component.
  • Proven history of delivering on large projects
  • Working in a multi-national project environment
  • Systems Engineering/ Product development processes
  • Configuration Management and Maintenance of Product Configuration
  • Production processes relevant to their functional area
  • Development and implementation of operational plans
  • Project management (extensive)
  • Writing technical proposals/documents
  • Developing and implementation of revised or new work methods, designs, policies and processes
  • Acting as chairman for PDR/CDRs on their programmes
  • Technical leadership

Knowledge:

  • Project and Programme Management (extensive)
  • Government procurement processes
  • Supplier Management
  • ISO9001 Quality System
  • Knowledge of national and international standards where applicable
  • Work methods, designs, policies and processes related to their program
  • Systems Engineering best practices

Additional Notes:

  • Formal management or project management qualification (eg. PgMP)
  • Proactive nature
  • Strong leadership qualities
  • Organised and systematic way of working
  • Documentation rigour
  • Focus on quality
  • Adherence to development processes and quality systems
  • Planning and time management
  • Display problem-solving skills
  • Display excellent interpersonal skills
  • Work independently as well as in a team environment
  • Experience in large science projects

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.

The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.

The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only.

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