DPSA VACANCIES: SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION REFFERENCE NUMBER: 3/KLD/40/2026/7

SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION REFFERENCE NUMBER: 3/KLD/40/2026/7

Directorate: Agricultural Inputs Control

SALARY :

R791 604 per annum, (OSD), (all-inclusive package to be structured in
accordance with OSD)

CENTRE :

Gauteng: Pretoria

REQUIREMENTS :

• Applicants must be in a possession of a Grade 12 Certificate and an
  appropriate 4-year BSc (Honours) or equivalent in Agriculture in Soil Science majoring in soil fertility and plant nutrition.
• Compulsory registration with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) as a Professional Natural Scientist.
• Minimum of 3 years post-qualification regulatory experience.

 

Job Related Knowledge:

• Expertise and experience in the interpretation of Fertilizer,
• Farm Feeds,
• Agriculture Remedies and stock Remedies Act,1947 (Act No: 36 of 1947) together with its regulations and guidelines.

 

Job Related Skills:

 

• Programme & project management.
• Scientific methodologies and models.
• Ability to research and develop independently.
• Legal compliance.
• Data analysis (high level analytical skills).
• Ms Office Software (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Technical report writing (the ability to prepare and present complex reports).
• Customer service skills.
• Communication skills(verbal and written).
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Extended working hours/overtime may be required.
• Travelling.
• A valid driver’s license.

 

DUTIES :

 

• Develop and implement methodologies, systems and procedures.
• identify and onsolidate needs for methodologies, policies, systems and procedures by developing administrative and compliance regulations and SOPs.
• Identify gaps and develop appropriate interventions by developing guidelines and conducting training workshops.
• Monitor and evaluate programme performance and perform scientific functions that require interpretation in the absence of an established framework by writing technical reports.
• Provide scientific support and advice through client advisory meetings and via emails.
• Develop working relations with client base during liaison meetings with clients.
• Create public awareness of the science system through liaison with stakeholders.
• Provie scientific data, information and advice as requested by responding to technical enquiries.
• Perform scientific analysis and regulatory functions.
• Conduct analysis of scientific data during the evaluation of applications to register fertilizers.
• Gather and interpret data, evaluate results and disseminate
  information by publishing information packages.
• Formulate proposals and compile reports by writing technical submissions when required.
• Develop and customise scientific models and techniques by contributing to the technical aspects of regulations.
• Compile technical reports.
• Research and Development.
• Continuous professional development to keep up with new technologies and procedures by attending technical workshops and conferences.
• Research/literature studies to improve expertise by reading technical
  publications.
• Publish and present research findings;
• and liaise with relevant bodies /councils, industries, government departments and other stakeholders on science and regulatory related matters.
• Human Capital and Development.
• Mentor, train and develop candidate scientist and others to promote
  skills/knowledge transfer and adherence to sound scientific principles and code of practice.
• Customer Service Management.
• Continuous professional development.
• To keep up with new technologies and procedures by attending
  technical workshops and conferences.
• Research /literature studies to improve expertise by residing publications.
• Liaise with relevant bodies/councils, industries, government departments and other stakeholders on science and regulatory related matters.

 

ENQUIRIES : Mr G. Moncho Tel No: (012) 319 7169

APPLICATIONS :

Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve
Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email
STrecruit40@nda.gov.za.

 

NOTE :

EE Targets: African Males and Females, and persons with disability.

 

SCIENTIST PRODUCTION REFFERENCES NUMBER:3/3/1/41/2026 (X2 POSTS)

 

Directorate: Genetic Resources (Variety Control)

 

SALARY :

R791 604 per annum, (OSD), (all-inclusive package to be structure in
accordance the OSD rules)

CENTRE :

Western Cape: Stellenbosch

REQUIREMENTS :

 

• Applicant must be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate and BSc (Hon) or M Tech with Botany, Agronomy, Horticulture, Genetics and / or Plant
  Biotechnology as a major subject.
• Compulsory registration with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNSP) as a Professional Natural Scientist.

 

Job Related Work Experience:

 

• A minimum of three (3) years’ post qualification in the field of botany, plant taxonomy, plant breeding or administration of legislation related to Agriculture.
• Plant Breeders’ Rights Act.
• Plant Improvement Act.
• UPOV Convention.
• Plant Morphology and Physiology.
• Statistics.

 

Job Related Skills:

 

• Computer skills (MS Office).
• Problem skills, Communication skills.
• Conflict management oral and written communication skills.
• Planning and organization skills.
• Knowledge and operation of laboratory apparatus.
• Numeracy, mathematical and statistical skills. \
• Problem-solving skills.
• Research, Plant variety evaluations, Analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently.
• Valid driver’s license.

DUTIES :

• Develop and implement relevant systems and procedures.
• Verifying applications and technical questionnaires submitted by applicants in terms of the Plant Breeding’s Rights Act and the Plant Improvement Act.
• Establishment of trials in collaboration with the directorate’s farm Manager, applicant or their appointed agent as applicable.
• Identify location of all candidates and comparative varieties/ liaise with farm manager on field identification.
• Engage with clients on matters related to their applications and do site visits.
• Perform technical scientific analysis.
• Collect data on candidates and standard varieties according to prescribed guidelines.
• Observation and evaluation of candidates to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) or National Test guidelines as applicable.
• Variety characterisation and documentation.
• Data analysis on candidates and standard varieties.
• Compile variety descriptions and DUS reports for candidates’ varieties.
• Confirm that andidates’ varieties comply to prescribed DUS requirements in terms of the relevant legislation.
• Data processing.
• Provide technical support and advice.
• Collect and provide technical/scientific data, information and advice to
  Registrars and Plant Improvement organisations.
• Provide technical support and advice to applicants in relations to Technical Questionnaires submitted in terms of the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act and the Plant Improvement Act.
• Research and development.
• Draft and/ or provide input to UPOV and / provide to UPOV and / or national test guidelines.
• Review and study scientific ublications, including internet searches, relevant to received PBR/VL applications.
• Participate at national, regional and international for a Liaise with
  relevant scientific bodies on technical /science related matters and exchange of knowledge thereof.
• Ensure management of reference collections. \
• Ensur roper management of filling system and crop and seed registers.
• Conduct or articipate in research pertaining to variety characters or ring tests as applicable.

 

ENQUIRIES :

Mr SJ Ndlazi Tel No: (012) 319 6086

APPLICATIONS :

Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve
Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email
STrecruit41@nda.gov.za.

NOTE :

EE Target: African, Indian, White Males and African, Indian Females and
Persons with disability.