VACANCY
SENIOR MANAGER: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION
FIXED TERM CONTRACT (5 YEARS)
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Manager: Research, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation is responsible for providing oversight for a program’s planning, evaluation, knowledge management and monitoring. The senior manager will provide strategic, operational, administrative leadership to the Research, Development and Innovation unit for the organization.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Policy and Strategy
· To develop policies and strategies supporting research, the market information monitoring and evaluation services.
· Design, develop and oversee the implementation of guidelines and policies to ensure implementation of processes and procedures and to ensure sufficient resources for the smooth running of the research and planning unit.
Manage Department Planning and Budget
· Design and develop the Research, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation department’s business operational plans and budget that will feed into organizational strategy to achieve the organisational objectives.
· Manage, monitor, control and department’s implementation plans.
· Manage and oversee budget planning of the department.
Manage Monitoring and Evaluation of Programmes
· Design, develop, implement, monitor, and update the Monitoring & Evaluation Framework
· Design systems, operations and processes to continuously undertake monitoring, evaluation and impact and report on operational standards within the organisation and its stakeholders in a proactive and unbiased and objective manner.
· Design, develop, review, and implement the Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Framework.
· Lead in monitoring and reporting of special projects, task teams and committee outcomes.
· Manage the internal and external audit of performance information.
Risk, Audit, Compliance and Quality Assurance
· Review, identify, assess, prioritise and monitor all risks within area of responsibility and identify, implement and monitor controls to mitigate risk as per risk register
· Ensure effective management of business and operational risk, resources and continuity.
· Maintain and report an operational risk register for the unit.
· Identify, mitigate, and communicate potential strategic risks to the COO
Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement
· Identify universities/ Colleges/ employers/other role players to partner with on high impact research projects.
· Negotiate partnerships relating to research and development.
· Overseeing the development of all monitoring and evaluation deliverables.
Research and Development
· Researching suitable subject/event topics, across a wide range of public policy areas.
· Conceptualizing research projects and preparing research proposals and project plans, on approved topics or themes.
· Proactively identify new trends and opportunities which the business should act upon.
· Providing intellectual leadership to teams working on approved research and monitoring projects.
· Monitoring developments in higher education globally, and assessing the implications of the key global developments on the higher education sector in South Africa and the Southern African Region
· Coordinating and monitoring projects commissioned out to external research experts, and managing contracts of the external research experts
· Reviewing draft research outputs produced by in-house and external researchers and making recommendations for improving their quality.
· Drafting advice and policy briefs informed by findings of properly designed and executed research
· Researching and recruiting suitable speakers
· Disseminating relevant research information, including research findings, at conferences, colloquia and symposia, as well as in scholarly publications
· Managing Task Teams or Working Groups set up to assist in formulating advice
· Participating in internal intellectual discourses within the Research, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation programme, as well within relevant external forums
· Mentoring research interns and other staff members within the Research, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation Programme who are at early stages of their research careers
· Working with other staff members in the Research, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation to organise seminars, colloquia, conferences and other intellectual engagement forums
· Supporting the COO, in exploring opportunities for external funding of research projects, and in preparing applications for funding to the relevant local and/or international research funding agencies or bodies
People / Staff Management
· Guide lead and direct staff to be able to achieve objectives set for them.
· Monitor and manage staff performance within the division in compliance with the Performance Management policy and processes.
· Ensure achievement of departmental goals and targets.
· Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance.
· Ensure the implementation and adherence of the human resources policies, procedures, and practices within the department.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
· Research-based Master’s degree, preferably in Education or other closely related Humanities and Social Science disciplines.
· A doctorate degree in similar disciplines would be advantageous.
EXPERIENCE
· 10 years’ demonstrable research experience focusing on, or related to, higher education.
· A minimum of 10 years of experience in research and evaluation in international development, with a specialisation in education programs.
· Minimum of 6 years in a managerial role leading multidisciplinary or skilled teams.
· 5 years of middle management experience in a research environment, preferably in a university or science council.
· Three (3) scholarly papers or book chapters published within the last five (5) years.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS
· Analytical thinker with strong conceptual and problem-solving skills.
· Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to multi-task.
· Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
· Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, (including Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point)
· Proven technical competence in research, monitoring and evaluation methods.
· Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, including expertise in data software packages
· Proficient in strategic planning and skilled in capacity-building.
· Demonstrated track record in implementing and overseeing large-scale data collection and monitoring processes is required.
· Previous experience working with schools, specifically in girls’ education, teachers, administrators, and government officials, is a requirement.
· Demonstrated leadership in Research, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation in designing, developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems for donor funded programs.
· Demonstrated ability to work effectively with communities, government institution, universities and other stakeholders.
· Proven capability in seeking and implementing creative and innovative solutions to challenges.
· Strong communication, facilitation skills and mentoring skills, including excellent writing skills.
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is an equal opportunity employer. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to email a concise CV to: Mr Karabo Modiboa responses@tafadzwa.co.za with Reference Number: REC/VR_202409
Closing date: 08 October 2024 @ 23:59pm - No late applications will be considered.
Disclaimer: Communication will be entered into with shortlisted candidates only.
Only CV’s submitted with the correct subject line will be attended to.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: R1 100 000,00 - R1 155 843,24 per year
Application Deadline: 2024/10/08