Senior Project Coordinator

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Part time

Job summary

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria invites applications for a Senior Project Coordinator on a six‑month fixed term contract. You will support renewable energy and green hydrogen initiatives, oversee planning, scheduling, budgeting and risk management, and report to the Research Group Leader.

Join a multidisciplinary team driving South Africa's sustainable energy transition by delivering complex projects on time and within budget, coordinating stakeholders from

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with at least five years' project coordination experience.
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary projects.
• Experience with budgets, schedules and reports.
• Experience engaging with senior executives and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of renewable energy and hydrogen technologies is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate renewable energy and green hydrogen projects from initiation to close-out.
• Develop project management plans, schedules, budgets and risk registers.
• Organise governance and team structures with defined roles and deliverables.
• Deliver projects on scope, budget, and schedule while meeting quality standards.
• Support cross‑functional teams and external partners across boundaries.
• Prepare progress reports and communicate performance and risks to stakeholders.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure compliance with financial procedures.
• Assist in preparing proposals and funding applications.

Skills

Project coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting and financial management

Risk management

Communication in English

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science or related field

Postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Science, Energy Studies or Project Management

Job description

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Senior Project Coordinator (six months contract)

About The Job

The CSIR has a fixed term contract vacancy for a Senior Project Coordinator in the Energy Supply and Demand Research Group within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institution (NGEI) cluster. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, ensuring effective project planning, coordination, stakeholder engagement, financial management, risk management and delivery of agreed project outputs. The role will support research, development and innovation (RDI), technology demonstration and the implementation of projects that contribute to South Africa's sustainable energy transition. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to Research Group Leader.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate renewable energy and green hydrogen projects from initiation to close-out, ensuring that project plans, requirements, deliverables and business cases are regularly reviewed and remain achievable, viable and aligned with project objectives.
• Contribute to the conceptualisation, development and planning of new projects in renewable energy, green hydrogen and related sustainable energy technologies.
• Develop and maintain project management plans, schedules, budgets, risk registers, resource plans and monitoring and evaluation frameworks to support effective project implementation.
• Organise project governance and team structures, defining roles, responsibilities, deliverables and accountabilities.
• Deliver projects on scope, within budget and on schedule, ensuring that agreed quality standards and contractual requirements are met.
• Support multidisciplinary project teams and stakeholders, including researchers, engineers, technical specialists, industry partners, government departments, funding agencies and academic institutions.
• Facilitate regular internal and external project meetings, prepare progress reports and communicate project performance, risks, challenges and corrective actions to relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor project expenditure, cash flow, resource utilisation and financial performance, ensuring compliance with CSIR financial management procedures, funder requirements and contractual obligations.
• Support the preparation of project proposals, business cases, funding applications, technical submissions and project implementation plans for renewable energy and green hydrogen initiatives.
• Coordinate project activities across relevant energy technology areas, including solar photovoltaic (PV), wind energy, energy storage, thermal energy systems, green hydrogen production and utilisation, and power-to-X technologies, where applicable.
• Coordinate research, engineering, technology demonstration, testing and validation activities, ensuring that technical work packages are implemented according to agreed milestones and deliverables.
• Facilitate the procurement of project equipment, services and technical resources, working with relevant CSIR support functions to ensure compliance with procurement procedures and project timelines.
• Identify, assess and manage project risks and dependencies, including technical, financial, operational, procurement, regulatory and stakeholder-related risks.
• Track project performance against agreed key performance indicators (KPIs), milestones and deliverables, and implement corrective actions where required.
• Coordinate the preparation of technical reports, management reports, presentations and project close-out documentation, ensuring that project outcomes and lessons learned are appropriately documented.
• Support technology transfer, industry collaboration and the development of opportunities for the commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies.
• Provide advice and guidance to project participants, facilitate information exchange and coordinate activities across organisational and geographical boundaries.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Project Management or a related field, with at least five years of project coordination, administration or project management experience, preferably in renewable energy, hydrogen, energy systems, engineering, infrastructure or research and development projects.
• A postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Science, Energy Studies, Renewable Energy, Hydrogen Technologies or Project Management would be advantageous.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary projects and stakeholders.
• Experience maintaining project plans, budgets, schedules and reports.
• Understanding renewable energy, hydrogen or energy systems projects.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and organisational skills
• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining project plans, schedules, budgets, risk registers and progress reports.
• An understanding of renewable energy technologies, energy systems or green hydrogen value chains. Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous: solar PV, wind energy, energy storage, hydrogen production, hydrogen storage and distribution, fuel cells, electrolysers, ammonia, sustainable fuels or power-to-X technologies.
• Experience in public‑sector procurement, tendering and contract administration.
• Experience working with project teams across organisational boundaries and delivering projects under tight and changing deadlines.
• Experience engaging with senior executives, government representatives, industry stakeholders, funding agencies and academic or research institutions.
• Experience in research, development and innovation environments, particularly in the energy sector, would be advantageous:
• Experience in supporting renewable energy, green hydrogen, energy infrastructure or technology demonstration projects.
• Knowledge of South Africa's energy policy environment, renewable energy programmes and green hydrogen development initiatives.
• Professional registration with a relevant professional body, where applicable.
• Experience in project monitoring and evaluation, financial forecasting, business development and the preparation of funding proposals.
• Strong project coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple work packages, milestones, budgets and competing priorities.
• An understanding of renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies and their role in the energy transition.
• Strategic planning, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Sound financial management, budgeting and cost‑control skills.
• Strong risk management, procurement planning and contract management capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to prepare high‑quality project reports, proposals and management presentations.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams comprising researchers, engineers, scientists, technical specialists and external partners.
• Ability to work in a rapidly changing environment, manage uncertainty and adapt project plans in response to emerging risks and priorities.
• Excellent planning, organisational and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in standard project management, spreadsheet, presentation and reporting software.
• Ability to take responsibility, work independently and demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse organisational environments and cultures.
• A results‑oriented approach, with a strong commitment to delivering project outcomes, meeting deadlines and maintaining high standards of quality, accountability and professionalism.

What's in it for you?

The CSIR Offers

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market‑related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at [e-mail].

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant's educational qualification and employment history.