Programme Manager

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR · Pretoria, Gauteng

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About the job

The CSIR has a vacancy for Programme Manager: Critical Minerals Programme in the Mining Cluster. The mining Cluster is seeking a Programme Manager to join their leadership team, the successful candidate will provide executive, strategic, and operational leadership for the 3-year Technology Innovation Agency TIA Critical Minerals Programme CAMP.
Reporting to the CSIR Mining Cluster Executive Manager and Steering Committee, the incumbent heads the Programme Management Office, supervising the Business Development Practitioner and Administrator, while leading a multi-disciplinary team across critical mineral value chains. Key objectives include technology advancement, ecosystem building, digital and sustainable innovation, and programme governance.
This position is based in Pretoria and reports to Executive Cluster Manager - CSIR Future Production: Mining

Implement and adapt the 3-Year Business Plan and develop a medium- to long-term strategy for the sustainability of the Critical Minerals Programme CAMP;
Structure and operate the Programme Management Office PMO systems, establishing Systems Engineering Management Plans SEMP and project execution frameworks;
Direct and supervise the daily activities of the BD Practitioner and Programme Administrator;
Ensure alignment of programme deliverables with national strategies e.g. Critical Minerals Strategy, DSTI Decadal Plan, National Development Plan.;
Oversee the Operational and Technical working teams Researchers and SMMEs and the Judging Panel.
Attract multiple funding streams across public and private sector partners with the Business Development Practitioner.

Serve as the primary operational secretariat to the Programme Steering Committee and the Technical Advisory Board;
Prepare and present technical progress reports and meeting packs for the Steering Committees, Technical Advisory Board and for the Client;

Oversee the development of proposal documentation for collaborative RDI projects and grant applications;
Develop and present proposals to potential collaborators and funders;
Oversee the contracting of projects from inception, through routing and sign-off.

Strategically manage the overall programme 3-Year Budget in strict compliance with the PFMA;
Oversee line-item expenditures, financial auditing, budget reallocations, income declarations, and milestone-based SMME grant drawdowns with CSIR/TIA finance teams;
Align multiple funding streams across public and private sector partners.

Oversee the parallel execution of Phase 1 Strategic Assessments 7 Critical Minerals, Phase 2 SMME Acceleration, and Phase 3 Digital Platform development;
Ensure technical quality assurance on all situation sketches, gap analysis reports, and field pilot trial protocols;
Drive the achievement of host mine trial targets energy, safety, decarbonisation, ESG.

Build and maintain a strong stakeholder network across government, science councils, universities, and industry;
Actively participate in stakeholder forums and conferences related to Critical Minerals and mining technologies;
Secure mine access agreements with mining houses for real-world technology testing;
Strategically identify and enable coordination of marketing, research and awareness activities;
Stimulate and manage project pipeline development, create opportunities to profile the programme in national and international events
Provide know-how regarding other investments existing in the related technical areas and write motivation reports for investment decisions.

Enforce strict compliance with the IPR-PFRD Act 51 of 2008, supervising the execution of licensing and benefit-sharing deals;
Position CAMP as a long-term national platform, actively pitching to crowd-in follow-on capital from DFIs IDC, DBSA, NEF, international donors World Bank, IFC, EU, and mining houses;
Promote transformation by ensuring equitable grant access for black-, women-, and youth-owned technology SMMEs.

Master's Degree NQF 9 or studying towards in Engineering Mining, Metallurgy, Chemical, Mechanical or Physical/Chemical Sciences.
Registered or eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer ECSA or Professional Natural Scientist SACNASP will be advantageous.
At least 10 years' progressive experience in managing large-scale, multi-disciplinary technical, or R&D programmes within a national system of innovation, mining, or state-owned environment.
Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership capacity managing professional project managers, technical leads, and multi-disciplinary teams.
Demonstrated track record in managing public-sector funding portfolios exceeding R30 million under the Public Finance Management Act PFMA.
Proven track record of successfully establishing, running, or scaling national or international technology programmes.
Substantive experience reporting to executive boards, steering committees, or ministerial stakeholders.
All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority SAQA.

In-depth knowledge of mining sector trends, critical minerals PGMs, Manganese, Chrome, Copper, etc., and mining technologies and innovations.
Mastery of project management systems, Systems Engineering Management Plan SEMP frameworks, financial auditing, income forecasting, and PFMA compliance.
Board Governance & Lobbying: Exceptional capability to operate governance structures, manage conflicting funder requirements, and lobby government/industry for strategic alignment.
Strong understanding of technology readiness TRL, commercial due diligence, valuation, and the IPR-PFRD Act 51 of 2008.
Demonstrates an established entrepreneurial mindset, strategic vision, and decisive leadership with the resilience, high emotional intelligence, and executive diplomacy needed to navigate complex public-private ecosystems while maintaining uncompromised ethical integrity and PFMA compliance.
Excellent technical writing and presentation skills, with attention to detail.

What's in it for you?

Learning and development opportunities.
Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

Closing date: 23 September 2026