Director Institute for Coastal and Marine Research

No applications will be accepted after the closing date (25 March 2022). Nelson Mandela University reserves the right not to make an appointment. In considering candidates for appointment into the advertised posts, preference will be accorded to persons from a designated group in accordance with the approved Nelson Mandela University Employment Equity Plan.

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

The CMR Director is to provide overall leadership and vision to the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR), a leading transdisciplinary ocean and coastal sciences institute. The director contributes to growing the research capacity of the institute by leading strategic cutting-edge research projects and developing multi-institutional collaborations, to advance the understanding of the coastal and marine environment, while serving the needs of South Africa, the African continent, and beyond, in a sustainable manner

The Director assumes responsibility for all CMR initiatives and activities, and reports directly to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation (DVC: RII).

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Leads the development of strategic transdisciplinary project and funding proposals, considering the Ocean Sciences Strategy and Nelson Mandela University Institutional Research Themes.

• Strategic thinking, planning and execution of initiatives to support the growth of the CMR in line with the Ocean Sciences Strategy, as well as global environmental issues.

• Engagement with internal and external stakeholders (including international partners) to build the CMR and University national and international profile and reputation.

• Development and expansion of CMR membership according to key research gaps and knowledge fields, including attracting Research Associates and Professors.

• Ensures that the CMR complies to its Vision, Mission, Values, Objectives, Goals and Targets. Assumes responsibility for the process of updating these as the CMR grows.

• Ensures that set Research, Training and Consulting Activities take place aligned with Institutional Research Themes.

• Ensures that the following engagement takes place through the CMR: 1) Engagement through community interaction, service and outreach; 2) Engagement through teaching and learning; 3) Engagement through profession/discipline-based service provision; and 4) Engagement through research and scholarship.

• Leads and facilitates the development of official Nelson Mandela University Short Learning Programmes under the CMR in key/critical expert fields, to contribute towards skills development.

• Liaises and provides strategic input to the DVC: RII and various other Nelson Mandela University Senior and Executive Management (including the Office for Research Support and Management, Ocean Sciences Task Team, Office for Institutional Strategy, Faculty Deans, Legal Services, amongst others).

• Formally reports on all CMR research and consulting projects, initiatives, activities and outputs to the CMR Management Committee, CMR Advisory Board, and DVC: RII. Assists the DVC: RII, who Chairs the CMR Advisory Board, with Advisory Board-specific matters. Chair the CMR Management Committee, which guides the running of the Institute and represents wider membership.

• Hosts and supports Ocean Sciences-linked Research Chairs to allow the fulfilment of their aims, goals and objectives.

• Secures funding for CMR Office Team staff member salaries. Leads the process of new recruitment, when necessary, for CMR projects or the CMR Office Team.

• Provides support to the CMR Office Team, staff members and to the overall extensive CMR membership (which includes internal and external, local and international stakeholders).

No applications will be accepted after the closing date (25 March 2022). Nelson Mandela University reserves the right not to make an appointment. In considering candidates for appointment into the advertised posts, preference will be accorded to persons from a designated group in accordance with the approved Nelson Mandela University Employment Equity Plan.