Manager: Knowledge Management at Council for Geoscience (CGS)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operations Management/Business Process

• Participate in the development and execution of the business unit’s operational/performance plan as guided by the CGS’s business strategy and annual performance plan.
• Management of competitive scientific research and innovation with particular focus on GIS and Scientific Databases.
• Manage the Knowledge Management team, perform advanced geospatial analysis and participate in evolution of geospatial systems support to the program.
• Managing and aiding Knowledge Management staff in exercising their responsibilities and building a highly effective support team.
• Manage the implementation of the Geoscience Technical Programmer (GTP) for the unit.
• The incumbent will work with program staff and leadership to design initiatives that expand the GTP.
• Prepare business unit reports in line with CGS reporting protocols.
• Provide strategic direction to the unit and its staff
• Manage work requests
• Supervise, monitor and evaluate the activities of the Knowledge Management staff
• Coordinate data management activities related to other facets of the organization’s work
• Provide technical and project management support to all CGS scientific staff (Geoscientific Services and Integrated Geoscience Development)
• Perform GIS spatial and remote sensing analyses as required
• Create map layouts, map templates, map icons, generate maps, generate reports, and ensure that the maps and reports are stored in the GIS database correctly
• Perform GIS data quality control of all data in the GIS database.
• Review all submitted data for completeness and accuracy, identifying and correcting errors or omissions in the data and ensuring that data is stored correctly in the GIS database, including a correct projection and metadata
• Ensure that all CGS libraries (Virtual Core Library, National Borehole Library, National Geoscientific Library), and the National Geoscientific Museum maintain technological relevance in the scientific field and supports and showcases the work of the CGS.
• Ensure the appropriate and optimal management of physical data at all CGS libraries and the Museum.
• Provide training to the team staff members on technological advances, new software or new procedures.

 Programme/Project Management 

• Oversee the development of project plans and manage accordingly to deliver all defined work components-these plans should indicate resourcing, time frame (scheduling of project activities), budgets, and milestones, as well as tracking project deliverables, quality management, health and safety management, and reporting requirements-typically agreed with recipients of the outputs, i.e. stakeholders and clients.

 Stakeholder Relations

• Provide advice to industry, government and the public on the management of GIS and scientific databases.
• Facilitate and maintain appropriate relations with stakeholders, in line with CGS strategic stakeholder relations strategy.
• Ensure the provision of effective and efficient services and solutions within CGS to enable stakeholders to achieve their strategic objectives.
• Continuously promote and advertise the CGS National Libraries and Museum and ensure all stakeholders are aware of the CGS’s data and knowledge offering.
• Interact with service providers to ensure SLAs have been met and contracts are managed appropriately.
• Promptly share and exchange knowledge/information

Quality Assurance

• Ensure implementation of the ISO 9001 accreditation process within the business unit.
• Ensure quality control of products and services and compliance with ISO 9001, where appropriate.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on Economic GIS and Scientific Databases performance indicators.
• Conduct on-going research and development of cutting-edge GIS Scientific Databases.

Financial Management

• Execute prudent and proper management of budget in line with CGS policies and PFMA.
• Exercise proper implementation of financial management protocols within the business unit in line with CGS policies.
• Together with the Executive Manager, take accountability for the overall business unit’s budget and ensure is spent appropriately.

People Management

• Execute prudent and proper human resource management within the business unit.
• Champion the skills development and transfer with the business unit.
• Implementation of the CGS performance management policy with the business unit.
• Mentors and coaches’ staff within the business unit where required
• Promotes a culture of practices that reflect the CGS values and encourages good performance.
• Determine human resources requirements taking into consideration operational needs, skills and scarcity and retention capability.
• Supports a transformation programme of the CGS aligned with the objectives of the Employment Equity (EE) Act.

BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to organise, prioritise, delegate, influence and lead project teams; make decisions; recognize and manage risks, and work as a team member
• Ability to behave as a trusted client advisor to contribute to client’s success, acting fairly, ethically, and in a manner that is socially responsible and complies with the ethos of the CGS.
• Ability to interact and negotiate at various levels
• Ability to set clear goals, monitor those goals and ensure that the goals are attained.
• Positive outlook, willing to engender a positive organisational culture, as well as lead and motivate subordinates
• Ability to think innovatively and strategically.
• Excellent scientific skills.
• Ability to resolve conflict and think decisively to ensure operational efficiency.
• Ability to assess and monitor overall efficiency and effectiveness of projects.
• Ability to engender diversity and transformation.
• Ability to engender continued learning and growth for self-development and staff development.
• Good business and financial management acumen.
• Demonstrable and proven success in developing new business in GIS and Scientific Database in response to requests for proposal by national or international stakeholder will be highly advantageous.
• Demonstrable ability to manage a diverse portfolio of projects will be advantageous.
• Demonstrable ability to implement data management strategies
• Candidates must have a successful and verifiable track record of and be fully conversant with, modern data management and interpretation technologies
• Member of an appropriate professional institution
• Knowledge of regulations and/or laws applicable to the field of expertise.
• Knowledge of Geoscience Act No 1993 (as amended in 2010), ISO 9001 and PFMA.
• Knowledge of the Operational Health and Safety Act.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• BSc (Honours) in GIS or other related field, with combined 10 years managerial and GIS and Scientific Databases experience or
• MSc in GIS or other related field, with combined 6 years managerial, GIS, and Scientific Databases experience or
• PhD in GIS or other related field, with combined 5 years managerial, GIS, and Scientific Databases experience
• Must possess a valid drivers’ licence.