Preamble
The Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) was established as a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative to assist with and coordinate the implementation of the South African Mining Extraction Research, Development and Innovation strategy (SAMERDI). The process of revitalising South Africa’s mining Research and Development (R&D) capability is at the heart of the SAMERDI strategy. The CSIR, on behalf of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), and the Minerals Council of South Africa (MCSA), who collaboratively co-manage and co-host the Mandela Mining Precinct, currently have a vacancy for Executive Director: Mandela Mining Precinct. This is a three-year contract position (renewable) with the CSIR on behalf of the MMP.
About the job:
A vacancy exists for Executive Director: Mandela Mining Precinct. The successful candidate will ensure that the SAMERDI strategy is effectively executed and that it creates positive impact in the mining industry. The MMP has offices based in Carlow Road, Johannesburg.
Key responsibilities:
- The executive director will, in consultation with programme managers and key stakeholders, prepare annual MMP business plans and budgets that are submitted for approval to the DSI and the MCSA in alignment with the start of the financial years.
- Lead and drive the MMP strategy development, direction setting, implementation, financial sustainability, capability development, performance, operations and governance of the precinct.
- The MMP director is also responsible for the review and update of the MMP strategy from time-to-time in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and by doing benchmarking, foresight studies and trend analysis.
- The director ensures that implementation partners, including higher education institutions, commercial partners, industry and research councils, are effectively managed to deliver on programmes and projects of the SAMERDI and MMP strategy, as well as provides strategic leadership and operational management to the MMP with a view to create critical mass on a national level in key areas of mining research, human capital development and infrastructure, where required.
- The director will secure the required funding from key stakeholders and international sources to ensure that the SAMERDI and MMP strategy is well resourced and will ensure good governance of the precinct and all its activities.
- Furthermore, the incumbent will foster productive partnerships (local and international), healthy stakeholder relations and will build a positive brand image of the MMP and SAMERDI.
- The director will lead the coordination and facilitation on mineral extraction R&D in close collaboration with executives or CEOs from industry, universities, science councils and commercial entities.
- Initiate and develop new strategic initiatives for the MMP to lead, that is, scouting of global innovations, securing international funding, coordinate mineral extraction R&D in collaboration with relevant partners.
Lead and drive the MMP strategy development process and effective implementation of the SAMERDI and MMP strategy and initiate strategy reviews as required in collaboration with key partners and stakeholders
- Initiate and implement clearly defined programmes, projects and initiatives that align to the objectives of the SAMERDI and MMP strategy.
- Run open and transparent expression of interest processes to elicit interest from various collaboration partners to assist in the delivery of the research, development and innovation (RD&I) involved in such programmes.
- Implementation and collaboration partners secured, contracted and involved in the execution of programmes, projects and SAMERDI and MMP strategy initiatives.
- Regular engagements with collaborators to ensure alignment with objectives and effective delivery.
- Ensure the successful delivery of SAMERDI and MMP initiatives, programmes and projects.
- Ensure that data, information, knowledge, peer-reviewed publications, reports, intellectual property, infrastructure, capabilities, technology platforms and solutions are delivered as planned.
- Encourage the diffusion or dissemination and uptake of the SAMERDI and MMP strategy deliverables such as outputs and outcomes by stakeholders, including the mining industry.
- Monitoring, evaluation and assessment of impact of the SAMERDI and MMP strategy deliverables, to determine whether they are working towards meeting the stated objectives.
- Drive and lead stakeholder supported strategic review processes culminating in a reviewed SAMERDI and MMP strategy (every three to five years).
- Initiate new strategic initiatives for the MMP to lead i.e., scouting of global innovations, securing international funding and coordinate mineral extraction R&D in collaboration with relevant partners.
Management of the MMP
- Provide strategic direction to the activities of the MMP.
- Ensure the effective functioning of the governance structures of the MMP (the SAMERDI Steering Committee, technical committees, Exco, Manco and so forth).
- Provide effective secretariat support to the SAMERDI strategic structures.
- Operationalise CSIR and MCSA processes and decision-making frameworks that align with the governance structures of the MMP.
- Implement processes, systems and tools for monitoring, evaluating and reporting against the SAMERDI strategy objectives.
- Meet key performance indicator targets as required by annual business plans and prescribed by key stakeholders.
- Control underpinning MMP business processes designed, implemented and complied with.
- Ensure that contracting and contract management complies with CSIR and MCSA policies and procedures.
- Ensure that projects are delivered on time, on brief and on budget.
- Progress reporting to the funders and relevant governance structures according to stated schedules.
- Record management in line with the CSIR and MCSA policies and best practices.
- Attraction, recruitment, development, management, motivation and retention of human capital associated with the MMP.
- Ensure that MMP values are upheld among MMP staff and that these values are integrated into the functioning of the MMP.
- Be accountable for the evaluation and management of the risks in terms of people, property and finances with appropriate mitigation plans.
- Drive overall performance management, including revenue, output and outcome targets.
Stakeholder engagement, relationship management, communications and brand development
- Ensure an effective collaborative partnership relationship with and between the respective funders of the MMP.
- Understand the complexity of a mixed public, private partnership (PPP) environment and effectively manage expectations in this regard.
- Ensure an engaged and diversified stakeholder base for the MMP.
- Establish and manage a stakeholder outreach and key account management programme that improves stakeholder relationships and builds the MMP’s credibility.
- Ensure active participation and contribution of the stakeholders to the MMP activities and SAMERDI strategy implementation, and that relevant knowledge and technology experts from academia, research institutions and others are leveraged.
- Build a strong public profile of the MMP on multiple media platforms.
- Ensure that the MMP website is developed, maintained, up to date and is informative.
- Ensure that the strategic initiatives, programme and project success stories are professionally documented on the MMP website and other mediums.
- Encourage the creation of platforms and the staging of events aimed at sharing information and encouraging learning amongst partners and stakeholders.
- Ensure active participation of the precinct in events such as conferences to showcase the work of the MMP.
- Facilitation of thought leadership activities on mining RD&I and emerging technology.
- Ensure MMP brand value is enhanced to attract partners, collaborators and funders.
Financial sustainability and good governance
- Ensure that finances are well-managed and that expenditure is maintained within budget.
- Ensure that the funding achieves the desired outcomes.
- Avoid irregular, wasteful and fruitless expenditure.
- Adhere to governance protocols, applicable legislation, policies and procedures at all times.
- Ensure that there is no qualified audit findings relating to the activities of the MMP.
- Identify, mitigate and managed systemic, strategic, operational and project risks.
- Diligently execute duties as required in terms of Director’s appointment as an OHS and Privacy policy officer.
- Continuously promote a culture of safety within the MMP.
- Ensure good quality outputs of RD&I services through regular engagement with technical committees.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
- Master’s degree or Master of Business Administration or an equivalent qualification in mining or mining engineering or a related or relevant field.
- At least 15 years of relevant experience in managing complex programmes and projects in line with best practice, with 10 years of demonstrated experience in management, including executive level, of multi-stakeholder business and partnerships.
- Previous mining-related experience essential.
- Previous research management experience essential.
- Previous executive leadership experience essential.
- Previous experience of transformation initiatives preferred.
- A detailed understanding of the Public Finance Management Act and National Treasury reporting requirements.
- Evidence of understanding key issues and “pain points” in the mining industry.
- Understanding and appreciation of South Africa’s socioeconomic development challenges and the potential role of mining in addressing these challenges, including the understanding of Operation Phakisa for mining objectives.
- Proven track record of successfully managing similar complex and multi-stakeholder programmes.
- Knowledge of RD&I methods and tools.
- Leadership and operational management abilities.
- Strategic leadership and complexity management.
- Strategy development and implementation.
- Excellent integration of various data sources and stakeholders’ views.
- Experience with procurement in the public domain.
- Experience with contracting and contract management.
- Deep insight and knowledge of the mining domain and key stakeholders.
- Stakeholder, partnership and relationship management skills.
- Interpersonal, negotiation, persuasion and communications skills (written, verbal and presentation).
- Good financial, human resource and business acumen.
- Ability to manage complex environments and deal with non-standard problems.
- Ability to get things done in the public and private sector ecosystems.
- Ability to ensure effective integration of outcomes where required.
- Risk management skills.
- Performance and consequence management skills.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Conflict management skills.
Please apply on the CSIR Careers page: https://candidate.csir.co.za
Closing date: Friday, 2 December 2022
PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.
For more info, please email us at MMamogale@csir.co.za, Please do-not send applications to this mailbox, it is for inquiries only.
The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Service (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.