Head Estate Management

HEAD: ESTATE MANAGEMENT
Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Management
Work Location: Pretoria, Gauteng

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is established by an Act of Parliament and mandated to contribute
to national development by supporting, promoting and advancing research and human capacity development,
through funding and the provision of the necessary research infrastructure, in order to facilitate the creation
of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including humanities, social
sciences and indigenous knowledge; and supporting and promoting public awareness of, and engagement
with, science.
The NRF is a well-established organisation that is highly networked within the National Science System, and
internationally. It is the principal organisation responsible for the promotion of the national research enterprise
and is the primary public funder of postgraduate students and researchers as well as a provider of research
infrastructure in the country. It has well-developed, best practice research evaluation, grant funding and support
systems as well as research performing Facilities.
The NRF seeks to appoint the Head: Estate Management to provide strategic direction and oversight of the
operational aspects of the National Research Foundation property portfolio.
Key Responsibilities:
Estate Management Strategy: • Provide strategic guidance to executive management regarding integrated
modern facilities/estate management and capital expenditure in line with the business’ strategic objectives
• Strategic office space planning nationally to accommodate the continuously changing organisational
requirements and business needs • Drafting, implementing and revising policies and procedures and ensuring
all facilities follow health, safety and environmental regulations • Strategic Management of estates and support
services to enable core research centrally and at the regional sites • Consolidation of estate management
services for optimisation, efficiency and value creation through advanced technological platforms • Create
and maintain an appropriate and sustainable physical working environment, including infrastructure, which
supports Research, Development & Innovation throughout the organisation • Create a world-class image of
the organisation through strategically managed estates • Develop and manage financial planning, forecasting
and a budget that will be used to drive and implement initiatives in line with the business strategy • Standardise
processes and systems to realise the benefits of economies of scale, harmonise information, and simplify
processes by applying international standards such as ISO 9001 • Maintain building assets through the
official investment strategy for each building asset • Ensure all buildings and infrastructure are efficiently
run and financially optimal • Ensure compliance with OHSA and Building standards • Evaluate NRF-owned
properties to determine maintenance needs for the immediate, medium and long term • Conduct analysis for
acquisitions and disposals when necessary.
Facilities and OHS: • Oversee the development and implementation of the Estates & OHS strategy across all
NRF sites in line with the organisational strategic goals and legislative and regulatory framework • Provide
strategic direction and oversight to ensure organisational compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety
Act No.85 of 1993 (OHS Act) and Regulations and the National Environmental Management Act 1998 (NEM
Act) • To provide strategic guidance to executive management on statutory requirements per the OHS Act and
NEM Act. • Compliance with SHEQ regulatory requirements and standards • Accountable for developing and
managing a Health, Safety and Environment Management System and documentation of associated policies,
procedures and processes.
Contracts Management: • Provide strategic leadership in negotiating, contracting and implementing estate
management projects with approved service providers.
Protection Services: • Design and implement strategic security and safety services that are aligned with
the organisational strategy • Guide the processes for determining physical security standards and protection
requirements for the NRF by developing and implementing security strategy, procedures, and guidelines.
Business Units Facilities Oversight: • Ensure the NRF’s Business Units estates operate and perform optimally
and support the organisational strategy and objectives.
Budget and Reporting: • Compile divisional personnel, capital and operational budgets on an annual basis
• Control costs by applying effective control measures and reporting to the Executive at agreed intervals
• Oversee NRF Estates divisional funds according to the NRF’s policy • Ensure that appropriate financial
processes and controls exist for the effective and responsible management of funds and the limitation of
overtime • Oversee annual budgets and control income and expenditure through monthly reviews • Oversee
and guide all contractual agreements with service providers • Accountable for ensuring that the division
adheres to corporate governance and compliance with PFMA and Treasury Regulations • National procurement
of the best preferred top service providers to ensure that services are of acceptable quality at optimal cost.
Risk Management and Compliance: • Undertake a risk assessment and implement and maintain an effective
Estates & OHS risk management strategy for the NRF • Management of NRF’s exposure to minimise the
adverse effect of potential risks in the achievement of the organisational goals and objectives • Organisational
accountability for compliance with Board resolutions, King IV codes, policy directives, regulations and
legislation • Champion the management of estates and security risks according to the Risk Management
Framework and applicable prescripts • Lead the effective monitoring and evaluation of risk-related activities
• Direct adherence to all relevant laws, policies and Standard Operating Procedures • Ensure implementation
of best practices and frameworks that drive organisational performance.
Stakeholder Management: • Facilitate the establishment of smooth working relationships between
the Estate Management Department and other business partners within the NRF • Ensure that the NRF is
regularly represented in forums where industry information is shared to keep the organisation in the forefront
of developments within the Facilities Management and OHS industry • Build and lead an effective team that
works collaboratively toward achieving the organisation’s goals and promoting the NRF brand identity and
values • Engage relevant groups of stakeholders in making key decisions while clearly articulating the
NRF’s stance on matters and ensuring the preservation of the organisations’ interests • Implement strategic
information campaigns to promote key business initiatives, where relevant, in the context of the NRF’s strategic
objectives and goals.
Key Requirements:
Qualification: • A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Facilities Management/ Engineering, Quantity Surveying,
Property or Project Management or any other relevant Built Environment professions • A post-graduate
qualification will be an added advantage • Registration with a professional body will be an added advantage.
Experience: • A minimum of 10 years in Facilities/Estate Management/ Property Management/Development
or relevant Built Environment roles • Minimum of 8 years’ experience managing a team and building strategic
facilities management capability.
Knowledge: • Contract management, including knowledge of requirements related to procurement processes
and contractual agreements, e.g. service level agreements • Knowledge of Environmental, Waste and Fleet
Management • Supply chain and logistics management • Financial, human resources and administrative
management • Legislation related to waste, environment, landscape, transport, hygiene and occupational
health and safety • Landscaping and Environmental and Waste Management technical knowledge • Industrial
Hygiene and Building and Cleaning Services • Commercial Property leasing/letting and office space planning
• Planned and preventative maintenance • Building Installations and supervision processes.
The website http://www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by logging to https://ess.nrf.ac.za/Account/Recruitment
and apply online. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant’s
suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.
Closing date: 10 March 2025
The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with
qualifications and experience.
The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in
line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.
The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only.