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COUNCIL FOR GEOSCIENCE (CGS)
 
Job Title:  Public Information Officer
P Grade:  P07 (R812 785.12 Cost to Company, per annum)
Location:  Head Office Pretoria
Reporting Line:  Chief Executive Officer
 
Overall Job Purpose: To render effective and efficient custodianship of geoscientific information, acting as the conduit between Council for Geosciences (CGS) and the general public insofar as the receiving, transmitting and disseminating information. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that the CGS is fully compliant with the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI).
 
 
Key Responsibilities:
  • Supports the CEO in the establishment, management and maintenance of PAIA and POPI Act by effectively coordinating and facilitating compliance.
  • Assists the CEO in conducting and managing investigations upon receipt of a request, or complaints insofar as PAIA and POPI.
  • Advises management on the proper and correct implementation of PAIA and POPI.
  • Ensures that a compliance framework is developed, implemented, monitored and maintained.
  • Ensures compliance with the conditions for the lawful processing of personal information
  • Deals with requests made to an organisation with respect to information
  • Works with the Information Regulator in relation to investigations conducted
  • Ensures compliance by the organisation with the provisions of POPI
  • Ensures that adequate measures and standards exist in order to comply with the conditions for the lawful processing of personal information
  • Ensures that preliminary assessments are conducted in-full and on-time
  • Compiles the CGS PAIA and POPI manual
  • Ensures that a manual for the purpose of PAIA and POPI is developed, which must be available on the CGS’s website and at its offices for public inspection during normal business hours
  • Ensures that internal measures are developed together with adequate systems to process requests for information or access thereto
  • Ensures that awareness sessions are conducted regarding the provisions of POPI, regulations made in terms of POPI, codes of conduct, or information obtained from the Information Regulator
  • Develops internal measures as well as adequate systems to process requests for information or access thereto
  • Ensures that adequate measures and standards exist in order to comply with the conditions for the lawful processing of personal information
  • Ensures that a PAIA and POPI compliance framework is developed and is used across all business units, considering the following aspects:
  • Ensures that PAIA and POPI risk identification and management guidelines are in place;
  • Ensures that PAIA and POPI systems, and tools implementation and PAIA and POPI monitoring and reporting framework;
  • Conducts regular reviews of internal measures to gauge adequacy of PAIA and POPI systems and process
  • Scrutinises and/or oversees the review of compliance systems and facilitate adjustments
  • Drafts findings of a high quality in terms of the PAIA and POPI acceptable standards
  • Effectively communicates the findings with management of the PAIA and POPI investigations
  • Pro-actively identifies additional key risks relating to PAIA and POPI
  • Establishes and maintains an effective and efficient up to date PAIA and POPI register
  • Advises user departments on rectification in respect of non-compliance on PAIA and POPI
  • Maintains and updates the contract register for control safekeeping of all contracts
  • Advises on potential remedies, as appropriate, where a contractor’s performance is deficient
  • Undertakes regular research to improve the public information services management practice
  • Reports on a regular and consistent basis in relation to progress, costs and issues arising and obtain approval for material decisions in all matters of PAIA and POPI
 
Stakeholder Relations
  • Continually develops and maintains effective relationships with all  divisions departments
  • Contributes to the implementation of PAIA and POPI compliance mechanisms and frameworks
  • Builds capacity of line management and/or specialist on public information services management
 
Quality Management
  • Implements and maintains a comprehensive administration system
  • Develops and maintains an adequate and secure PAIA and POPI Data record-keeping system
  • Establishes a clear records management process for all PAIA and POPI documentation
  • Ensures that all files relating to PAIA and POPI investigations are logged, stored, and are easily accessible when required
  • Monitors tracks and report Key Performance Indicators for all PAIA and POPI deliverables
 
Project Management
  • Contributes actively and proactively to the initiatives, projects and activities in which the Office of the CEO management team are engaged
  • Assists in scoping project plans related to the development of PAIA and POPI compliance frameworks, standards and tools
 
People Management
  • Mentors, coaches and trains staff on the PAIA and POPI as well as public information services
  • Compiles and submits own Personal Development Plan
  • Participates in Continuous Professional Development initiatives/interventions in order to keep up with new technologies and procedures
 
Key Personal Attributes:
  • Consulting skills
  • Analytical skills  
  • Presentation and Facilitation skills
  • Communication skills (Oral and Written)
  • Negotiation skills 
  • Customer orientation
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Report writing skills 
 

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Qualification and Experience:
  • Relevant Bachelor’s Degree qualification in Law or equivalent
  • Registration with the Information Regulator (or eligibility to register)
  • Attainment of top secret certificate
  • Minimum 5 years related experience in the Legal environment of which at least 3 years must be Public sector exposure
  • Sound knowledge and understanding of PAIA and POPI
  • Interpretation and application of PAIA and POPI in a state-owned environment
  • Demonstrable experience in public information service management and administration support
  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of Information Regulator environment
  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of dispute resolution mechanisms
  • Able to conduct investigations and formulate data extracts and analysis pursuant to PAIA and POPI complaints
  • Excellent follow-through and ability to handle multiple priorities concurrently
  • Exposure in the geoscientific field
  • Project Management
  • Computer literacy (MS office)
 
 
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 (Public Information Officer) as reference when submitting your application.
 
Closing Date: 28 July, 2019