Deputy Director Health Innovation PRETORIA
Medical / Emergency / Health / Lab
Pretoria – Gauteng
Deputy Director Health Innovation
Pretoria
12-month fixed term contract
R717 100pa
Purpose of the post:
The Deputy Director: Agriculture /Health/ industry Bio- Innovation is to establish and grow the bioeconomy within the Agriculture /Health industry sectors in South Africa through the creation of enabling and conducive environment for Agriculture /Health industry Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) that leads to the commercialization of products, processes or services that have socio-economic impact while preserving essential social, cultural and environmental values.
Description of tasks:
Contribute to the development of an enabling and conducive environment to grow the Agriculture / Health/ Industry aspects of the bio- economy:
- Draft the Agriculture /Health/ Industry implementation initiatives, including draft of the Implementation Plan for the bio- economy strategy and coordinate inputs from relevant stakeholders
- Liaise with industry, Academia, Innovation chain and other stakeholders on relevant initiatives
- Support new research initiatives such as discovery, development and demonstration projects (seed funded projects), input into the conceptualisation of new platforms, human capital development and other related aspects
Management of selected strategic Agriculture / Health/ Industry Initiatives/ programmes:
- Manage all aspects related to programmes and ensure contractual
- agreements are in place (e.g. PUB, SHIP, Biosafety, TIA, CSIR, etc.)
- Provide strategic and technical advice to support implementation in line with strategic objectives of the Department
- Facilitate the transfer payments to contracting institution/agency
- Monitor achievement of deliverables
- Promote awareness of biotechnology within the science sphere and in society and support programmes and bio-portal development etc.
Provision of support in coordinating and initiating strategic relations with national government departments, SADC, African and international cooperation within the bioeconomy:
- Develop and maintain a network of SA and international Biotechnology stakeholders related to the function of bio-economy strategy
- Facilitate preparatory interactions international engagements (e.g. technical documents, briefing notes, etc.)
- Inputs and respond to adhoc requests (e.g. proposal request for funding, briefing notes, speeches, etc.)
Provision of strategic advice on Agriculture/ Health/ Industry Biotechnology issues for the Bio-Innovation unit, DSTI and SA government:
- Serve as a reference for selected strategic agriculture/ Health/ Industry information and knowledge
- Provide administrative support by writing submissions and cabinet memoranda
Knowledge:
- Departmental policy and formulation
- Knowledge of National Science and Innovation Knowledge of Agriculture/Health/Industry innovation and policies
- Understanding of innovation value chains related to Agriculture/Health/Industry bio-economy
Skills:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Planning and organisation
- Problem solving skills
- Project management
- Policy formulation and interpretation skill
- Negotiation skills
Personal attributes:
- Ability to work individually and in a team
- Analytical
- Diplomacy
- Energetic
- Innovative and creative
- Attention to detail
Minimum qualification and experience requirements:
- National Diploma / Bachelor’s Degree in Health, Life Science, Social Science or Agriculture.
- Postgraduate qualifications are an added advantage.
- Minimum of 3 years working experience in Agriculture/ Health/ Industry sector
Closing date for applications:
21 March 2026
Should you not hear from us within 7 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful
