About the position
Postion Summary:
The National Research Foundation (NRF) seeks to make an appointment for two positions of Professional Officer: Thematic Research Support and Advancement within the Research, Innovation and Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA). Reporting to the Manager: Rating and Awards, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting and assisting the Manager in the end-to-end development and implementation of a portfolio of activities such as those required by the Rating and Awards directorate.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the drafting of Call documents, coordinate and participate in review and evaluation meetings, consolidate meeting outcomes, communicate outcomes to the research community and provide quality feedback to applicants
- Contribute to a reliable, updated, informative, user-friendly database of high-quality reviewers for the department
- Oversee the end-to-end grant administration activities, including call provisioning and call for proposals; proposal screening, proposal review and evaluation; grants awarding, grant releasing and expenditure monitoringPlan, manage, coordinate & implement peer review as well as monitoring and evaluation process
- Proactively and reactively communicate with applicants and institutions
- Monitoring and evaluation of, and reporting on, funding data quality and finances
- Produce, screen and edit rating and awards meeting proceedings and outcomes documentsCoordinate activities with the relevant role players (e
- g
- conveners, reviewers, panel participants) in the review process (including advising them on process, procedures and timelines)
- Assist with reconciling and managing cost centre reports
- Monitor departmental performance against Performance Indicators (KPIs) and implement interventions as necessary, on a quarterly and annual basis
- Identify, initiate and participate in engagements with stakeholders that support the delivery of expected outputs, outcomes and impact
- Provide leadership, mentorship, support and guidance to the colleagues within and between departments as appropriate
Minimum Qualification:
- Honours Degree / Post Graduate Qualification / Professional Qualification / NQF 8
Minimum Experience:
- Honours or 4-year degree (NQF 8)
- A master’s degree (NQF 9) with evidence of research experience will be an added advantage
- 3 years’ work experience in research and development
- Demonstrated experience in administrating research and/or innovation support activities
Experience:
- Leadership capabilityResearch administration experienceProject management Contracts managementStakeholder managementFinancial management Advanced writing skillsGood interpersonal skillsProblem solvingConflict resolutionTime management skillsCommunication skills (English)Presentation capabilitiesScience DiplomacyComputer proficiency with the MS Office suiteQuantitative and qualitative analytical capabilities
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the South African Higher Education System Knowledge of the National System of Innovation
- Knowledge of National and International HRD Strategies and understanding of the development challenges
- Knowledge of relevant policies; legislation and regulations pertaining to research, innovation and postgraduate education in South Africa
- Knowledge of frameworks and best practices for monitoring and evaluation of research
The 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 established by an Act of Parliament and mandated to contribute to national development by supporting, promoting and advancing research and human capacity development, through funding and the provision of the necessary research infrastructure, in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including humanities, social sciences and indigenous knowledge; and supporting and promoting public awareness of, and engagement with, science. The NRF is a well-established organisation that is highly networked within the national and international knowledge systems. It is the principal organisation responsible for promoting the national research enterprise and is the primary public funder of postgraduate students and researchers and provider of research infrastructure in the country. It has well-developed, best practice research evaluation and support systems.
