Location: Pretoria

Job Purpose

Minimum Requirements

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7) or equivalent in Economic Management, Data Sciences, or a related field.
• Specialisation in Applied Economics, Behavioural Economics, Public Economics, Policy Analysis, Statistics, or Development Economics is highly desirable.
• A Postgraduate qualification (NQF Level 9 or 10) demonstrating strong research capability will be a distinct advantage.
• Faculty experience as a Senior Lecturer or Associate Professor gives you a competitive edge.

Experience

• Extensive experience in applied economic research, economic modelling, capacity building, and project management.
• Minimum of five (5) years at a senior managerial level.
• Proven success in leading multidisciplinary research teams, managing projects, and delivering actionable insights in academic, research, or public sector environments.
• Track record in academic writing, publishing, and managing scholarly journals.
• Solid understanding of higher education, training, and capacity-building environments.

Knowledge and Skills

• Deep knowledge of macroeconomics, fiscal policy, and public economics.
• Strong grasp of the Public Service Act, PFMA, and other key governance frameworks.
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research, statistics, econometrics, and data analytics.
• Advanced ability in research design, data management, and information systems.
• Proven competence in budgeting, strategic planning, stakeholder management, and capacity development.

Core Competencies

• Provide visionary leadership, inspire excellence, and guide strategic direction.
• Champion innovation, organisational transformation, and continuous improvement.
• Manage budgets, cash flow, and risk effectively.
• Drive research excellence, ensuring outputs align with national development priorities.
• Build partnerships with universities, think tanks, and government departments.
• Promote the Batho Pele principles through effective service delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct at all times.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the Research Agenda

• Develop and implement the NSG’s research and market intelligence agenda aligned with government priorities.
• Conduct economic modelling, forecasting, and scenario planning to guide national policy and institutional strategy.
• Produce high-quality research reports, policy briefs, and analytical papers to inform decision-making.

Collaborate and Represent

• Represent the NSG in Economic Cluster forums and strategic government committees.
• Collaborate with academic institutions, think tanks, and global partners to enhance research impact.
• Support curriculum design with data-driven insights and evidence-based policy recommendations.

Advance Policy and Market Intelligence

• Analyse socio-economic policies, assess their impact, and advise on capacity-building interventions.
• Conduct skills gap analyses across government to identify learning priorities.
• Oversee knowledge management systems that promote data sharing and innovation.

Drive Institutional Excellence

• Ensure the research team operates efficiently with measurable performance outcomes.
• Monitor and evaluate research outputs for quality and strategic relevance.
• Promote professional development, mentorship, and a high-performance culture.
• Ensure ethical data management and compliance with research standards.

Personal Attributes

• Analytical and detail-oriented
• Innovative and forward-thinking
• A confident communicator and collaborator
• Ethical, accountable, and professional
• Able to multitask, prioritise, and work under pressure
• Open to domestic and international travel  and extended work hours when required.

Employment Equity

• African Females, Youth, African and Coloured Males, and
• People with disabilities,
  in line with the NSG’s employment equity policy.

How to Apply

Enquiries:

Join the NSG and Shape the Future of Public Sector Excellence!