Director: Future Africa

UP Professional and SupportFUTURE AFRICA

DIRECTOR: FUTURE AFRICA

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 4
- The University of Pretoria’s Future Africa research platform where Africa’s leading researchers and scholars from across the world and from a broad range of disciplines come together to leverage the benefits of transdisciplinary research to address the local and grand challenges that face Africa and the world. _
- The Future Africa campus provides a dynamic living, learning and research environment where a community of scholars and other societal role players engage to advance excellence in scholarship, dialogue and impact._
- As an African global university, the University of Pretoria is well placed to develop the future leaders of science in Africa. The University's size, its wide array of disciplines, strong commitment to transdisciplinarity for societal impact and high level of international and national connectivity contributes to its current role as regional hub for scholars and students hailing from the rest of the continent._

**RESPONSIBILITIES**

The successful incumbent’s responsibilities will include:

- To provide strategic leadership of all aspects of Future Africa’s research and engagement activities, organizational development and operations, including communications, human and financial resource management;
- To design, enable and oversee the implementation of Future Africa Action Plans in line with the platform’s four areas of activity and agreed key performance indicators;
- To develop national, regional and global networks relevant to advancing Future Africa’s vision and mission;
- To represent Future Africa and promote its aims, interests and standing to internal and external stakeholders;
- To ensure the effective resourcing, sustainability, as well as effective governance and management of Future Africa; and
- To contribute strategic advice and support to the University Vice-Chancellor and Principal, members of the Executive, and Faculty Deans.

**MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS**

**Qualification**
- A PhD in a relevant field.

**Experience**
- At least 10 years’ experience in international science and science policy systems development and management;
- A compelling international track record of success working at the science-policy-practice nexus;
- In-depth knowledge of and strong networks amongst African and global science, higher education and funding communities;
- The ability to engage with and work convincingly across the full spectrum of scientific disciplines;
- A proven track record of developing inter
- and trans-disciplinary partnerships with experience in convening and influencing a diverse range of stakeholders;
- At least 5 years of executive management experience in a regional/international science/research environment; with a strong ability to manage governance and operational functions of a complex organization;
- A proven track record in successful organizational development and fundraising; and
- Strong international networks and a recognized profile and reputation in advancing and advocating science for the global public.

**REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES)**:

- Relevant knowledge of policies, legislation and trends related to the science, technology and higher education environment in South Africa, Africa and globally;
- Strategic vision and knowledge concerning strategy development and implementation, information management, and management of international programmes;
- The development and implementation of the Strategic Plan of the University of Pretoria
- Executive management skills (HR, Finance, etc.);
- Exceptional written and spoken communication and language skills in English;
- Proven high-level proposal-writing and presentation skills; and
- Systems development, including project management, skills.

**In addition, the following behavioural competencies are required**:

- The ability to maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality;
- Analytical and innovating thinking, strategic leadership in new initiatives and proven record of success in such initiatives;
- The ability to liaise with a wide variety of entities and individuals in the University community and external entities;
- The ability to work independently and handle simultaneous assignments with success and accuracy;
- The ability to execute network, liaison and negotiation responsibility on senior level
- Attention to detail;
- The ability to manage time and priorities effectively;
- The ability to deal with complexity;
- High levels of diplomacy and empathy and a willingness to understand and engage with different perspectives and cultures;
- A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as environmental and social sustainability;
- An empowering leadership style; and
- A passion for science and what it contributes to society.

**ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES**
- A PhD in the field of science and technology policy development;
- Experience