Research Architect/Engineer Development of Hospital Norms & Standards

About the job:

CSIR Built Environment (BE) unit has a vacancy for a Researcher in the Building Science and Technology competence area. The Infrastructure unit at the national Department of Health (NDoH), in collaboration with the CSIR, has convened a team to draft new national norms and standards for health care facilities for South Africa. This position is based in Pretoria.

Project information:

The South African Hospital Norms (SAHNORMS) document (dated 1986) provided the last legislated guidelines and cost guidance applicable to public health care infrastructure. The promulgation of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) repealed the Exchequer Act and consequently, the SAHNORMS and its management structure. A subsequent comprehensive system or structure that sets minimum Norms and Standards (N&S) is required to manage health infrastructure. It is important that the N&S developed should be responsive to the specific health, service delivery and affordability environment in South Africa. It is also recognised in the implementation plan that while the development of such N&S specifically tailored to the South African environment is a long-term project, there is an urgent need to ensure that N&S can be made available as soon as possible to inform projects due to start in the immediate future.

The primary focus and urgent objective of the work for the incumbent is in this focus area under the Infrastructure Unit Systems Support (IUSS) contract. The incumbent’s role will be to be at the forefront of the team driving the development of a sustainable set of universally adopted national norms, standards, guidelines and benchmarks for all levels of health care facilities related to all stages of the health infrastructure life cycle.

Key responsibilities:

The primary objective of this position is to lead the preparation of SAHNORMS in consultation with the project team. This is achieved through:

• Conducting in-depth study, research, coordination and collation of large amounts of reference material.
• Identifying gaps, troubleshooting and actively participating in formulation of useful, clear and appropriate guidelines.
• Consolidating, synthesising and presenting information in a coherent manner.
• Convening stakeholder meetings and engaging with stakeholders nationally.
• Participating in a team in compiling of necessary documentation; leading dissemination strategy, adoption and institutionalisation of norms and standards.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor degree in architecture. A Master’s degree would be preferred.
• Must have high levels of technical competence in applicable professional discipline.
• It is a requirement that the successful applicant must have at least five years’ working experience in infrastructure/built environment domain.
• At least two years’ experience and understanding of health care, infrastructure planning, design and procurement in the South African public health context.
• Must be thoroughly familiar with national building regulations and the South African Hospital Norms (SAHNORMS).
• Demonstrated experience in contract evaluation and strategic planning.
• High levels of proficiency in English – written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.
• High levels of computer proficiency in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint (Open Source equivalents are advantageous.)
• Demonstrated track record of the ability to work accurately, independently and efficiently.
• Ability to deliver on-the-job requirements.
• Be innovative and have high levels of detail orientation.
• Must be able to critically assess input from various stakeholders.
• Ability to evaluate guidelines, legislation and policy.

Closing date: 31 January 2013

https://candidate.csir.co.za/psp/hr91prd_cgw/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=301964&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1