Senior Technology Officer

Key Responsibilities

Management/Administrative: 

• Ensures that all official obligations are met, by arranging meetings, conferences and ensuring that all relevant parties are advised and arrangements are made;
• Provides the necessary administrative support to ensure effective management of the NCST; 
• Keeps record of all deadlines that have to be met and important matters that have been discussed, bringing them to the attention of the Executive Director and interfacing with the officers and departments concerned, to ensure completion; 
• Handles the daily administrative functions of the Secretariat and manages the timelines for all upcoming projects, issues, and reports and commitments; 
• Reviews and summarizes reports and documents; 
• Works closely with other members of staff to manage the NCST’s documentation and records management process, in compliance with existing guidelines/regulations. 

Technical/Professional: 

• Assists in identifying opportunities for private and public sector partnerships for the development of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) initiatives; 
• Liaises with various Science and Technology (S&T) institutions, government ministries and private sector organizations, in collating and cross-referencing activities towards developing a comprehensive picture of the application and improvement of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI); 
• Liaises with the member bodies of the Commission, Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport on matters relating to the NCST; 
• Publicizes the activities of the Commission, its programmes, achievements and goals, to inform stakeholders and the public of the work of the Commission and important factors influencing its mission; 
• Assists in the designing, monitoring and evaluation of inputs and results in determining the effectiveness of decisions impacting the Commission’s work; 
• Works jointly with Executive Director and Director of Research to develop research needs relating to Science and Technology; 
• Develops research proposals to meet research needs; 
• Keeps abreast of policies/best practices influencing STI objectives and new developments and trends in the field; 
• Executes general administrative functions in the day to day management of the secretariat
• Reviews and analyses data provided by Research Officer, as well as other existing research, as a tool for fulfilling the mandates of the Commission; 
• Provides technical advice, guidance and support to professionals within the S&T community; 
• Reviews and analyzes policy documents, and prepares policy reviews and recommendations; 
• Provides assistance in the co-ordination and monitoring of S&T projects;
• Manages activities and outreach geared towards achieving the Commission’s mission in a consistent and timely manner;
• Convenes advisory committees, summarizes outcomes and ensures implementation;
• Represents the Commission and makes presentations at committees, seminars, conferences, technical workshops, as directed by Executive Director; 
• Assists with the preparation and monitoring of the Commission’s budget;
• Fulfills mission-related tasks and activities, as directed by the Executive Director. 

Human Resource 

• Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares performance appraisals and recommend and/or initiates corrective action, where necessary to improve performance and/or attaining established personal and/or organisational goals; 
• Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching; 
• Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Division/Unit and recommends transfer, promotion, termination and leave in accordance with established human resource policies and procedures; 
• Ensures that direct reports are aware of, and adhere to the policies, procedures and regulations of the Division and the Ministry; 
• Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Division’s and organisation’s goals. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Good oral and written communication skills 
• Good customer and quality focus 
• Team work and co-operation 
• Good interpersonal skills 
• Compliance 
• Integrity 
• Change management 
• Takes initiative 
• Good Problem solving and decision making 
• Good Analytical thinking (and skills) 

Functional: 

• Use of technology (relevant computer applications such as MS Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook) 
• Managing external relationships 
• Strategic vision 
• Impact and Influence 
• People Management 
• Change management 
• Goal/result oriented 
• Planning and organizing (inclusive of program development, task facilitation and logics)
• Managing external relationships 
• Demonstrable ability to oversee staff and collaborations 
• Knowledgeable of the NCST Act, National Policy on Science Technology and Innovation and other relevant policies 
• Ability to function in a multidisciplinary environment 
• Demonstrable research skill and experience 
• Excellent note taking skills 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Advanced Degree or Post Graduate training in the Natural Sciences, International Development, Social Sciences, or a relevant sustainable development field;
• Training and/or experience in Management, Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) activities, or relevant professional activities; 
• At least three (3) years’ relevant experience and work in the scientific community, in the development of networks and partnerships. 

OR 

• Undergraduate Degree in Natural Sciences/Engineering or related field;
• Training and/or experience in Management, Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) activities, or relevant professional activities; 
• Three (5) years’ overall relevant experience in the promotion of technical/scientific information, and executing conferences, workshops and seminars at the national level, a portion of which should be at a senior level. 
• Experience in: 
  • Budget preparation, reporting and fiscal management; 
  • Formulating policy and the implementation of new strategies and procedures;
  • Organizing and co-ordinating projects; 
  • Interfacing and engaging diverse groups; 
  • Conducting research for policy level strategic implementation; 
  • Proposal and grant writing. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• May be required to travel in the performance of official duties; 
• May be required to work beyond normal working hours. 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.