Liaison Officer at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The National Research Foundation (NRF) seeks to make an appointment for the position of 2 x Liaison Officers who will report to the Public Engagement Platforms Manager: SAASTA, within Research, Innovation and Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA) at the business unit, SAASTA. The position will be based at NRF RIISA business unit: SAASTA in Pretoria CBD. In terms of the employment equity, the preferred candidate will be males (African, Indian or Coloured).

Key Responsibilities:

• Duties will include but are not limited to: Supporting the coordination of the national science engagement Administering the identification of a scientific concept for a science engagement programmes Administering the access of content specialists’ and process their involvement Support the overseeing of the idea development process Work with the content specialists and knowledge intermediaries in science engagement Support the overseeing of the programme delivery Support the coordination of the cluster programme Participate in the science engagement events Administering the technical advice to science centres programme development Collect, collate, evaluate and report on the data collected Budget Management :Monitor the expenses in line with the budget allocated Ensure effective utilization of cluster resources Ensure compliance to policies and treasury regulations Input to the department’s procurement and demand plan Input to the department’s grant plan Participate in the development of terms of reference for funding and tenders Participate in the evaluation of funding and tender proposals Provide technical advice to the potential grant holders Participate in the specifications committees and evaluation committees for funding and tenders Stakeholder Engagement:Resolve stakeholders’ queries as they emerge where necessary elevate to the cluster coordinator Maintain databases of stakeholders Provide technical advice to stakeholders Overall coordination of the stakeholders Engage with internal and external stakeholders on matters of common interest Maintain good stakeholder relations Participate in meetings of stakeholders groupings Monitoring, Support and Reporting:Identify possible risks and propose mitigation factors Prepare and compile quarterly reports Distribute and collect data on correct templates for monitoring, and reporting

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelors Degree / Advanced Diploma / NQF 7

Minimum Experience:

• 3-6 years

• (NQF Level 7) in STEM professionThree (3) year work experience Valid driver’s license

Experience:

• Three (3) year work experience in science engagement coordination and stakeholder management

Knowledge:

• Content knowledge science engagement

Additional Notes:
Skills and Attributes:Computer literateData collection for report writingPlanning and organizationalStakeholder and network managementFinancial managementProject ManagementFramework of network of science centersComputer literateContent knowledge in the relevant subject matterPlanning and organizationalThe NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal. 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.

Desired Skills:

• Skilled in applied field of position
• Knowledge to be relevant
• Responsible in performing duties

About The Employer:

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is a government mandated research and science development agency established through the National Research Foundation Act (Act No. 23 of 1998). The agency supports and promotes research and human capital development through innovative grant funding and partnerships, the provision of National Research Facilities and science engagement platforms, and supporting and promoting public awareness of science to the broader community, in all fields of science and technology, including natural science, engineering, social science and humanities. The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) is a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF) with the mandate to advance public awareness, appreciation and engagement of science, engineering, innovation and technology in South Africa and has been appointed by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation to be the national coordinator for Science Engagement in South Africa.