Managing Director: Environmental Science (5-year FTC)

Key Performance Areas:

• Ensure that the organization develops and maintains an ecosystem of information management platforms that will promote scientific synthesis and decision support for effective environmental stewardship and sustainable development at all levels of society.
• Position the organization for effective evidence-based science advocacy, science diplomacy and impactful science-policy interlocution
• Promote an Engaged Research approach by the organization through the co-creation of research agendas and co-generation of knowledge with the community, where appropriate
• Guide and perform continuous organizational strategy and business model development, implementation, and evaluation in the context of national policies.
• Guide, develop and coach the management team as well as inspire employees to achieve the organization’s strategic objectives
• Be the authentic custodian and champion of organizational culture and values
• Develop and enhance the organization’s capacity to assume national and international leadership roles within the scope of the organization
• Drive a performance culture within the organization by continuously monitoring and assessing organizational progress against qualitative and quantitative targets and troubleshooting internal and external systemic bottlenecks.
• Ensure that the organization is effectively positioned to drive an impactful Science Engagement programme.
• Balance core operations and organizational priorities with the statutory and contractual obligations of delivering to key government and other stakeholders
• Provide effective stewardship of the organization’s financial resources in accordance with PFMA requirements and Financial Policies and processes.
• Oversee the Human Resources and Talent Management of employees including recruitment, training & development, employee relations, diversity & inclusion, performance management, and succession planning.
• Ensure that the procurement activities and processes of the organization are compliant with PPPFA requirements and the procurement and supply chain policies / procedures
• Take accountability for upholding Safety/Health/Environment and Risk Management processes and standards to ensure efficient and effective operations
• Oversee the management of fixed and moveable assets including buildings, land, off-road vehicles, vessels, aircraft and research equipment in accordance with policies and procedures
• Lead and take accountability for the fulfilment of the organization’s quarterly, annual and longer-term planning and reporting obligations in accordance with the organization’s prescribed cycles and processes.
• Serve on the organization’s corporate and stakeholder structures as appropriate
• Contribute constructively into corporate and national plans, documents and policies
• Promote efficient and effective data stewardship, knowledge management, reporting and accountability within the organization
• Promote inter-business unit collaborations and partnership to advance innovation, drive organizational transformation, enhance impact and forge sustainability
• Participate in and/or lead Corporate strategic initiatives, tasks or projects as may be required
• Oversee the implementation of, and compliance with, various corporate policies as well as statutes and regulations applicable to the organization.
• Stakeholder relations, communications, and organizational reputation building
• Grow the organizational network through collaborative partnerships and strategic initiatives with global and local organizations and initiatives
• Develop the organization’s capacity to deliver a broad range of environmental ecosystem monitoring and research services to address the environmental management information needs of public and private clients
• Oversee an effective and strategic communications programme including strategic use of social media to enhance the organization’s reputation.
• Act as official organizational spokesperson and the key organizational reputation architect and manager

Key Requirements:

• A Research-based Doctorate with Environmental Science, Ecosystems and/or Earth Science/Systems relevance Experience:
• 10 years’ experience as an Environmental/ Earth/ Ecosystems scientist/ science manager in South Africa and a demonstrable record of scholarly accomplishment.
• At least 5 years’ experience in senior general science leadership and management of a large entity inclusive of organisational strategy development, financial and procurement oversight in a public sector context and experience in managing other managers.
• A qualification in management sciences and a broad disciplinary involvement across environmental systems will be a bonus.
• Highly skilled in decision-making, strategic thinking, interpersonal, stress and time management, operational management of distributed environmental research infrastructures, planning/organisation, transformation programmes, coaching and talent management, financial management, communications and reputation management, risk management, performance management, conflict management, public speaking, and diversity management.