Specialist: Industry Engagement
National Research Foundation
The NRF is a well-established organisation that is highly networked within the National Science System, and internationally. It is the principal organisation responsible for the promotion of the national research enterprise and is the primary public funder of postgraduate students and researchers as well as a provider of research infrastructure in the country. It has well-developed, best practice research evaluation, grant funding and support systems.
Position: Specialist: Industry Engagement
Business Unit: Industry Engagement
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
Position Summary
The NRF seeks to appoint a Specialist: Industry Engagement to drive the development, implementation, piloting and monitoring of strategic industry engagement programmes. The position will play a critical role in strengthening partnerships between the NRF, industry and other strategic stakeholders, mobilising resources and investment, identifying opportunities for collaborative research and innovation, and facilitating the translation of research outputs into tangible economic and societal value.
Key Responsibilities
Coordination and leadership.
Support the fundraising and industry engagement projects and initiatives of the NRF & Directorate.
Designing and implementing tailored NRF fundraising value propositions aimed at industry partners.
Play a key role in identifying, negotiating, and managing NRF contracts with industry and private stakeholders.
Explore the potential for support and participation by the South African research community at all stages of the execution of programmes and projects.
Liaise with other business units of the NRF on issues of project and programme delivery linked to industry stakeholders.
Oversee the piloting of joint programmes with industry stakeholders, with view of increasing impact and funding.
Manage and support industry partnerships.
Support fundraising guidance and strategic planning.
Conceptualisation, resourcing and developing documents
Support the division the Director and ED in stakeholder engagements.
Develop industry funding and partnership proposals in accordance with NRF policies, ensuring that plans for impact assessment and tracking are incorporated at the inception stage.
Prepare relevant project documents and reports, including for approval.
Provide inputs to strategic, contractual and policy documents.
Identify and address risks, challenges, and opportunities central to the success of the Directorate.
Business intelligence
Use business intelligence to develop programmes aligned with industry needs and funding opportunities.
Use business intelligence to support the NRF to achieve the specific goals and objectives defined, aligned to vision.
Support the effective development, implementation and review of plans, systems, policies and processes.
Stakeholder engagement
Cultivation and naturing partnerships.
Manage and support industry partnerships.
Lead coordination of management and development meetings with stakeholders.
Participate in stakeholder engagement and support efforts.
Provide stakeholder insights to support NRF teams for meetings with stakeholders.
Coordinate and lead teams to deliver on the mandate of the NRF.
Sharing knowledge dissemination, reporting, and communications.
Qualification
Honors degree
Preferably Masters and MBA
Experience
Fundraising experience.
Research management and administration experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Industry engagement
Closing Date: Wednesday, 28 Oct 2026
The NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities. Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant's suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.
