CAREERS 24/7 OPPORTUNITY 2026 : SCIENTIST PRODUCTION GRADE – A REFERENCE NO: 3/3/1/41/2026/SDF

 

Directorate: Genetic Resources

 

SALARY : R761 157 per annum, (OSD), (all-inclusive package to be structure in
accordance with the OSD rules).

CENTRE : Gauteng (Pretoria)

REQUIREMENTS :

 

Applicant must be in possession of a Grade 12 Certificate and BSc (Hon) in
Agricultural Science or Botanical Science or Biological Science. Compulsory
registration with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions
(SACNASP) as a Professional Natural Scientist.

 

Job Related Work Experience:

• Three (3) years’ post qualification natural scientific experience.

 

Job Related Knowledge:

• Plant Breeders’ Rights Act.
• UPOV Convention.
• Plant morphology.
• Plant taxonomy/systematics.
• Plant Breeding.

 

Job Related Skills:

• Computer skills.
• Problem solving skills, Communication (oral & written) skills.
• Planning and organization skills.
• Research skills.
• Plant variety evaluations.
• The candidate will be required to work under harsh environmental conditions, travelling nationally and internationally.
• A valid Driver’s license.

 

DUTIES :

 

Develop and implement relevant systems, and procedures in terms of the Plant
Breeder’s Rights Act, and DUS reports from evaluation centres for Agricultural,
Vegetables, Fruit and Ornamental Crops. Verifying new applications forms for
completeness, accuracy and relevant fees paid; notify applicants of
outstanding issues, before PT registration numbers are issued and opening of
files facilitated. Check proposed denominations to be valid by consulting PBR
registers, Varietal Lists, UPOV PLUTO database & CPVO database.

 

Draft letters of acknowledgement for Registrars’ signatures, signed letters forwarded to relevant official for filling and posting and facilitate submission of application forms and propagation material, where applicable, to the relevant evaluation centres. Receive DUS reports, verify that all required documentation is correct for approved varieties, issues ZA registration numbers and draft PBR
certificates and rejection letters for the Registrar’s signatures.

 

Facilitate purchasing of DUS reports when applicable. DUS reports, signed PBR
certificate and rejection letters forwarded to the relevant official for filling and
posting. Provide scientific data, information, and advice with regard to the
registration of varieties in terms of Plant Breeder’s Rights Act. Provide clients
with scientific support and advice related to application forms, technical
questionnaires, and any requested information pertaining to application and
granting of PBRs. Develop working relations with clients base and other
directorates regarding varieties under consideration for Plant Breeder’s Rights.

 

 

Provide relevant information for updating on the Department of Agriculture
(DoA) website. Compile and submit relevant PBR statistics (TWP documents
and WIPO) to the Registrar for verification and submission thereof to relevant
bodies. Compile information requested in terms of PAIA and submit to Registrar
for further processing. To perform scientific regulatory function in relation to
the administration of the PBR Act. Participate in consultations on South Africa’s
accession to the UPOV 1991 Convention. Develop SOP’s for approval.

 

Provide technical support in drafting amendments to regulations (e.g. tariffs and
declarations) and facilitate publication thereof. Provide technical support in
drafting of new regulations for the PBR Amendment Act. Research and
development in relation to the management of Plant Breeders’s Rights.

 

Ensure proper management of registers. Unter the application details of the new
application in the register. Enter new information with regard to any changes in
status of the applications in the register. Provide updated register to the
Registrar for verification. Send the electronic registers to both the Registrar and
the evaluation centres quarterly. Compile and review scientific information as
per required format for each publication and provide draft publication to the
Registrar for editing. Distribute relevant publications to stakeholders.

 

Upload updated merged database online onto PLUTO. Human Capital Management. Mentor, train and develop candidates scientists and other officials to promote skills/knowledge transfer. Monitor administrative services in order to ensure effectiveness and efficiency admin operations with regard to PBR. Manage
performance of staff relating to the updating and maintenance of relevant
databases. Manage the development of staff.

 

ENQUIRIES : Mr Madzinge Tel No: (012) 319 6084

 

APPLICATIONS :

 

Applications can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to: 20 Steve
Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email
SPGrecruit412025@nda.gov.za

 

NOTE :

 

EE Target Africans and Indian Males and Coloured Females, and persons with
disability.

 

APPLY NOW