SOUTH AFRICAN COMMITTEE FOR STRATIGRAPHY SECRETARIAT

Job Title: South African Committee for Stratigraphy Secretariat
Peromnes Grade: Peromnes Grade 05 (R 1 359 510,38 CTC Per Annum)
Location: Pretoria Head Office
Reporting Line: Business Unit Manager: Geoscience Mapping
Overall Job Purpose: Undertake cutting-edge research focused on a standard and uniform characterisation and cataloguing of South African Stratigraphy and allied geoscience themes (integrated and multidisciplinary geoscientific research). This includes leading a standard and extensive review and quality assurance of stratigraphically linked mandated geoscience research within the Council for Geoscience and other allied research.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage, administer and oversee the integration of mandated research projects and ensure stratigraphic standardisation and quality assurance.
Ensure that the definitions and nomenclature used for geoscience are guided and regulated by the South African Committee for Stratigraphy principles and the transformative targets of South Africa.
Manage, administer and oversee the functionality and operations of the South African Committee for Stratigraphy operations, guided by the requisite operational framework.
Ensure integration across the operational framework and various task groups of the South African Committee for Stratigraphy, together with geoscience institutions in South Africa.
Oversee the development and enablement of adequate knowledge and skills transfer throughout the structure of the South African Committee for Stratigraphy.
Ensure effective science communication of the work and results being undertaken through the framework of the South African Committee for Stratigraphy and the Council for Geoscience.
Manage and oversee the various communicative platforms that will be used for the dispersal of information.
Conduct extensive literature review of regions where geological investigations will be conducted. This should include reviewing and compiling all pre-existing sedimentological, lithological, structural, geochemical, economical, hydrogeological and geochronological data; and oversee the standard cataloguing of these data into digital format.
Design and oversee the packaging and presentation of South African Stratigraphic Committee secretariat results, discussion thereof and make recommendations for additional work toward supporting research toward furthering the thematic objectives.
Design and lead the consolidation of all data into project reports, thematic maps and peer-reviewed publications.
Design and lead the presentation of results at local and international geoscientific conferences.
Oversee and administer in-house scientific publications, especially those linked to fundamental geoscience.
Undertake allied geoscience research aligned to organisational mandate.
Research and Development

Initiate and participate in cutting-edge stratigraphic geoscientific research, which involves data mining and data interpretation, compilation/computation of maps and/or geoscientific models in mineral and energy resources
Participate in independent research from data gathering, development of high-quality maps and reports, level editing of maps, reports, 3D models and other publications
Develop, interrogate and implement innovative conceptual models and techniques to enhance efficiency in regard to mineral and energy resources programmes
Make recommendations of the research at regional, national, inter-governmental level for scientific research or commercial purposes.
Develop new methodologies for data synthesis to support mineral and energy resources programmes
Compile reports and peer-reviewed technical articles or scientific publications
Provide guidance and/or mentoring to early-career staff in research, which involves the following:
Provide guidance in the formulation of research proposals, methodologies, data collection and data interpretation
Evaluate projects results and makes recommendations for publication
Participate in national or international review bodies tasked with reviewing advanced projects/programmes of national, scientific or international significance
Project Implementation and Project Management

Lead varied cutting-edge geoscience (e.g. mineral and energy resources) programmes simultaneously and guides other scientists in their implementation
Monitor expenditures in projects and ensure that the budget is expended in line with the evaluate progress of tasks and objectives of the projects, and report progress to Business Unit Manager
Monitor risks and make recommendations for corrective measures in line with the risk management plan to the Business Unit Manager
Identify and contribute to geoscience aspects during the compilation of tenders documents and proposals
Participate and/or lead commercial contract negotiations with external clients in line with the mandate from the Executive Management
Lead the compilation of commercial and statutory project tender documents or contracts; geoscientific and, project financial and scheduling aspects
Ensure that project objectives, tasks and activities are implemented within budget and agreed timeframes
Stakeholder Relations and Reporting

Provide expert advice to the Executive Management, and/or public and private sector organisations related to mineral and energy resources and
Provide advice to Executive Management on scientific and technical acceptability of maps, publications and reports
Provide independent moderation or peer-review of post-graduate degrees or scientific publications
Present at a national and/or international conferences or related work forums. Editing or co-editing of a book or volume based on conference proceedings
Make science-based contributions to research publications as author or co-author in national and international journals
Produce high-quality publications in national and/or international journals as first author
Participate in scientific discussions at national and international conferences involving matters of scientific importance either in a specific field or variety of fields
Contributes to the national standard and best practice guidelines at relevant platforms
Quality Assurance

Develop and Implements operating manuals for work procedures for ISO certification
Evaluate project results, reviews and edits project proposals and technical reports compiled by early-career scientists
Review methodologies, models and maps on various projects
Develop and implement project risk assessment and mitigation plans
Learning and Development

Mentor, coach and provide supervision and guidance in research of lower level scientists in regard to their geoscientific work and their progress
Initiate national or international training workshops /courses for early-career scientists to strengthen skills transfer staff in line with the business unit development plan.
Assist in identifying training needs and recommends to the manager
Evaluate the results, edits reports for publication by early-career scientists, and prepares own work for publication by the Council for Geoscience
Supervise and provide guidance in the execution of projects by early-career scientists
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

In depth knowledge and understanding of geodynamics, regional orogenic-tectono-metamorphic processes and the applications and collection of geoscience data
Knowledge and understanding of sedimentology, depositional palaeo-environments, surface processes, depositional mineralising systems, geochemical, geochronological, petrographic, and paleontological themes.
KEY ATTRIBUTES AND REQUIRED SKILLS

Ability to undertake research within a dynamic and diverse team environment and capable of building interpersonal relations with clear communication
Able to resolve complex analytical and logistical problems
Able to oversee the planning and organising of targeted field work and project coordination
Able to undertake a leadership role with clear communication, management of resources, conflict management and the capability of building professional relationships
Professional and scientific writing and communication skills
Computer literacy and the ability to work within a geographic database environment.
General understanding of treasury guidelines and procurement procedures
Affinity toward create, innovative thinking with a significant dedication toward quality management and control
Affinity toward maintaining the highest level of safety and health management
Affinity toward training and development of young/inexperienced geoscientists
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

MSc or MTech in Geology and 15 years relevant experience in geological mapping in a wide range of geological terrains OR
PhD or DTech in Geology and 10 years relevant experience in geological mapping in a wide range of geological terrains AND
Corresponding geological map publication record
Proven and relevant peer-review publication record, with particular emphasis on stratigraphic principles, fundamental geoscience, integration of geoscience datasets and allied thematic research
Registered with SACNASP or eligible for SACNASP registration
Drivers licence (non-negotiable), with 4X4 training certification
NRF Rating an added advantage
The Council for Geoscience is committed to Employment Equity and diversity. In accordance with the Employment Equity prescripts, preference will be given but not limited to candidates from under represented designated groups. Females and people from previously disadvantaged groups and sectors are encouraged to apply.

If you meet the above requirements and wish to apply, please send your application to careers@geoscience.org.za Please quote the position title (South African Committee for Stratigraphy Secretariat) as reference when submitting your application.

Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you have not been contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

All appointments are subject to vetting processes.

Closing Date: 24 December, 2020