SKA Mid – HR Lead

Job level: Management
Work location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 21 August 2022

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.

Purpose

The SKA Mid HR Lead will have extensive generalist experience to lead the operational delivery of HR activities for the SARAO staff involved in the SKA Mid collaboration and will form a critical link between the SKAO and SARAO teams to implement their respective HR Strategies. These activities include but are not limited to: recruitment; on boarding and induction; change management; performance management; learning and development initiatives; dealing with issues at work; and coaching and development of people and leaders. In addition, the SKA Mid HR Lead will lead and implement projects as directed by the SKA Mid Telescope Director, in line with SKAO organisational needs. The successful candidate will also work as a core part of the wider SKAO and SARAO HR teams, led by their respective Head of HR. Due to the current stage of the SKA Mid project the SKA Mid HR Lead role will initially involve a relatively high level of supporting leaders with recruitment, specifically, the initial stages of the recruitment process.

Key responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues in SARAO and SKAO to ensure delivery relating to employee recruitment, placement, training, promotion, compensation, and employee management relations or other areas of personnel policy.
• Work with the SKAO-employed HR Lead to provide a responsive, effective and innovative HR service for the SKAO/SARAO collaboration.
• Advise the Telescope Director on implementing the local workforce plan and local attraction and recruitment strategy for SARAO employed staff.
• Assists in resolving disputes by administering interactions between union, employer or other parties subject to the NRF conditions of employment.
• Analyse the skills requirements within the collaboration and coordinate the execution of the personal development plans of employees and monitor the implementation of the workplace skills plan and reports accordingly.
• Provide individuals and groups with information about career choices and assists individuals with self-development.
• Advise individuals on employment opportunities, career choices and further education or training that may be desirable.

Key requirements:
Qualification:

• Professionally qualified with a Bachelor’s Degree/BTech in Human Resources / Industrial Psychology / Social Science

Experience:

• Seven years’ experience of providing substantial expert and generalist HR advice across the whole employment lifecycle that is consistent, accurate and considered.
• Authoritative knowledge of the work practices, processes and procedures relevant to HR, including a broader awareness of high-tech organisations.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of systems and services related to HR and their varied applications.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Learning agility.
• Extremely well planned, organised and have a high attention to detail.
• Proven communication, influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Proven strengths in working collaboratively across geographical and cultural boundaries, with experience contributing to an inclusive and respectful culture.

Desirable

• Awareness of the current and future activities of the SKAO and SARAO.
• Experience in high-tech organisations.
• Project management skills gained through previous experience.

Knowledge:

Client Service and Support

• Apply specialist expertise and use judgement to make decisions where solutions are not obvious, to deliver professional services to meet the client requirements.
• Generate original ideas and innovative solutions through the provision of specialist knowledge and advice as appropriate.
• Identify additional service requirements or service shortfalls and co-ordinate the delivery of innovative solutions to maximise service quality, efficiency and continuity.
• Ensure professional and quality service standards are maintained and applied within their area of activity.

Analysis and Reporting

• Advise on the analysis and interpretation of data, identify trends and test solutions, source additional related information where appropriate, and report on progress, to support the resolution of issues/problems.
• Manage, monitor and maintain records to meet both internal and external (e.g. legislative) requirements.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise individual with an appreciation of longer-term issues, ensuring plans complement and feed into the broader annual operational plans of the collaboration.

Finance/Resource Management

• Monitor resources within HR activities to ensure maximum value is delivered for resources deployed.
• Contribute to resource and budget planning within own area.
• Take appropriate responsibility for the delivery of work to deadlines and agreed standards.

Relationships and Contacts

• Be up to date on technical HR knowledge, including employment law and best practice developments in HR
• Contact with other areas of the collaboration to develop new and improved processes and supporting systems.
• Maintain external links with professional or specialist HR bodies or groups.

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.