Vacant Post – Program Manager

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. Our Programme Managers define and manage project portfolios, solving problems of significant business impact for the SARAO. This Programme Manager will work with the rest of the engineering team, which includes Domain Experts, System Engineers and Project Managers to support the 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:
* Program Managers need to be professional specialists with a significant level of expertise, exercising independent professional responsibility and discretion in the specific program they are responsible for.
* Work will require professional expertise and/or experience to develop and implement revised or new administrative/technical/professional policies and processes in order to manage the program they are responsible for effectively.
* Programs that are managed will require planning and operations over a timescale of years and these managers are therefore responsible for the structure and development of the program they are responsible for.
* Program managers are required to ensure that projects under these programs 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 implementing operational plans and contributing to the longer-term plans for the area to fit with broader organizational and NRF strategy by providing medium-term input into the strategic plan for the engineering department.
* Programs managed are of strategic importance to the organisation for an expected timescale of 5 or more years.
* Liaise with international SKA consortia on programs that are related to the SARAO program under their control.
* Implementation and management of activities in support of agreed to processes and procedures (including providing inputs and approval of Project/Program Management Plans, Quality Assurance Management Plans and Safety Plans)
* Stakeholder coordination and management as required and agreed with the Head of Engineering (this includes the international SKA organisation and other international partners, African partner countries and relevant state departments).
* Define strategy and roadmap for current and future projects related to the program under their control to ensure projects are managed cohesively in order to maximise the benefit to the organization in the short and medium term.
* Ensure all program documentation is complete, up-to-date, and easily accessible to project team members and stakeholders, with a focus on attention to detail and organisation.
* Implement communications standards across a portfolio of projects including executive and key partner communications.
* Appoint and manage engineering consultants and other specialist consultants as and when required.
* Ultimately responsible for managing the schedule and budget for programs with the assistance of Project Managers and the project management office
* Risk and Change Management.

Key Requirements:
Qualification:
* Btech (Eng.) with 13+years relevant experience; OR
* B.Eng with 9+ years relevant experience; OR
* M.Eng with 7+ years relevant experience; OR
* Ph.D (Eng.) with 5+ years relevant experience AND
* With either PMP (or equivalent) or Pr Eng or MBA

Experience:
* Working on science-related projects
* Proven history of delivering on large projects
* 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
* Writing technical proposals/documents
* Developing and implementing revised or new work methods, designs, policies and processes
* Acting as chairman for PDR/CDRs on their programmes

Knowledge:
* Project and Programme Management
* 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:
* Proactiveness
* Strong leadership qualities
* Organised and systematic way of working
* Focus on quality
* Documentation rigour, quality and maintaining configuration
* Adherence to development processes and quality systems, leading a governance structure that drives effective executive decisionmaking
* Planning and time management
* Display problem-solving skills
* Display excellent interpersonal skills. (developing operational relationships with internal and external customers while demonstrating the right level of empathy and understanding)
* Work independently as well as in a team environment

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.

Closing Date: 09 May 2023
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