SKA Mid – Deputy Site Manager

SKAO/NRF
Location: Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Job Level: Skilled / Middle Management
Type of employment: Long Term Contract
Period of Contract: 5 years
Closing date: 07 January 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 Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Telescope is an international effort by more than a dozen countries to build the world’s largest, most advanced radio telescopes in South Africa and Australia. Both South Africa and Australia are co-host members of the SKA Observatory (SKAO), a UK-based intergovernmental organisation responsible for the construction and operation of the SKA telescopes.
- The first phase of the SKA will consist of two telescopes:
- South Africa will host the mid-frequency telescope (SKA-Mid). SKA-Mid will comprise up to 197 dishes spread along spiral arms spanning 150 km in the Karoo, Northern Cape. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), a facility of the National Research Foundation, is responsible for managing all radio astronomy initiatives and facilities in South Africa, including the MeerKAT Radio Telescope, a precursor to the SKA telescope.
- Australia will host the SKA’s low-frequency telescope (SKA-Low). SKA-Low will comprise up to 131,072 antennas in clusters along spiral arms spanning 65 km at CSIRO’s Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) in WA.
The SKAO Deputy Site Manager will support the SKAO Site Manager with the daily execution of site construction management activities on the SKA site located in the Karoo and ensure that the work is governed by the South African Site Information & Site Instructions to Contractors.
Key Responsibilities:
- The Deputy Site Manager will form part of a small site management team led by the Site Construction Director who will coordinate SKA construction activities on site. The SKAO NEC Project Managers and Supervisors will be responsible for the management of the various construction contracts and the Site Management Team will work with the Contractors, Project Managers and Supervisors to ensure effective and efficient overall coordination.
- The Site Management Team will also work in close cooperation with the SARAO Site Management Team to coordinate with existing facilities and their ongoing concurrent operation on site and also with the local adjacent communities. The Deputy Manager shall ensure that the SKAO Brand, Values and reputation is upheld on site.
- The role will require full-time presence at the SKA Site in the Karoo with frequent travel to the Science Operations Centre in Cape Town and periodic travel to the GHQ in the United Kingdom, and less frequent possible travel to the other Telescope Host Country and elsewhere will also be expected. Line Management reporting will be to the SKAO Deputy Telescope Director Daily / functional reporting to the SKAO Site Manager.
Key Requirements:
Qualification:
- Degree in Engineering or Construction Management or a closely related field with a minimum of 5 years’ site management experience
or - National Diploma (or equivalent) in Engineering or Construction Management or a closely related field with a minimum of 10 years’ site management experience
Experience:
- A proven track record of being part of a team managing a construction site to successfully deliver complex engineering / construction projects in a multi-disciplinary setting
- Demonstrated ability in managing overlapping constraints and jurisdictions for construction on site;
- A demonstrated ability to manage strict time schedules and evolving priorities in terms of the delivery of a construction project on site;
- Evidence of an ability to build relationships, work collaboratively and manage complex professional relationships with geographically dispersed teams
- Construction / Site Management
- Proven track record in managing staff and contractors on construction sites
Knowledge:
- Project processes
Additional Notes:
Ability to:
- Provide the required management, support and coordination on site
- Solve problems and resolve conflict
- Ability to operate alone and within a team under pressure
- Ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders
- Self-motivating with a positive attitude
- Ability to learn new software packages used during construction (e.g. eB, CEMAR)
Desirable additional education, work exp. & personal qualities:
- Registration with a Professional Council (e.g. ECSA, SACPMP)
- Demonstrated knowledge of the South African construction industry legislation and regulations;
Good understanding of the South African government legislation (PPPFA, PFMA, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Environmental Management Act, Construction Industry regulations, National Water Act, Minerals & Petroleum Resources Development Act amongst others) - Experience in supporting and mentoring teams
- Valid Code 8 Driver’s licence
- Fluent in the English language with excellent oral and written communication skills
- Fluent in the Afrikaans language with excellent oral and written communication skills (stakeholder engagement)
- Understanding of contracts
- Experience in site management of construction projects in Southern Africa
- Experience with project management tools such as Primavera or Microsoft Project and with collaboration tools such as Confluence, Jira, G-Suite, Miro etc.
- Familiarity with the formalism for, and requirements of, quality control environments such as ISO9001
- Familiarity with local site conditions which includes local community and socio-economic initiatives
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.