Advertiser: Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries
REF NO: 270/2014
Directorate: Genetic Resources
SALARY: R222 150–R340 539 per annum (salary to be determined according to experience in line with the OSD dispensation)
CENTRE: Roodeplaat
REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be in possession of a National diploma or (B.Sc. or B.Tech) degree in Agriculture or Biological Sciences with Plant Production, Botany, Agronomy, Horticulture, Genetics and/or Plant Biotechnology as a major subject(s) (you are required to furnish a credit certificate and /or statement of results). Compulsory registration (or proof of your application for registration) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) as a Certificated Natural Scientist. Three years post-qualification scientific experience in plant breeding, plant variety evaluations and botanical systematic analysis. Knowledge and understanding of the Plant Breeders Rights Act, 1976 (Act 15 of 1976) and its relation to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plant (UPOV) as well as the Plant Improvement Act, 1976 (Act 53 of 1976). Relevant experience in the execution and management of plant variety evaluation trials. Planning and organising skills. Good communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills. Computer skills in MS Office software. A valid driver’s licence and the willingness to travel countrywide and internationally in the execution of his/her duties.
DUTIES: The incumbent will be responsible for the planning and compiling of statistical trials; supervision of the establishment; maintenance of the trials; and data collection and statistical analysis of the trials for Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) and Variety listing, as well as for Trade- and Post-Control seed samples. Evaluation of the conformity of candidate varieties to distinctness, uniformity and stability requirements. Compiling comprehensive variety descriptions of the varieties and maintenance of the relevant database. Commenting on Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines, as well as providing technical inputs to national test guidelines in the absence of UPOV test guidelines. Provide technical and advisory services on all matters related to PBR and variety listings. Source technical information from various sources and incorporate it into standardised protocols and methodologies.
ENQUIRIES: Ms F.H. Nel, cell. 082 656 3689
It is the Department’s intention to promote equity through the filling of posts, according to the set Employment Equity targets. To facilitate this process successfully, an indication of race, gender and disability status is required
APPLICATIONS: Applications may be posted to URS Response Handling, P. O. Box 11506, Tierpoort, 0056 or submitted electronically via email: daff@ursonline.co.za or via fax: 086 654 1824 or online: www.ursonline.co.za or deposited in the URS Response Handling boxes at any one of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ offices indicated below.
Pretoria: Reception, Agriculture Place, 20 Steve Biko Street (formerly Beatrix Street), Arcadia, Pretoria, Gauteng. Enquiries: URS Response Handling, tel. 012 811 1900.
Cape Town: Reception (Ground Floor), Foretrust Building, 3 Martin Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape.
Stellenbosch: Reception (Support Building), Quarantine Station, Polkadraai Road, Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Pietermaritzburg: Reception (5th Floor), Old Mutual Building, 185 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
King William’s Town: Reception (Ground Floor), Old SABC Building, 2 Hargreaves Avenue, King William’s Town, Eastern Cape.
Nelspruit: Reception (2nd Floor), Permanent Building, 27 Brown Street, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.
Makhado: Reception (Ground Floor), Magistrates Building, 103 Landros Street, Makhado, Limpopo
Mthatha: Reception (3rd Floor), PRD Building, 2 Sutherland Street, Mthatha, Eastern Cape
Closing date: 1 August 2014
NOTE: Applications must be submitted on a Z83 Form, obtainable from any Public Service department or on the internet at http://www.info.gov.za/documents/forms/employ.pdf which must be signed (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 his/her Permanent Residence Permit to his/her application.
Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualification 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 after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (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 email, fax or online must include the post title and reference number in the subject line and a scanned, signed Z83 form (a Z83 form without a physical signature will disqualify an application) together with all relevant documents as indicated above. Persons with disability are encouraged to apply.
Interview Hints and Tips
Arrive on time for the interview. Plan your trip and leave early if you have to or if you are unfamiliar with the area. Give yourself enough time to find the building as well as parking. You also need keep your diary open after the interview. Your interview might be running longer than anticipated.
Remember to take a few extra copies of your CV with you. One copy is for you should you have to refresh your memory. The other copies are for the interviewer and anyone else sitting in on the interview. You only need to produce these if there is a need for them.
Be careful not to over- or under-dress for an interview. The golden rule is to look professional and smart even if everyone else at the company is wearing jeans. Speak to your employment agency for guidance with specific acompanies.
Women:
- More conservative outfit and coordinate all the colours
- Moderate shoes
- Limited jewellery
- Make sure your hairstyle is neat and hair clean
- Not too muck make-up and perfume
- Nails must be neat and clean
Men:
- Conservative suit with a white long sleeve shirt
- Conservative tie (no cartoon characters)
- Dark socks, professional shoes
- Limited jewellery
- Make sure your hairstyle is neat and hair clean
- Not too much aftershave
- Nails must be neat and clean
The interviewer will be judging the effect of your appearance on customers as well as staff. Your "look" must project the fact that you are the perfect '"fit" for that specific position and company.
Get rid of chewing gum and check your overall appearance before walking into the organisation's premises.
Switch your cellphone off once the interviewer knows that you have arrived for the interview - never, ever take a call during an interview. If there is a medical emergency in your family and your phone needs to be on then inform the interviewer and ask for permission to leave your phone on. In most cases the person will agree to it.
Remember to take a file with pen paper with you to the interview. This will assist you in making notes and to write down questions you might want to ask later.
The interview starts when the first question is asked. Right? Wrong. The interview starts the minute you arrive at the company and you will be under scrutiny by everyone who knows that interviews are being held. Be friendly with cleaning staff, secretaries and everyone else you encounter on your way to the interview. This will make you feel more positive as well as leave positive people in your wake. The last thing you need is for a staff member to mention how rude you were before the interview. Or for the secretaries to tell the manager that you had an attitude with them and you thought you were important!
Studies have shown that most interviewers make up their mind within the first few minutes. You therefore need to greet your interviewer by making comfortable eye contact, shaking hands firmly and introducing yourself in a confident manner.
Make a connection and build a relationship with the interviewer. Remember that they are already happy with your CV and now wants to check you out. Your attitude will be more important than most of your answers.
Only sit down when offered a chair.
If you are offered any coffee or tea you have three choices: Coffee, tea or nothing. Do not go and ask for something not offered - the organisation might not have it on the premises and the interviewer could feel embarrassed.
Keep an eye on your body language and avoid fidgeting, biting your nails, playing with your car keys, etc.