Job Description

Join the HSRC and Lead Transformative Research at the Frontier of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Science, technology and innovation (STI) have become increasingly important drivers of social and economic change. The Research Development and Science Innovation (RDSI) division is dedicated to measuring and understanding STI and social dynamics. It integrates expertise from across the organisation in response to this significant area of policy-related research. The new division brings together a centre focused on Science in Society (SIS), and the DSTI-mandated Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII).
The HSRC is looking for a dynamic individual to direct, plan, organise, and coordinate the activities of the Research Development and Science Innovation Division. The individual will lead a team in building a reputation for globally recognised and locally relevant research excellence and policy engagement, focused on measuring and maximising the societal benefits of science, technology and innovation. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this position is based in Pretoria and oversees the activities in the three HSRC locations.
DIVISIONAL EXECUTIVE: RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND SCIENCE INNOVATION
(Ref. No: DE- RDSI:005/2025)
5-year contract - PRETORIA BASED
The successful candidate will actively engage in the following:

• Strategic Planning and Leadership
• Delivery of the HSRC's Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan targets as cascaded to the
• Financial Management of the Division's
• Innovative Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Development
• People Management within the
• Stakeholder and Customer Relationship
• Risk and Compliance

Minimum Requirements

• A doctoral degree (PhD) in any relevant field such as Social Sciences, Innovation Studies, Information Science, Economics, Public Policy, or related disciplines.
• At least 10 years of senior-level experience, including 5 years or more in a strategic leadership role in a research, academic, public policy, or research innovation environment. Experience in government, multilateral organisations, think tanks, or industry is also welcome.
• Proven track record in interdisciplinary research and policy engagement, preferably related to STI, digital transformation, or inclusive development.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale research initiatives, evidence-to-policy programmes, or indicator development.
• Strong publishing profile and/or demonstrable impact on public policy or practice.

Additional requirements:

• Excellent networking skills and experience in working with senior policy makers and decision
• A track record of leading large-scale quantitative and/or qualitative research studies with demonstrable impact outcomes.
• Experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Assessment of
• Above average writing skills with a publication record of high-impact refereed journal articles, reports and briefing
• Personal qualities that include intellectual and personal integrity, imagination, drive, and the ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Leadership qualities that include humility, commitment to excellence, strategic advisory experience, the ability to work as part of an executive team and to lead multidisciplinary
• Advanced business and commercial acumen.
• Excellent computer literacy, including a knowledge of contemporary ways of communicating research

Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic and Thought Leadership
• Shape and implement a forward-looking strategy aligned with the HSRC's strategic objectives.
• Lead transformative, interdisciplinary research programmes that measure and evaluate STI and its societal impacts.
• Develop and lead initiatives to foster digital inclusion, public understanding of science, and innovation for inclusive development.
• Research and Policy Influence
• Oversee national surveys on research and development, innovation in formal and informal sectors, and STI capability assessments.
• Promote science-policy-public engagement and international collaboration.
• Publish influential research outputs and policy-relevant knowledge products.
• Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation
• Build strategic partnerships across government, higher education, industry, civil society, and global networks.
• Drive resource mobilisation through grant acquisition and contract research aligned to the strategic agenda.
• Operational and People Management
• Ensure excellence in financial, project, and human resource management.
• Cultivate a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive team.
• Develop and oversee annual plans, budgets, and monitoring frameworks.

The HSRC offers fixed salary packages and other attractive benefits for executive positions. Applicants must be South African citizens.
The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of its staff who are black, female or persons with disabilities
Application Procedure
Please register and submit your application online at
Application Instructions:

• Applicants must submit a comprehensive updated CV and a certified copy of their ID.
• A cover motivation letter should be submitted in support of the
• The details of three recent referees (with telephone and e-mail contact details);
• Links to up to three of your peer-reviewed journal articles or an example of recent academic work (not exceeding 8000 words); and

Neptune platform applications:

• Candidates can make use of their mobile devices or any browser to register on the Neptune recruitment site, as well as to make an application for available vacancies;
• Candidates will be prompted to upload their documents;
• Attachments must be less than 1MB, there is an on-screen option to resize;
• The Neptune system will only allow you to upload 1 Please ensure that all documents are merged into 1 file before uploading.

The HSRC will only consider applications that comply with the above requirements. Applicants will be required to undertake an oral presentation on the competencies required for the position.
All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a full background check.
For further information about the HSRC, advert or the post and not for sending applications, please e-mail Marizane Rousseau at . You can further consult our website ( ).
Closing date: 15 August 2025. We encourage applicants to submit before the closing date. If you do not receive any response from us within eight weeks, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Only candidates who are interviewed will be advised of the outcome of their application.
The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.
APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.