Head: Systems and Operations - Department of Research and Innovation Job ID 24190 Location Research and Innovation Full/Part Time Full-Time Favorite Job Regular/Temporary Regular UP Professional and Support DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS HEAD: SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS PEROMNES POST LEVEL 4 In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy. The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development. JOB PURPOSE: Reporting to the Director: Research and Innovation, the portfolio of the Deputy Director supports the functions of the DHET Research subsidy submission, analysis and communication of performance and progress achieved in research, innovation and postgraduate education; and provides information technology leadership for research and related systems, which support the department and the UP research community. The portfolio also supports business continuity, budgets and HR processes for the department. RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful applicant’s duties will include, but are not limited to: Strategic management: A strong focus on optimizing the research, postgraduate student, and international reputation, brand and image of the University of Pretoria, ensuring that UP remains competitive nationally and internationally; Providing strategic input and decision making in respect of the division’s activities according to the vision, mission, aims and objectives of the Department’s strategy; Establishing effective work relationships and communication channels with internal and external stakeholders, and other relevant entities; The benchmarking of our services, business processes and systems with other institutions, both locally and internationally, through research and network collaborations; Facilitating and coordinating various key meetings, and ensuring that specific action plans are developed and implemented for the various portfolios; Facilitating outcomes, and implementing corrective actions where necessary; Systems management: The strategic management of PeopleSoft and other enterprise systems impacting on the research, postgraduate student, and academic researcher experience: Ensuring the provision of management information on research and postgraduate activities as input into strategic decision making for the department. Identifying and defining the functional terrain of the systems unit, considering the management of the full value chain of academic research, within the parameters of the strategy of the Department; Creating opportunities for optimal performance by supplying adequate and required operational and logistical support systems; Research outputs for DHET subsidy: Providing leadership for the research outputs subsidy process; Responsible to ensure that the annual audit is 100% clean for the submission of the journals to DHET; Ongoing liaison with the library and stakeholders on the use and annual relicensing of the Dimension reporting tool; Research analysis and communication: Liaison with the Director, Vice-Principal and the Senior Academic UP editorial committee, to provide leadership to the research analyst/editor for the production of the annual research review report; Providing leadership to the senior operations manager for the ongoing updating of the DRI research intranet; Coordinating the annual HSRC research survey on behalf of UP; In liaison with the Director, review and propose the research projects budget, IT capital budget, OPEX budget allocations, and any prospective HR resource budget; Reviewing all cost centres that support contract staff for sufficient funding, and liaising with relevant heads to providing sustainable funding for these posts; Ensuring that the annual NRF 50% deposit income is transferred to DRI; HR management: Ensuring that HR governance processes are refined and put in place for the department; Developing, compiling and formalizing standards for individual work success through the process of participative management for the division; Communicating the formulated UP policies with the staff, and ensuring their adherence to them; Managing unacceptable work performance according to the performance management and disciplinary procedure guidelines. Attending to grievances according to prescribed grievance procedure. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A total of eight years’ experience (Of which three in management), in an academic environment; Experience in: A scholarly research environment; Leadership, management and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build networks and relationships; Knowledge of: Strategy implementation and information management; Relevant legislation pertaining to research and higher education; Appropriate language, writing and communication skills; Ability to work under pressure and within a complex environment. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES): Knowledge of: Systems development; Research processes; Human resources management; Financial administration; MS Excel and Excel pivot tables; English communication; Writing business reports; Analytical and innovative thinking; Providing strategic leadership to new initiatives, and proven record of involvement in such initiatives; Ability to execute network liaison, and negotiate responsibly on senior level; Strong leadership and management abilities, and ability to work under much pressure on a number of high level parallel tasks; Ability to work in a matrix management environment; Strong business orientation; Ability to deal with complexity; Independent planning; Good interpersonal skills; ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES: Management or ITS qualifications; Ten years’ senior management experience in a higher education environment; Valid driver’s license. PLEASE NOTE: All shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in relevant skills assessments as part of the selection process. The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium. Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP. In applying for this post, please attach: Certified copies of qualifications; Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact. No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements. ENQUIRIES: Ms Lebo Jele, ********** for application-related enquiries, and Ms M Wheeler, ********** for enquiries relating to the post content. Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 August 2021, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups. All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials. The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.
