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SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE (SAWS) - LEAD SCIENTIST: MARINE
SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE (SAWS)
Private Bag X097, Pretoria, 0001 • Tel: + 27 (0) 12 367 6000 • www.weathersa.co.za • USSD: *120*7297#
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is a Section 3(a) public entity under the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) and is governed by a Board. The organisation is an authoritative voice for weather and climate related services in South Africa and is a member of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to fulfil a range of international obligations of the government. South African Weather Service (SAWS) strives to be a Weather and Climate Centre of Excellence providing innovative solutions to ensure a weather-smart region, sustainable development, and economic growth.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is therefore seeking to appoint an efficient and enthusiastic person to undertake the role of:
(RE-ADVERTISEMENT) Lead Scientist: Marine
Salary: Negotiable
Ref.WS01/042023
Centre: Cape Town Weather Office
Job Summary:
A Lead Scientist is primarily responsible for research in the field of marine science, product
development to support operational marine modelling, observational and research functions, continuous enhancement and maintenance of marine weather forecasting systems, development and improvement of marine standard operating procedures, and ensuring compliance with marine related national and international standards. The Lead Scientist is also responsible for relationship-building at the national, regional and to some degree, international level. The overall role will be lead a team of marine scientist (using ocean modelling and marine meteorological observational data) as part of SAWS’ operational and research activities.
Key Performance Areas:
• Provide scientific and strategic leadership to the Marine Research Unit.
• Actively initiate and lead or participate in programmes, projects or activities related to commercial services and public good including those of national and/or international scale.
• Have a strong understanding of coastal modelling dynamics such as utilizing and operating coastal modelling software tools (ROMS, Delft-3D).
• Develop and/or compile new operational products and establish new methodologies and processes that will improve the service delivery to clients.
• Provide guidance to build focus on national (and regional) marine services.
• Nurture external collaboration with national and international institutions relevant to the marine related data and information in line with strategic directions of SAWS.
• Represent SAWS where appropriate and serve on national or international scientific panels/committees or specialist groups in an expert capacity.
• Participate in support of relevant operational meteorological systems.
• Carry out all administrative functions attached to the post including the supervision of subordinates and the scientific mentoring of colleagues.
• Assist in managing all island / marine activities in a cost effective manner while conforming to prescribed standards.
• Assisting in annual financial planning activities including budgeting and expenditure control
• Supervise the adequate stock levels required for the marine and islands.
• Perform routine office administration practices including lodging claims, leave processing, transport administration, periodic reporting and administration of registers.
• Perform functions/duties as delegated by Chief Scientist and/or Senior Manager.
• Execute collaboration with all marine related stakeholders.
• Represent the South African Weather Service at meetings as requested by clients, Chief Scientist, Senior Manager or the Executive.
• Ensure efficient managing of TQM standards.
• Provide/coordinate training as instructed/requested.
• Sharing knowledge and skills with appropriate stakeholders and promoting the strategy of SAWS being a learning organization.
• Ascertaining training and development requirements for marine employees.
• Develop new techniques and establishment new methodologies and processes in field to improve on the efficiency in marine.
• Conduct marine and coastal metocean research.
• Add value to the organization through self-driven initiatives contributing to SAWS Strategic Objectives.
• Continue self-development and stay current/relevant with new developments in the field of Oceanography and marine Meteorology.
• Coordinate all activities and functions within the marine community such DEAT, SAMSA, Islands teams, buoys etc.
• Oversee and manage all marine-related assets.
• Ensure that all project deliverables as outlined in the performance agreement are timely met.
• Conduct performance contracting and assessments with Senior Scientist and Junior Scientists. Have an understanding and application of SAWS policies, PFMA, and any other applicable regulatory frameworks.
Required Minimum Education/Training:
• The ideal candidate should have at least a PhD in Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences.
Required Minimum Work Experience:
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in building and running numerical fluid dynamic models (ocean or atmosphere).
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Ability to work in a team.
• Candidate should have adequate experience working on successful projects and writing quality research proposals for funding.
• Substantial applied experience with scientific computing using languages such as MATLAB and Python.
• Experience in the Linux operating environment and scripting within this system
• Proven project management skills in a team leader capacity.
• Evidence of relevant peer reviewed publications, lead/co-author in at least 3 scientific papers.
Technical and Behavioural Competencies Required
• Innovation leading to implementation
• Analytical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Strategic planning
• Emotional intelligence
• Leadership
• Mentorship
Key Performance Areas:
• Provide scientific and strategic leadership to the Marine Research Unit.
• Actively initiate and lead or participate in programmes, projects or activities related to commercial services and public good including those of national and/or international scale.
• Have a strong understanding of coastal modelling dynamics such as utilizing and operating coastal modelling software tools (ROMS, Delft-3D).
• Develop and/or compile new operational products and establish new methodologies and processes that will improve the service delivery to clients.
• Provide guidance to build focus on national (and regional) marine services.
• Nurture external collaboration with national and international institutions relevant to the marine related data and information in line with strategic directions of SAWS.
• Represent SAWS where appropriate and serve on national or international scientific panels/committees or specialist groups in an expert capacity.
• Participate in support of relevant operational meteorological systems.
• Carry out all administrative functions attached to the post including the supervision of subordinates and the scientific mentoring of colleagues.
• Assist in managing all island / marine activities in a cost effective manner while conforming to prescribed standards.
• Assisting in annual financial planning activities including budgeting and expenditure control
• Supervise the adequate stock levels required for the marine and islands.
• Perform routine office administration practices including lodging claims, leave processing, transport administration, periodic reporting and administration of registers.
• Perform functions/duties as delegated by Chief Scientist and/or Senior Manager.
• Execute collaboration with all marine related stakeholders.
• Represent the South African Weather Service at meetings as requested by clients, Chief Scientist, Senior Manager or the Executive.
• Ensure efficient managing of TQM standards.
• Provide/coordinate training as instructed/requested.
• Sharing knowledge and skills with appropriate stakeholders and promoting the strategy of SAWS being a learning organization.
• Ascertaining training and development requirements for marine employees.
• Develop new techniques and establishment new methodologies and processes in field to improve on the efficiency in marine.
• Conduct marine and coastal metocean research.
• Add value to the organization through self-driven initiatives contributing to SAWS Strategic Objectives.
• Continue self-development and stay current/relevant with new developments in the field of Oceanography and marine Meteorology.
• Coordinate all activities and functions within the marine community such DEAT, SAMSA, Islands teams, buoys etc.
• Oversee and manage all marine-related assets.
• Ensure that all project deliverables as outlined in the performance agreement are timely met.
• Conduct performance contracting and assessments with Senior Scientist and Junior Scientists. Have an understanding and application of SAWS policies, PFMA, and any other applicable regulatory frameworks.
Required Minimum Education/Training:
• The ideal candidate should have at least a PhD in Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences.
Required Minimum Work Experience:
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in building and running numerical fluid dynamic models (ocean or atmosphere).
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Ability to work in a team.
• Candidate should have adequate experience working on successful projects and writing quality research proposals for funding.
• Substantial applied experience with scientific computing using languages such as MATLAB and Python.
• Experience in the Linux operating environment and scripting within this system
• Proven project management skills in a team leader capacity.
• Evidence of relevant peer reviewed publications, lead/co-author in at least 3 scientific papers.
Technical and Behavioural Competencies Required
• Innovation leading to implementation
• Analytical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Strategic planning
• Emotional intelligence
• Leadership
• Mentorship
Please Note:
If you have previously applied for the role, you do not need to apply again.
Register as user on our website using this link: https://www.weathersa.co.za/home/vacancies to apply for the above position and upload your (Comprehensive CV with certified copies of qualifications).
Enquiries for the above-mentioned positions must be directed to: Ms Thembisa Bixa, at Tel. (012) 367 6208.
Closing Date: 09 May 2023
Preference will be given to People living with disabilities in line with SAWS EE targets. This is an EE position and preference will be given to females, Africans, Indians and Coloureds (AIC). Correspondence will be limited to short listed candidates only. Candidates who have not been contacted within 3 months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The South African Weather Service is an equal opportunity employer.
Record Reference: HCM-ADVERT-
Document Reference HCM.ADV 001.1