Work @ SAEON

SAEON is advertising five exciting new positions: two managerial positions based at the SAEON National Office in Pretoria and three positions at the newly established SAEON Marine-Offshore Node in Cape Town. Apply today!

The South African Environmental Observation Network is a rapidly growing initiative started in 2002 by the Department of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation and national environmental science stakeholders.

It addresses the environmental observation and information needs of future generations of South Africans. SAEON reaches far and wide, nationally, regionally and globally, and good relations with all its partners and users are crucial to its success as a national platform for environmental observations and a provider of reliable environmental data and products for science, policy and management.

Manager: Stakeholder Relations
SAEON NATIONAL OFFICE, PRETORIA

Purpose: This new position must create a mechanism and processes for the facilitation of interactions and relations with SAEON's stakeholders. The position links to long-term strategies in government departments, science councils, higher education and relevant industry, with a view to unlock collective resources and explore and establish new collaborative opportunities.

Requirements: The position requires a relevant Masters Degree, e.g. in Systems/ Landscape Ecology, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Chemistry, Geosciences, Geography or Biodiversity.Work experience must include a minimum of a 5 years junior management role in the public sector, higher education, science council, relevant private company or non-government organisation. Applicants must have proven high-level communication skills (ranging from public speaking to journalism), subscribe to an ethos of sustainable development and be able to travel.

The key performance areas include: • Developing and managing stakeholder relations • Strategically interpreting business realities and futures • Guiding and promoting science-policy products/services • Managing corporate reporting, marketing and communication.

Manager: Information Systems
SAEON NATIONAL OFFICE, PRETORIA

Purpose: This new position must develop and implement electronic connectivity and interoperable information systems in collaboration with distributed SAEON Nodes and Participants.

Requirements: The position requires a degree in Computer/Information Science or a combination of qualifications in Environmental Science and Information Technology with 5 years' job-related experience in the public sector, university, science council, relevant private company or non-government organisation. Applicants must have strategic planning, project management, financial and reporting, leadership and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of design and management of databases and websites coupled with working knowledge of proprietary and open-source software for environmental data management and data serving platforms (GIS, VPN and wireless networking) are essential. Passion for environmental science, team work and task orientation as well as the ability to travel is also required.

The key performance areas include: • Managing the development and implementation of the SAEON information management system and policies • Developing and maintaining IT networks and the SAEON website for electronic communication and data delivery • Supporting the delivery of SAEON scientific products and services • Managing staff and finances and promoting SAEON-wide capacity building.

Applicants should submit a brief CV, including the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least three referees as well as a covering letter in support of the application. These should be either mailed (eva@saeon.ac.za ) or faxed to the Office Coordinator, SAEON National Office, PO Box 1758, Pretoria 0001, fax (012) 392-9316; to reach us no later than 20 October 2007. Correspondence will be conducted with short-listed candidates only. Enquiries: (012) 392-9383.

The SAEON Marine Offshore Node based in Cape Town and hosted by Marine and Coastal Management, is looking to fill the following positions:

Marine Data Scientist
SAEON Marine Offshore Node, Cape Town

A dedicated candidate is required to play a key role in developing and establishing the SAEON Marine Offshore Node data system.

Requirements: • MSc qualification in a marine research related field or, a Bachelors or Postgraduate degree in Information Systems, Information Technology or computer related field with at least a major in one of the life sciences • 3 years’ experience in database management systems (e.g. Oracle, MySQL) and database programming in a marine research related field • Computing skills preferably in MATLAB or FORTRAN and at least one of the following: GIS, spatial and temporal data interrogation, HTML or Java • Ability to setup and maintain a server, analyse data and write reports as well as identify trends in long-term data sets • Ability to win scientists over to the notion of data sharing (traits include being trustworthy, firm, open and transparent) • Ability to travel • Attention to detail.

Key performance areas will include: • Developing and managing SAEON databases and supporting infrastructure • Establishing the gaps in the marine data and producing up to date metadata • Providing guidance to outside contractors in terms of high level data base design • Securing long-term data series from scientists • Managing specific data base projects • Setting up and maintaining a server at the SAEON Marine Offshore Node offices • Establishing a culture of producing environmental metadata • Networking databases internally and externally • Identifying data mining possibilities • Undertaking data analysis and interpretation • Producing data products • Managing part-time data entry clerks • Ensuring high levels of data quality, control and assurance.

Marine Education Officer
SAEON Marine Offshore Node, Cape Town

A dedicated candidate is required to assist the offshore node fulfil SAEON's mandate to provide societal benefits through education and awareness of marine environmental issues.

Requirements: • A Teaching diploma • An environmental education qualification • 3 years' experience in the field • Production and educational materials skills • Good teaching and organisational skills • Computer literacy • A good command of Xhosa and/or Afrikaans will be a definite advantage.

Key performance areas will include: • Promoting and undertaking educational outreach programmes with a LTER schoolyard emphasis • Developing and managing an annual monitoring camp for learners • Developing lessons, activities and workshops for school groups • Teaching, facilitating and implementing educational activities for school groups • Curriculum support and teacher development through workshops and hands-on monitoring projects • Arranging teaching equipment for lessons, organising bookings and preparing venues for teaching • Keeping records of school visits, activities used, numbers of school children and teachers who attended, and reporting back forms • Developing, facilitating and implementing outreach activities and contributing to the outreach educational programme of SAEON • Liaising with the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, provincial and district education offices, NGOs and aquatic related organisations (e.g. MCEN) in relation to the strategic goals of SAEON • Liaising with SAEON Elwandle node education officer to maintain symbiosis between nodes.

Administration Assistant
SAEON Marine Offshore Node

A dedicated candidate is required to assist with the day to day running of the node as well as inputting data to computer spreadsheets.

Requirements: • Grade 12 certificate • 2 years’ experience in administration • Administrative, organisational and interpersonal skills • Basic financial skills • Reception and switchboard skills • Computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel) • Attention to detail • Interest in long-term climate change and the ocean.

Key performance areas will include: • Undertaking general administrative and secretarial duties • Managing internal stock and assisting with staff recruitment • Managing the node diary • Transferring simple datasets from paper to computer • Facilitating functions and meetings • Taking minutes during meetings.

Applicants should submit a brief CV, including the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least three referees as well as a covering letter in support of the application. These should be either posted, faxed or e-mailed to Juliet Hermes, SAEON Marine Offshore Node, Marine and Coastal Management, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, Cape Town 8012; fax: (021) 402-3674; or e-mail: juliet@saeon.ac.za to reach us no later than 25 October 2007. Correspondence will be conducted with shortlisted candidates only. Enquiries: (021) 402-3547.