Stakeholder Relationship Manager

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Stakeholder Relationship Manager in the

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisations work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Stakeholder Relationship Manager

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for Stakeholder Relationship Manager in the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to lead local and international stakeholder engagement on behalf of the Cluster and all its impact areas in order to maximise impact to industry and its strategic key stakeholders through creating positive relationships, effective and strategic communication, understanding stakeholder objectives, managing expectations, directing the formulation of Cluster proposals, supporting contract negotiations, addressing resolution of client issues as well as supporting the delivery of projects and programmes. This is done in collaboration with teams within the cluster and elsewhere in the CSIR. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Executive Cluster Manager.

For more information about the Defence and Security Cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, establish and grow strategic relationships with key stakeholders:

• Lead and co-ordinate local and international stakeholder engagement on behalf of the Cluster and all its impact areas
• Create a shared understanding of plans, environment, direction, shared strategy, budgets, windows of opportunity for business/investment/Contract RD, etc. with stakeholders
• Establish/Replenish trust between CSIR and key stakeholders/clients.
• Lead, manage and synchronise the formulation and communication of CSIR message with respect to CSIR business, strategy, priorities, etc. and communicate these to relevant stakeholders
• Build an agile and responsive relationship that balances formal and informal means to manage the stakeholder relationships
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement Strategy

• Lead the creation, execution, monitoring and reviewing of Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and plan for the Cluster in line with the Cluster Strategy/Business Plan, (particularly engagement by the Group Executive in charge of the Division, Executive Manager of the Cluster, Impact Area Managers, Commercialisation Manager, Contract RD Managers, etc.)
• This will include:
• Identifying and arranging high value speaking/engagement opportunities/meetings/conferences/seminars/round table events/etc. for the CSIR CEO, Group Executive of the Division, Executive Manager of the Cluster, Impact Area Managers, Commercialisation Manager, etc. in line with the Cluster Strategy/Business plan.
• Co-ordinating and managing activities and engagement of various significant key account managers within the Cluster (e.g. Police, Defence, SANParks, Correctional Services, Municipalities, etc.);
• Ongoing networking with key stakeholders to gather intelligence on their policies, attitudes, priorities, current work and upcoming publications/announcements;
• Scanning of stakeholder news and environments to advise the Cluster Management team on the potential implications of events, policy decisions, stakeholder priorities, messages as well as general horizon scanning. Provide inputs to update strategy accordingly;
• Leading and managing the Cluster Communications team to prioritise how we engage with external organisations based on the changing external climate and our own strategic priorities;
• Reviewing the success of stakeholder engagement strategy on a quarterly basis (or as required) and advising team on the best way to influence stakeholders;
• Creating and managing a stakeholder database, logging our engagement with stakeholders, any outcomes or actions to be taken regarding this engagement, stakeholder priorities, etc.
  

Manage Communications to/from stakeholders

• Assess the information received from stakeholders and disseminate within team appropriately.
• Synthesis and analysis of information and context to ensure timely and appropriate resolution of (potential) issues
• Ensure key stakeholders are kept well informed of forthcoming Cluster publications/events etc.
• Lead and manage stakeholder press releases, reports and statements.
• Ensure publications/speeches/press releases by key stakeholders are read by appropriate CSIR team members and key findings clearly interpreted and disseminated to the broader team. (This will involve liaising with colleagues in the policy, evidence and analytical teams to assign a reader to key publications and ensuring that the key findings are communicated effectively to the broader team).
• Act as a first point of contact for general stakeholder queries.
  
  

Business Development

Perform Business Development In The Cluster Through The Following

• Through stakeholder engagement create/identify and realise windows of opportunity to secure Contract RD and other funding.
• Analyse, synthesise and formulate stakeholder/user requirements.
• Co-ordinate timeous meeting of User/Stakeholder and Cluster technical teams, Contract RD functions, Commercialisation, etc. to formulate solutions that meet client requirements/constraints/timelines/budgets.
• Ensure successful and timeous formulation, development and negotiation of proposals by co-ordinating efforts of the Cluster team. Undertake difficult and high-level negotiations to deliver sound commercial outcomes while driving best for customer solutions. Achieve this through working with Contract RD Managers and Impact Area Managers where needed (MR 100 Sales target).
• Ongoing engagement with stakeholder to monitor proposal progress.
• Ensure successful and timeous formulation of contracting mechanisms to secure contracts/orders.
• Ensure appropriate high-level feedback of project progress where required.
• Manage stakeholder relations through difficult project phases. Manage client expectations where required.
  
  

Leadership briefings on stakeholder matters

• Prepare/write and co-ordinate briefings for the Group Executive of the Division, Executive Manager and CSIR Executives, ahead of stakeholder meetings, e.g. meetings with Ministers or Chiefs of Arms of Service, CEOs of organisations we intend doing business with, liaising with policy and communications colleagues as necessary.
• Mentor and train all Contract RD managers and Impact Area Managers on Stakeholder Relations management.
  
  

Preparation of key strategic presentations

• Create and present bespoke presentations and speaking notes, agree on the key messages for a presentation by Executive Manager or other members of the team.
  
  

Cluster Strategy

• Support the development of the Cluster Strategy in line with stakeholder requirements and the voice of the User.
• Provide a User/Stakeholder view on relevance and currency of capabilities. This is provided through various inputs from:
• Stakeholder formal and informal engagements
• Stakeholder news and communication briefs
• Stakeholder strategy documents, policy documents, decisions, etc.
• Horizon scanning of relevant stakeholder environments
  

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Bachelors degree or equivalent NQF level 7 qualification in engineering with at least ten years working experience in stakeholder management within the defence and security environment, of which three should be at a managerial level;
• A Postgraduate degree in management would be advantageous;
• In depth understanding of the defence and security contract RD offerings;
• Experience in working with multiple internal and external stakeholders to deliver on programmes;
• Knowledge of public / private sector, change management and regulations within the defence and security sector.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple assignments and efficiently manage multiple requests for information and assistance.
• Ability to work under pressure of various deadlines
• Ability to maintain a high level of interpersonal communication between CSIR parties, external stakeholders, clients, etc.
• Demonstrated skills in building internal and external networks
• Will be required to ensure stakeholders are entertained and engaged through various activities, especially golf.
  
  

Whats in it for you?

The CSIR Offers

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• 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.
  
  

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012841 4774 or email us at [email protected]

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicants educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.