Liaison Officer: Thematic Grants at NRF National Research Foundation

National Research Foundation; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Research Foundation is looking for a Liaison Officer for Thematic Research Support and Advancement. This role involves managing grant activities, stakeholder engagement, and providing technical administrative support in alignment with NRF's goals. Ideal candidates will have a solid background in research, excellent communication skills, and experience in administration within the South African Higher Education sector.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years in a research-related environment with technical office administration experience.
• Knowledge of the South African Higher Education System and NRF mandate.

Responsibilities

• Manage grant administration including applications, reviews, and monitoring.
• Support unit activities and departmental goals aligned with NRF Vision 2030.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and respond to inquiries.

Skills

Stakeholder liaison

Financial administration

Problem-solving

Time management

Excellent writing

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma / NQF Level 7

Tools

MS Office suite

Job description

Position Summary:
The National Research Foundation (NRF) seeks to appoint a Liaison Officer: Thematic Research Support and Advancement within the Research, Innovation and Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA). Reporting to the Manager: Thematic Research, the incumbent will support the development and implementation of thematic research grants at South African public universities, science councils, and national research facilities. Activities include pre- and post-grant processes to promote research and human capacity development across all fields of science and technology, including humanities, social sciences, and indigenous knowledge, aligned with the NRF mandate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of unit activities
• Assist the department and Manager in achieving goals outlined in the Annual Performance Plan aligned with NRF's Vision 2030
• Manage end-to-end grant administration, including call for applications, review, evaluation, awarding, and monitoring
• Provide technical administrative support, such as preparing presentations and managing spreadsheets for meetings and funding decisions
• Draft internal reports and documents supporting departmental activities
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities, including meetings, workshops, and conferences
• Participate in departmental meetings, seminars, and institutional visits
• Act as a liaison between NRF and institutional grants officers, maintaining positive relationships
• Respond to stakeholder inquiries professionally and promptly
• Support NRF Connect communications with applicants, grantees, and research administrators
• Assist with grant review processes and financial administration, including transactions and budget adjustments in collaboration with the finance department
• Administer grant awards, releases, and adjustments
• Address audit queries efficiently and support monitoring and evaluation of funded projects
• Participate in the evaluation of funding instruments

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma / NQF Level 7

Minimum Experience:

• 2-5 years in a research-related environment with technical office administration experience

Desired Skills and Knowledge:

• Stakeholder liaison and financial administration skills
• Excellent writing and interpersonal skills in English
• Problem-solving and time management abilities
• Proficiency in MS Office suite
• Knowledge of the South African Higher Education System and NRF mandate

Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV and a motivation letter via the NRF Recruitment Portal, including contact details of at least three referees.