Patricia Jacob
Senior Manager: Research Support And Management
EMdloti
Summary
Dynamic Senior Manager with a proven track record at Nelson Mandela University, excelling in organizational strategy development and operations management. Achieved operational excellence by streamlining processes, enhancing stakeholder satisfaction, and fostering professional growth.
Adept at navigating complex challenges, fostering culture of accountability.
Versatile Senior Manager specializing in Grants Management and skilled at planning, implementing and overseeing key improvements to drive growth and efficiency.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager: Research Support and Management
Nelson Mandela University
01.2018 - Current
- Strategic planning and implementation. Identify and initiate new projects in support of the institution’s strategic plans and thematic areas
- Devise and execute advocacy campaigns related to researcher opportunities within the university and externally as directed by the Director: Research Support and Management or the DVC: Research, Innovation and Internationalization Interact regularly with faculties and departments to create awareness of research opportunities.
- Collaborate closely with peers from other departments to drive organizational success jointly as one cohesive unit.
- Increased customer satisfaction with timely project deliveries and seamless communication.
- Achieved operational excellence by streamlining processes and implementing best practices.
- Promoted a culture of continuous learning through regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions for staff.
- Excellent process management skills. Develop and maintain research funding processes and systems to ensure financial management practices, reporting and recommendations.
- Create exception reports so that problems can be dealt with swiftly (e.g. non-payment of grants to researchers).
- Ensure sound data management practices that safeguard confidentially and facilitate the generation of reports.
- Work closely with system developers to improve and overhaul internal systems to integrate with external ones.
- Network with other universities and stakeholders to assess competitor funding attraction processes, services and financial offerings to researchers and identify and originate innovative new practices.
Manager: Research Administration
Rhodes University
02.2011 - 12.2017
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Mentored junior team members for career advancement, fostering a pipeline of future leaders within the organization.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and implementing appropriate solutions.
- Developed and maintained research funding processes and systems to ensure financial management practices, reporting and recommendations.
- Sound data management practices that safeguarded confidentiality, guard records and facilitate the generation of reports.
- Worked closely with system developers to improve and overhaul internal systems as well as external ones used extensively by the University (e.g. DHET research submission; funding applications).
- Implemented stakeholder feedback mechanisms to gather insights, using this information to guide strategic planning and decision-making.
- Reported to the Department of higher Education and Training (DHET) on research publication subsidy outputs and assist with the external audit of this return (approximately 20% of annual University's subsidy income which varies year to year depending on the funding formula). Ensured that publications included meet the scholarly criteria list for subsidy-earning publications in Journal publications; books/chapters in books and refereed conference proceedings.
- Compile a report on subsidy earning books and chapters in books with recommendations, for final approval by Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Development
- Assist with compilation and production of the Rhodes University annual research report.
- Co-ordinate the compilation of the Research and Development Survey that is annually submitted to the Human Science Research Council.
- Assisted with producing Research Office statistics (qualitative and Quantitative) to assess the volume, quality, and success of research funded and anticipated future direction and goals.
Manager: Research Information
University of Cape Town
03.2007 - 01.2011
- Facilitated team brainstorming sessions that led to innovative solutions for long-standing operational challenges.
- Was responsible for compiling the annual Publication count by initiating, producing, and submitting the preliminary as well as final Publication Count information to the external auditors and to the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) for accredited journal articles. This required high level academic planning, quality assurance skills and management skills.
- Motivated for inclusion of South African Journals to the DHET accredited list.
- Managed the screening process of peer-reviewed books / chapters and peer reviewed refereed conference proceedings for submission to DHET.
- Provided extensive support/advice to researchers regarding peer review process for subsidy earning books/chapters and refereed conference proceedings.
- Ensured that the web administrator adequately updated the web page on a regular basis.
- Supervised administrative staff (Pub Count and IRMA team)
- Mentored junior team members for career advancement, fostering a pipeline of future leaders within the organization.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and implementing appropriate solutions.
Coordinator: Research Management
University of KwaZulu-Natal
10.2002 - 02.2007
- Collaborated with IT to develop user-friendly project management tool, streamlining project tracking and reporting.
- Prioritized and managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all met their deadlines and objectives without compromising quality.
- Improved project outcomes with meticulous attention to detail in planning phases, ensuring all requirements were met ahead of deadlines.
- Streamlined administrative processes, allowing for more efficient use of resources and better support for project teams.
- Facilitated cross-departmental workshops to identify process improvements, leading to more efficient workflow and reduced bottlenecks.
- Increased stakeholder satisfaction by facilitating clear and consistent communication between project teams and stakeholders.
- Developed comprehensive training materials for new staff, leading to quicker onboarding and higher initial productivity levels.
- Enhanced project tracking by developing comprehensive database, which allowed for real-time updates and adjustments.
- Resolved issues through active listening and open-ended questioning, escalating major problems to manager.
- Provided information and training to academic and support staff to encourage them to increase the research output of the University.
- Provided statistical reports to Executive, Faculty Deans and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Knowledge Production and Partnerships)
- Provided information and training to academic and support staff to encourage them to increase the research output of the University.
- Provided statistical reports to Executive, Faculty Deans and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Knowledge Production and Partnerships)
Senior Administrative Officer
Medical School University of Natal
01.1985 - 09.2002
- Liaised with staff to manage information, develop systems and compile reports using data to identify trends and take action to enhance performance.
- Financial Management of the department budget and external research grants
- Proposed for the annual departmental budget
- Submitted income and expenditure reports to external funders / institutes (example Harvard University, UNICEF, University of Boston and WHO).
- Prepared budget proposals and cash flow statements for the various research projects
- Maintained the assets register and ensured all items corresponded with the finance department records
- Assisted academics with costing for various research projects
- Acquisition of new equipment in accordance with the policies of the University
- Motivated for replacement equipment and personal computers in accordance with the University policy
- Purchased and replaced equipment for the Paediatric wards in accordance with the criteria set out by the Department of Health
- Treasurer for the South African Paediatric Congress held in 2002
Education
MBA - Strategic Management
University Kwa-Zulu Natal
Durban, South Africa 04.2001 -
Post Graduate Diploma - Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management
University of Kwa Zulu Natal
Durban 04.2001 -
Management Advanced Diploma - Business Management
University of Natal
Durban 04.2001 -
Skills
Organizational strategy development
Professional growth facilitation
Operations management
Strategic resource management
Accomplishments
1. Training & courses
- Completed various computer courses between 1996 and 2004 (e.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SPSS)
- Attended courses at staff training and development for Personnel Procedures, Financial Management, Interpersonal Skills, interaction, Minute Taking, Interaction Management and Situational Leadership
- Did a certificate course on Finance for non-Financial Managers at UCT Graduate School of Business
- Continuous Professional training with SARIMA
2. MERIT AWARDS RECEIVED
- Former University of Natal: in 1997 and 1998
- Rhodes University: November 2013 and 2016
3. Professional Registration
- South African Research Management Association (SARIMA)
- International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC)
- Member of the STARS forum
- Participated as a member of the review panel for new application for IPRC recognition.
4. PRESENTATIONS
- Invited speaker NRF Researchers Administrators Workshop 2015:
Presentation: Improving Partnerships: Effective Practices at Rhodes University
- Invited to Chair a Session: NRF DA Workshop 2016
- SARIMA Conference 2016
Presentation: The Research Life Cycle at Rhodes University: The Optimum Combination of Spaces for Researchers to Flourish, Mange Research Data and Generate Knowledge, Supported by Analytical Systems
- SARIMA 2024
Poster Presentation: Impact of Ineffective Communication on Effective Strategy Implementation in Research Support
IPRC Facilitated a session
Facilitate ongoing training sessions at the University: Research Management system and NRF funding proposals.
Referees:
Professor Muronga
Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships Nelson Mandela University
Telephone: +27 (0) 824584535
E-Mail:Azwinndini.Muronga@mandela.ac.za
Professor Paul Watts
Research Chair in Microfluidic Bio/Chemical Processing Nelson Mandela University
Telephone: +27 41 504 3694 061 400 3990
E-Mail: Paul.Watts@mandela.ac.za
Professor Patrick Vrancken
Research Chair in the Law of the Sea and Development in Africa
Telephone: +27 (0) 41 504 2200
E-Mail: Patrick.Vrancken@mandela.ac.za
Dr Palesa Mothapo
Director: Research Support and Management
Telephone
+27 (0) 41 504 4535
E-Mail: Palesa.Mothapo@mandela.ac.za
Timeline
Senior Manager: Research Support and Management
Nelson Mandela University
01.2018 - Current
Manager: Research Administration
Rhodes University
02.2011 - 12.2017
Manager: Research Information
University of Cape Town
03.2007 - 01.2011
Coordinator: Research Management
University of KwaZulu-Natal
10.2002 - 02.2007
MBA - Strategic Management
University Kwa-Zulu Natal
04.2001 -
Post Graduate Diploma - Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management
University of Kwa Zulu Natal
04.2001 -
Management Advanced Diploma - Business Management
University of Natal
04.2001 -
Senior Administrative Officer
Medical School University of Natal
01.1985 - 09.2002
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