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SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE (SAWS)

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is a Section 3(a) public entity under the Ministry of Environmental Affairs 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 Organization (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: 
 
LEAD SCIENTIST 
Health Application Research 
Department: Research and Development 
Salary: Total package negotiable - Level 12 
Ref. WS03/092023 
Centre: Pretoria 
 
Job Summary: 
The Lead Scientist: Application Research will be responsible for research and development of applications products and services in the weather, climate and health. The Lead Scientist will oversee all research, scientific, operational and administrative activities within his/her section. The suitable candidate should have a good understanding of weather-climate science and its applications and possess good communication skills necessary to contribute to the advancement of the SAWS applications research pillar. 
 
Key Performance Areas: 
  • As Lead Scientist: Application Research within the Research and Development Department of SAWS, the incumbent will be responsible for: 
  • Developing products and processes in support of the SAWS services 
  • Play a leading role in research projects doing research, development, installation, upgrading or maintenance of the scientific systems relevant to weather-climate and health 
  • Assist in evaluating research needs and advice in developing and maintaining the strategic direction of weather-climate and health research in the SAWS, in line with the international standards, practices and developments 
  • Proactively develop funding research proposals and manage the research efforts forthcoming 
  • The incumbent will also be responsible for the analyses of data sets from the latest global and regional models as well as non-weather-climate data 
  • Participate in research programmes, projects or activities related to applied weather-climate science for health 
  • Participate in the support of relevant operational and/or meteorological systems 
  • Identify research gaps in the specific field and pursue methods to address these in cooperation with other SAWS divisions and sections and where relevant with external institutions 
  • Develop and nurture external collaboration with national and international institutions relevant to atmospheric research activities 
  • Represent the SAWS where appropriate on national or international scientific panels/committees or expert groups in an expert capacity 
  • Ensure the scientific integrity to international standards of the research activities in his/her field in the SAWS 
  • The suitable candidate should have a good understanding of weather-climate science and its applications and possess communication skills necessary to contribute to the advancement of the SAWS applications research pillar 
  • Provide scientific guidance and project leadership to junior scientists and ensure teamwork in conducting research and reporting findings in reports and scientific journals and provide mentoring and scientific capacity building within SAWS 
  • Participate in all activities related to the implementation and/or maintenance of the SAWS TQM system 
  • Act as co-promoter or University study leader. 
 
Minimum Requirements and Attributes: 
  • A PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Health, Meteorology, Climatology or any related field. 
  • Knowledge of programming in any language such R, Python, SPSS, STATA, ArcGIS, QGIS etc is required 
  • Proven experience of 2 to 5 years on a senior scientist level, successful project completion in a team-leader capacity and a publication record relevant to this field is essential

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Please Note: 
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: 29 September 2023 
 
Preference will be given to People living with disabilities in line with SAWS EE Targets. 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 your application was unsuccessful. The organisation reserves the right not to fill this position. South African Weather Service is an equal opportunity employer. 
 
Record Reference: HCM-ADVERT-LEAD-RES-PRO_APPL