Senior Technical Information Officer X 2 Positions

SENIOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION OFFICER 2 POSTS REF NO: 2/2016 Directorate: Food Import and Export Standards SALARY : R243 747 per annum CENTRE : Pretoria

REQUIREMENTS : A National Diploma or Bachelor’ degree in Agriculture and/or Natural Science with Plant Protection, (Entomology and Plant Pathology), Nematology, Horticulture Plant Production and/or Agronomy as major subject(s) (you are required to furnish a credit certificate and/or statement of results).

Knowledge of and experience in the plant health/phytosanitary environment. Knowledge and experience in plant health risk communication as it relates to the trade of plants and related agricultural products.

Knowledge and understanding of the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act 36 of 1983), Plant Breeders’ Rights Act 1976 (Act 15 of 1976), Genetically Modified Organism Act, 1997 (Act 15 of 1997), Fertilizer, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of 1947) and related legislations.

Knowledge and understanding of the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures(ISPMs). Knowledge on key government priorities/programmes in relation to agricultural development in South Africa.

Good communication (verbal and written) skills and presentation skills. Good planning and organisational skills. Computer skills in Ms Office software. Must be prepared to travel and work away from home. A valid driver’s licence, ability to drive and willingness to travel often on short notice.

DUTIES : Be responsible to lead the development and implementation of plant health promotion and awareness programmes/ projects targeting both national and international clients. Lead, coordinate and facilitate the development and dissemination of the plant health/phytosanitary information to the identified clients.

Publish plant/ phytosanitary information through print and electronic media. Implement various communication strategies that promote effective sharing and reliable use of phytosanitary information. Establish and maintain stake holder relations with relevant clients.

Facilitate training and capacity building for projects, extension practitioners, scientists, farmers and other relevant clients. Attend or coordinate relevant meetings and forums on phytosanitary issues. Provide phytosanitary technical advisory support through any possible means of communication. Perform generic administrative duties.

ENQUIRIES : Mr M. Sekgala, Tel. (012) 319 6295

APPLICATIONS : Human Communications has been retained to handle all responses. Please forward your application, quoting the relevant reference number, to PO Box 1305, Rivonia 2128 or hand deliver at 3 Autumn Street, Rivonia, or you can apply online at www.humanjobs.co.za Applications can also be submitted electronically to Human Communications via the e-mail or fax number indicated at each post or hand delivered at any one of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries offices as indicated below (please place in the blue box marked for applications). Enquiries: Chipo, tel. (011) 257-8012 Gauteng: Reception, Agriculture Place, 20 Steve Biko Street (formerly Beatrix Street), Arcadia, Pretoria KwaZulu-Natal: Reception (5th Floor), Old Mutual Building, 185 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg Limpopo: Reception (Ground Floor), Magistrates Building, 103 cnr Landdros and Munnik Streets, Makhado Mpumalanga: Reception (2nd Floor), Permanent Building, 27 Brown Street, Nelspruit Eastern Cape: King William’s Town: Reception (Ground Floor), Old SABC Building, 2 Hargreaves Avenue Mthatha: Reception (3rd Floor), PRD Building, Sutherland Street Western Cape: Cape Town: Reception (Ground Floor), Foretrust Building, 3 Martin Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore Stellenbosch: Reception (Support Building), Quarantine Station, Polkadraai Road

CLOSING DATE : 04 March 2016

NOTE : Applications must be submitted on a Z83 Form, obtainable from any Public Service department or on the Internet at http://www.daff.co.za/doaDev/doc/Z83.pdf which must be signed and dated (an unsigned Z83 form will disqualify an application) and should be accompanied by a recently updated, comprehensive CV as well as copies of all qualification(s) (Matric Certificate must also be attached) and ID document and driver’s licence (where applicable). Non-RSA Citizens/Permanent Resident Permit Holders must attach a copy of their Permanent Residence Permits to their application. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Suitable candidates will be subjected to personnel suitability checks (criminal record check, citizenship verification, financial/asset record check, qualification/study verification and previous employment verification). Successful candidates will also be subjected to security clearance processes. Where applicable, candidates will be subjected to a skills/knowledge test. Successful candidates will be appointed on a probation period of twelve (12) months. The Department reserves the right not to make appointment(s) to the advertised post(s). Applications submitted via e-mail, fax or online must include the post title and reference number in the subject line and a scanned, signed and dated Z83 form (a Z83 form without a physical signature and date will disqualify an application) together with all relevant documents as indicated above. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.