SAEON gets green light for new high-level position

SAEON was given the go-ahead by its Technical Steering Committee and the National Research Foundation to appoint an  Observation Science Specialist. 

This follows an in-depth analysis of the current business-plan-derived responsibilities within SAEON, which led to the identification of the critical need for such a high-level position to be incorporated into the supporting structure, as illustrated in the accompanying illustration of the current portfolios of the SAEON National Office. The incumbent will in essence be responsible for developing and implementing a node-based Earth observation programme in accordance with SAEON strategies, and to the satisfaction of its stakeholders.

The step is in line with one of SAEON’s main initiatives for 2006 - to push ahead with formalising its scientific base. The portfolio of Observation Science is a long-term project which will require the ongoing attention of an experienced broad-based scientist, one with the necessary appreciation for multi-disciplinary observations inclusive of those of the human science paradigms which relates to the human-ecosystem field of research. 

The portfolio will require consultation and collaboration with scientists from all relevant institutions, including government departments and the SAEON nodes. The incumbent should therefore also be selected for leadership qualities. The preferred qualification would be a PhD. 

The Observation Science Specialist will be involved in environmental policy processes and the analysis, assessment, integration, synthesis and modelling of multi-disciplinary environmental data to deliver national data sets and information tools. The incumbent will also be required to work in a cross-disciplinary science set-up, and collaborate with African and global Earth observation networks and projects, and with the South African Earth Observation System (SAEOS) at a rather intense level in the not too distant future. Ongoing consultation with users from the scientific, public and private sectors will also form part of this challenging new position.

The First Biennial SAEON Summit in March 2006 will provide a platform upon which to build a node-based observation programme. Following the Summit a core observation plan will be conceptualised by the Observation Science Specialist in consultation with Earth observation users and scientists. 

This key position will significantly enhance SAEON’s scientific capacity in fulfilment of its  raison d'être.