Chief Officer: Programme Assistant

SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 483,000 - 591,000; Full time

Job summary

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) invites applications for a Programme Assistant (C) within the SHIP Programme in the GIPD Division. Reporting to SHIP Senior Programme Managers, you will provide administrative, operational, financial, and stakeholder liaison support to ensure effective SHIP implementation.

Key responsibilities include coordinating programme reports, maintaining records, budget support, meetings, travel, procurement, and liaison with internal units.

Qualifications

• 3-year tertiary qualification as described in core requirements.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in secretarial & office management, public administration, or project management with scheduling for two managers or more, procurement, financial administration and event coordination.
• Advantageous: Certificate in Financial Administration and/or Supply Chain Administration.
• Advantageous: PFMA familiarity; JDE Financial Management System experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate preparation of programme reports, proposals, concept notes, and funder submissions.
• Maintain programme records, databases, contracts, and document management systems.
• Coordinate collection and validation of programme outputs and activities for reporting and audit purposes.
• Support budget monitoring, invoice tracking, payments, and contract renewal processes.
• Ensure accurate filing and record-keeping of programme and project documentation.
• Provide diary and calendar management for programme managers.
• Coordinate meetings, workshops, steering committee meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
• Arrange travel, accommodation, venues, catering, and meeting logistics.
• Process procurement requests, payment requests, and travel claims in accordance with SAMRC policies.
• Liaise with internal support units, including Finance, Supply Chain Management, Legal Services, Communications, and Events Management.
• Assist with stakeholder communication materials, including reports, presentations, newsletters, and website content

Education

3-year tertiary qualification in business management, public administration, secretarial, office management or verified alternative equivalent on NQF6

Job description

Chief Officer: Programme Assistant
South African Medical Research Council
2026/11/02 Cape Town

Job Reference Number: R990A
Department: Grants Innovation and Product Development Directorate
Business Unit:
Industry: Academic
Job Type: Contract
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) invites applications for a Programme Assistant (C) position within the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships (SHIP) Programme in the Grants, Innovation and Product Development (GIPD) Division.

Job Description

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) invites applications for a Programme Assistant (C) position within the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships (SHIP) Programme in the Grants, Innovation and Product Development (GIPD) Division.

Reporting to the SHIP Senior Programme Managers, the successful candidate will provide administrative, operational, financial, and stakeholder liaison support to ensure the effective implementation of SHIP programmes and strategic initiatives, including national and international research and innovation partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Administration

• Coordinate the preparation of programme reports, presentations, proposals, concept notes, and funder submissions.
• Maintain programme records, databases, contracts, and document management systems.
• Coordinate the collection and validation of programme outputs and activities for reporting and audit purposes.
• Support budget monitoring, invoice tracking, payments, and contract renewal processes.
• Ensure accurate filing and record-keeping of programme and project documentation.

Administrative Support

• Provide diary and calendar management for programme managers.
• Coordinate meetings, workshops, steering committee meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
• Arrange travel, accommodation, venues, catering, and meeting logistics.
• Process procurement requests, payment requests, and travel claims in accordance with SAMRC policies and procedures.
• Liaise with internal support units, including Finance, Supply Chain Management, Legal Services, Communications, and Events Management.

Stakeholder Liason

• Support the planning and coordination of stakeholder meetings and events.
• Maintain stakeholder databases and participant records.
• Prepare and distribute agendas, meeting packs, minutes, and action trackers.
• Assist with the development of stakeholder communication materials, including reports, presentations, newsletters, and website content

Duration:

3 year contract

Remuneration:

R537 033 per annum, cost to company

Job Requirements

Core Requirements:

• 3-year tertiary qualification in business management, public administration, secretarial, office management or verified alternative equivalent on NQF6
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in secretarial & office management, public administration, or project management with experience in managing scheduling for two managers or more, experience in procurement, financial administration and event coordination

Advantageous:

• Certificate in Financial Administration and/or Supply Chain Administration
• Experience working in a public funding and/or research environment or similar
• Experience of working within the prescripts of the PFMA
• Experience with the JDE Financial Management System and financial administration

Closing Date:

11 November 2026