CAREER OPPORTUNITY Executive Director Natural Resources and the

							CAREER OPPORTUNITY
The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation, implementing projects throughout Africa and making a difference in people’s lives.

Executive Director: Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) About the job
The CSIR is South Africa's leading national research and development organisation with a track record of more than 60 years. The organisation’s research and development activities focus on promoting and sustaining growth at a national level, while seeking to address developmental needs of the continent. Within this context, the CSIR has a unit to support South Africa’s competitive performance through Research and Development (R&D), technological innovation and selected specialised value-added services in the natural resources and the environment domain. NRE’s primary focus is to be a world-leading research and development unit contributing towards the optimal utilisation of the natural resource base for the sustainable benefit of South Africa and Africa. The CSIR requires an experienced leader to lead this unit in various competence areas, each with a number of smaller research groups to allow focused and effective research leadership in key focal areas. These research groups include climate change, energy, atmospheric modelling, coasts and oceans, ecosystems, forestry, pollution and waste, resource-based sustainable development and water resources.

Key performance areas
Translating the R&D needs of the natural resource and environment sector into innovative, high impact and viable research and technology outputs and outcomes for the benefit of stakeholders; Proving overall strategic leadership for the unit to ensure its vision is achieved; Strong focus on engagement with the various stakeholders in this domain, locally and internationally; Creating a strong scientific culture, technology and innovation portfolio and people base; Managing and growing business operations of the unit and taking full responsibility for financial sustainability; Integrating NRE activities beyond the unit.

SS-F-HR-363 REV 00 Advert_Executive Director_NRE

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Requirements
A PhD or equivalent in a relevant scientific field; Extensive networks at the appropriate level in the local and international natural resources sector, both public and private; A track record of successfully leading and managing multi-disciplinary research teams from a senior leadership level; Extensive experience in the natural resources field; Extensive experience in research strategy development and implementation; Proven communication, negotiation and leadership skills, including the ability to manage a diverse, medium-sized people complement. Experience in generating research funding and the ability to manage the commercial and business aspects of a R&D enterprise.

Should you meet the above requirements, please email your c.v. to response01@spint.co.za

Closing date: 23 November 2009
The CSIR gives preference to candidates who meet the job requirements and who will add to the cultural and gender diversity of the organisation. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, consents and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from a registered credit bureau and/or SAPS (in relation to positions that require trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualifications and employment history. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted and that the CSIR reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

SS-F-HR-363 REV 00 Advert_Executive Director_NRE

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