The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) is an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture tasked with an overall legislative mandate to identify, assess, manage, protect, and promote heritage resources in South Africa. SAHRA invites suitably qualified individuals for the following vacancy.

MAIN PURPOSE: 

To coordinate and manage at a National level and where appropriate at Provincial level, the functions of the Archaeology, Paleontology and Meteorites Unit, as it relates to the identification, protection, conservation and management of South Africa’s archaeological, paleontological and meteorites heritage resources

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:

Implementation of Heritage Legislation

• Identify and draft Heritage Management Policy, guidelines, regulations and criteria for Archaeology, Paleontology and Meteorites
• Oversee the implementation of these policies, guidelines, regulations and criteria.
• Oversee that Heritage Officers conduct research and identify Heritage resources.
• Oversee the updating of this information on the database.
• Ensure Inventory of National Estate is updated.
• Permitting of activities under the National Heritage Resources Act.
• Oversee the monitoring of Heritage sites and activities.
• Conduct site visits
• Ensure report is written on visits.
• Provide professional guidance to public and other bodies.
• Advise the Heritage Community and relevant stakeholders on Archaeology, Paleontology and Meteorites; policies, ethics, standards etc.
• Report to Inspectorate on offences committed under the National Heritage Resources Act.

Research and Promote Archaeology, Paleontology and Meteorites

• Ensure promotional material developed e.g. pamphlets, brochures, publications.
• Attend both national and international conferences.
• Work within Southern African Development Community region to promote Archaeology, Paleontology and Meteorites and to build capacity.
• Build partnerships with communities and other stakeholders (e.g. Department of Environment Affairs, Mineral Resources Departments and local authorities).
• Research and write at least one publication per year

Implement International Conventions and Charters

• Liaise with Department of Arts & Culture and act as Department of Arts and Culture’s implementing agency      for United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture World Heritage convention.
• Establish partnerships with International counterparts.
• Ensure the implementation of the International Council on Monuments and Sites Charter.
• Provide input and suggestions on the development of National regulatory frameworks.

Operational Planning and Management 

• Identify programmes to support SAHRA’s strategic objectives and Annual Performance Plan.
• Work with the Heritage Conservation Management division to develop an Operational plan for the Unit.
• Align operational plan to budget.
• Define project risks and benefits to SAHRA.
• Quarterly reporting to Heritage Conservation Management Executive and drafting of the Archaeology, Paleontology and Meteorites annual report.
• Monitor and manage progress on programmes and projects.
• Develop for approval and ensure the effective implementation of Unit objectives and strategies.
• Ensure field work is undertaken safely and according to regulations.
• Ensure safety of equipment and used correctly.

Project Management

• Develop project plans outlining timeframes, resources and milestones.
• Implement and manage project roll out.
• Monitor and track performance against project plan.

People Management

• Identify responsibilities of Heritage Officers for various tasks and projects.
• Identify performance indicators and draft performance contracts for staff.
• Conduct quarterly performance reviews.
• Oversee and monitor their performance
• Provide support and input to heritage Officers.
• Coach, mentor and train Unit staff
• Manage employee relations within the unit.

Financial Management

• Develop Unit’s budget.
• Manage costs and expenditure against budget of the Unit.
• Manage costs and expenditure of project funds received from outside funders.
• Develop procurement plans.

Serve in Management Committees

• Serve in management committees to ensure compliance to other regulatory frameworks e.g. risk, bid evaluation, MANCO, council.
• Write reports on risk for Unit. 

KEY REQUIREMENTS

At least a Master’s degree in one of the following disciplines. Archaeology or Paleontology, preferably with a focus on Heritage Resources Management. Minimum of 5 years’ work experience in the Archeology or Paleontology discipline, including 2 years’ work experience at a managerial level.

Other skills required:

• Heritage Resources Management
• Heritage Legislation
• Safety Management
• Geographical Information Systems
• Graphics skills

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.  Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

NUMERICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

LICENSES: A valid Code EB (08) driver’s license.

Computer Skill: Computer literacy with regard to the use of Excel, Word and Power Point. Geographical Information Systems and Graphics skills also required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is:

• Regularly required to stand and walk.
• Regularly required to sit.
• Often to talk and hear.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Closing Date: 10 February 2017

Job Level: D1  Paterson

Applications must be accompanied by a detailed CV with contact details of three referees and certified copies of 1) relevant qualifications; 2) driver’s license and 3) Identity Document.

Please note that SAHRA is an Equal Opportunities Employer. SAHRA reserves the right not to make an appointment. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply and an indication in this regard would be appreciated.

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