Chief Information Officer at Council for Geoscience (CGS)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

• Provides strategic leadership within area of responsibility.
• Contributes substantively to the CGS’s strategy, planning and reporting processes.
• Provides strategic support to the CGS, CEO and the senior management team.
• Participates as a member of CGS executive management team in the drafting and formulation of the CGS strategic plan in moving forward with advances in technology and methods of processing and managing information.
• Develops strategies to improve the efficiency and efficacy of technological initiatives across the CGS.
• Develops and formulates overall ICT divisional strategy and annual performance plan which comprise of the following portfolios:
• Information, Knowledge and Technology.
• Intellectual Property.
• Develops overall corporate technology-related policies and/or proposals within the ICT field and recommends and presents these to the Board for approval.

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

ICT service delivery & support

• Directs and oversees the delivery of efficient and responsive ICT services to support CGS business operations.
• Facilitates timely implementation of ICT services aligned with business needs.
• Ensures optimal performance of technological infrastructure, including networks and computer systems.
• Leads and manages ICT-related projects from planning to execution.

Leadership & team management

• Provides effective leadership and motivation to the ICT division, ensuring alignment with CGS’s strategic goals.
• Cultivates a values-driven culture that promotes performance, accountability, and innovation.
• Guides and develops ICT staff through strategic direction and mentorship.
• Manages ICT operations within approved budgetary limits, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial control.

Technology planning & implementation

• Selects and implements appropriate technologies to streamline internal operations and enhance strategic value.
• Designs and customises ICT systems and platforms to improve the stakeholder (internal and external) experience.
• Approves procurement of ICT hardware, software, and related services; manages vendor partnerships.
• Ensure system compatibility, integration of legacy systems, and scalability across the ICT ecosystem.

Cybersecurity, risk, and compliance

• Oversee the design and implementation of comprehensive cybersecurity strategies.
• Conducts regular ICT risk assessments and implements robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant legislation and regulatory standards, including those related to data privacy, integrity, and system availability.

Strategic technology management

• Monitors and evaluates technological advancements to identify opportunities for competitive advantage.
• Analyses ICT-related costs, benefits, and risks; provides informed recommendations to executive leadership.
• Ensures strategic alignment of ICT architecture and services with CGS business objectives and legislative mandates.

Information, knowledge & intellectual property management

• Supports the strategic management of information, knowledge assets, and intellectual property within the organisation.
• Ensures effective data governance and analytics frameworks are in place to support decision-making

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (PFMA) and exercise proper financial control within the limits of the budget allocation of the CGS.
• Promotes and ensures adherence to budget guidelines and long-term financial viability of the CGS.
• Promotes and ensure compliance with the CGS supply chain management policy and processes.

STAKEHOLDER/CLIENT RELATIONS

• Establishes and maintains appropriate stakeholder relations
• Communicate with key clients and other stakeholders on their needs and resolve and respond to their queries.
• Interact with  service providers to ensure SLAs have been met and contracts managed appropriately.
• Promptly shares and exchanges knowledge/information.

QUALITY ASSURANCE & MANAGEMENT

• Ensure accreditation with ISO standards within the ICT division.
• Ensure implementation and compliance with the approved ISO standards and processes across the ICT division.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Ten (10) years management experience of which five (5) years must be at senior management level.
• Proven experience of ICT governance frameworks, enterprise architecture, and cybersecurity
• Excellent knowledge of ICT systems and infrastructure.
• Knowledge and/or working experience in the management and administration of Information Technology.
• Understanding of the scientific research environment.
• Proven experience and knowledge of public sector ICT compliance (PFMA, Treasury Regulations, POPIA, ISO standards)
• Substantive understanding of commercial, operations and all other drivers of performance.
• Extensive experience in managing large-scale ICT budgets and vendor contracts
• Strong background in designing/developing ICT systems and planning implementation
• A proven multi-organisational exposure.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Grade 12 and,
• B-Degree in Information and Technology or equivalent.
• Relevant Post graduate qualification will be an added advantage.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g. ITIL, COBIT, TOGAF, CISSP, PMP) will be added advantage.