Project Manager - South Africa Hosting Infrastructure

SKA Observatory; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering global project as a Project Manager at the SKA Observatory, where you'll lead the delivery of critical infrastructure for next-generation telescopes. This role offers the chance to work in a multinational environment, collaborating with top scientists and engineers to drive innovation in astrophysics. Your expertise in project management, fibre networks, and data centres will be vital in ensuring the successful execution of construction work packages. Be part of a diverse and inclusive team, contributing to one of the most ambitious scientific endeavors of the 21st century, where your efforts will help shape the future of astronomical research.

Qualifications

• University degree in project management or engineering required.
• Experience in managing high tech projects and contract management.

Responsibilities

• Manage the delivery of construction work packages for the SKA-Mid Telescope.
• Lead a medium-sized team and ensure quality of infrastructure deliveries.

Skills

Project Management

Contract Management

Communication Skills

Team Leadership

Risk Assessment

Stakeholder Engagement

Budget Management

Education

University degree in project management or engineering

Professional project or programme management qualification

Tools

NEC Contracts

Project Management Software

Job description

At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.

More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.

Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.

SKAO is looking for a passionate and innovative project manager to deliver key long haul networks infrastructure and partner with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) to deliver the Science Processing Centre facility in Cape Town. Applicants with a background in fibre networks and modular data centres, particularly those with experience with deploying the civil enabling infrastructure for these facilities, are encouraged to apply!

The Role

The Project Manager - Host Country Infrastructure will manage and support the procurement and delivery of the following construction work packages for the SKA-Mid Telescope:

• Construction of the dark fibre link from Carnarvon to Beaufort West which forms part of the long haul data link used to transfer scientific data from the Mid telescope in the Karoo desert to Cape Town.
• Fibre cabling and connectivity for the Central Processing Facility and Science Processing Centre.

This role will be reporting initially to the SKA-Mid Senior Project Manager.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties

• Manage the delivery of assigned construction work packages for the SKA-Mid Telescope, complying with relevant legislation, policies and frameworks.
• Support the SKA Site Construction Director in their role as key liaison with SARAO and other collaborating entities in South Africa to ensure the timeliness and quality of host country infrastructure deliveries.
• Lead and manage a medium sized team within the SKA matrix framework, with a number of activities overseen and integrated.
• Assess safety, environmental, reputational and financial risks associated with programmes/projects/portfolios, recommend corrective actions and report to senior management in order to ensure risks are understood and appropriate action is taken.
• Manage whole contracts and work packages through to successful completion, forming a link between SKAO and the contractors.
• Manage project quality reviews in order to identify, assess and take action to mitigate risks to project success.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to gain buy in and to deliver assigned part of programmes/projects and support effective collaboration.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• University degree in project management, engineering or the built environment, or equivalent experience, supported by a relevant professional project or programme management qualification.
• Experience of commissioning and managing high tech projects to deliver measurable and visible outcomes for the client.
• Experience in contract management and associated procedures and processes.
• Knowledge of the technical specialisms being managed (data centres, fibre networks, electrical installations).
• Experience of monitoring, planning and managing to an agreed budget within a defined area, producing reports and analysis.
• Experience working with international teams.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence behaviours of internal and external stakeholders at all seniority levels.
• Flexible team player who is adaptable to change.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge or experience of NEC type of contracts.
• Experience of system engineering processes.
• Experience in large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Experience in managing delivery in multi-disciplinary, multi-national projects.
• Industry experience and/or a track record in successful collaboration with industry.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.

SKA Observatory welcomes all candidates, especially those from member countries.

The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.