Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Management
Work Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Closing Date: 18 October 2024
The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa's activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT telescope in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.
This position, working closely with the SARAO Deputy Managing Director, as well as the relevant communications and science engagement functionaries within the broader NRF environment, is responsible for developing and directing the successful execution of SARAO's communications portfolio.
Key Responsibilities: Ensuring the design and delivery of effective internal and external communications and communication platforms to ensure positive stakeholder sentiment, awareness and engagement towards radio astronomy and NRF/SARAO.Design and delivery of public science engagement programs and activities to ensure an informed and supportive stakeholder community.Ensuring the design and delivery of an effective stakeholder management function, and strategic interventions, to establish and maintain a positive 'social license to operate' for radio astronomy investments and activities, particularly in the Karoo region of South Africa where both the MeerKAT and SKA-MID telescopes are located.Key Requirements: Qualification: Honours Degree in Science Journalism, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or related field.Experience: 8 years of communications and science engagement experience, 3 years of which should be in a senior management role.Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of the STEM structures in South Africa, and to a lesser extent elsewhere in Africa.Comprehensive understanding of science communication structures in South Africa, and internationally.Some understanding of radio astronomy science and engineering.Understanding of public, private and government communication channels and stakeholders.Additional Notes: Additional Experience in the following would be an advantage: Science communicationStakeholder managementGovernment communicationsCrisis communications managementRural economic developmentCreative designAbility/Personal attributes: Strong leadership skills.Excellent communications and inter-personal skills.Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.Excellent writing and editing skills.Excellent stakeholder management skills.Good risk management skills.Excellent analytical skills.Ability to understand and synthesise information from a complex stakeholder environment.Ability to conceptualise and implement relevant communication strategies.Ability to operate with minimal supervision.Highly creative.Ability to represent SARAO in external forums and specialist discussions.Ability to work under pressure and manage a variety of tasks simultaneously.Ability to easily engage with all internal and external stakeholders.Ability to articulate complex information in a simple and communicable form to the general public.Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.Information:
The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.
Applications:
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by logging to https://ess.nrf.ac.za/Account/Recruitment and apply online. 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.
Closing Date: 18 October 2024 The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.
The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only.
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