Tinyiko Ntshongwana
Deputy Director: Africa Multilateral Cooperation
Pretoria
Summary
I am a science and innovation practitioner with expertise in managing South Africa's science, technology and innovation engagements with international multi sectoral institutions. I tend to thrive in organisations where there is change and am adept in understanding and communicating complex ideas and theories. These skills have aided me in being decisive and making good quality decisions that are beneficial for my team members and organisation. Through diplomatic acumen and technical knowledge, I have led the conceptualisation and implementation of transnational programmes and initiatives spanning various economic sectors. I am well versed in providing project and programme management, ensuring that I draw on the strengths of team members to achieve contractual deliverables with utmost quality, while keeping the team inspired and motivated. With experience in conducting research for science and innovation policy-making and implementation, I am a proficient and inspiring communicator who is at ease as a speaker and programme facilitator in local and international fora amongst executive and highly reputable leaders.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Deputy Director: Africa Multilateral Cooperation
Department of Science and Innovation
04.2016 - Current
- Participated in the DSI's policy making processes by developing and writing a chapter in the DSI's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Decadal Plan (2022 – 2032) titled, "Expanded and Targeted Strategic Internationalisation"
- Conducted extensive research and consulted with stakeholders from the national system of innovation and other sector departments, to incorporate their insights in the chapter that I authored in the STI Decadal Plan
- Presented STI Decadal Plan Chapter on Internationalisation to the DSI's Extended Executive Committee for incorporation of their inputs to the chapter
- Provided analysis on the evolution of South Africa's international STI partnerships and developed indicators that will ensure implementation of the Decadal Plan priorities in the short, medium and long term
- Negotiated with international partners to secure the DSI's participation in bi-regional research and innovation programmes and initiatives spanning various economic sectors including, food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture, climate change and sustainable energy
- Drafted project proposals outlining work package descriptions, tasks, contractual deliverables and financial resources required, in response to European Commission Calls for proposals from African and European partners
- Oversaw the successful selection of four proposals (i.e
- RINEA, PRE-LEAP RE, LEAP-RE, LEAP4FNSSA) that were co-developed by the DSI and other project consortium partners from Africa and Europe
- Negotiated and secured approximately R10 million over a four year period (i.e
- 2019 – 2022) in foreign investments from international institutions (i.e
- European Commission) to fund implementation of projects and programmes aligned to the DSI's priorities
- Managed and coordinated the implementation of donor funded projects and programmes, ensuring that contractual deliverables and activities as stipulated in the project grant agreements and proposals, were implemented according to agreed time-frames
- Represented the DSI in African multilateral and bi-continental governance platforms, such as the African Union (AU) Specialised Technical Committee on Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)
- Represented the DSI in task force and working group meetings aimed at developing continental STI strategies and bi-continental STI agenda setting documents
- Developed input papers and delivered presentations providing policy analysis and highlighting South Africa's STI priorities, with the aim of influencing and pushing for the inclusion of DSI STI priorities in the above mentioned STI strategies and agenda setting documents
- Drafted briefing notes highlighting South Africa's foreign policy positions and the DSI's White Paper priorities, with the aim of guiding the Minister's inputs and recommendations in strategic continental and bi-continental engagements
- Facilitated the development of mechanisms in partnership with international stakeholders to support publicly financed intellectual property made available in support of South Africa's SMMEs and industries
- Facilitated the development of mechanisms aimed at promoting the inclusion and participation of historically disadvantaged institutions in joint research collaboration programmes with their counterparts in Africa and Europe
- Created mechanisms to ensure the inclusion and exposure of women, youth and innovators (tech SMMEs) to international partnership opportunities
- Conceptualised and facilitated implementation of STI initiatives in response to South Africa's Chairmanship of the African Union in 2020
- These initiatives were aimed at: - Establishing a platform to address gender imbalances for women in STEM - advancing the development of an African-led framework on the fourth industrial revolution - developing a platform for the uptake of science advise for African policy makers
- Conceptualised and implemented a human capital development programme aimed at promoting intra-Africa mobility by encouraging South African students and unemployed graduates, through information sharing sessions and awareness raising campaigns, to pursue their postgraduate studies in universities located in other African countries
- Conceptualised and implemented continental research chair initiative aimed at developing research for the formulation of industrial policies in order to drive Africa's development agenda and to ultimately leverage the African Free Trade Continental Area
- Conceptualised and planned policy dialogues and technical exchanges in partnership with multisectoral stakeholders (i.e
- Governments in Africa and Europe, AU, SADC, UNECA, EC, private sector companies, universities, SMMEs, other government departments and entities) with a view to: - Achieve structural transformation and inclusive economic growth as a result of opportunities brought about through the fourth industrial revolution and the intersection between industrialisation and innovation; - Identify solutions to achieve regional integration through value chains that promote trade cooperation, transnational research cooperation, technology transfer, and innovation-led economies; and - Support youth and women-led tech start-up companies as part of addressing unemployment and encouraging access to foreign markets
- Coordinated the nomination and appointment of highly reputed South African scientists and STI practitioners as leaders in high-level African multilateral and bi-continental STI institutions to promote South Africa's STI interests
- Drafted speeches for the Minister, Deputy Minister and Director-General of the DSI for delivery in international engagements and fora
- Represented the DSI's strategic orientation and STI policy positions in national government cluster meetings focused on international cooperation trade and security
- Delivered presentations in international meetings and conference sessions and workshops with national and international stakeholders
- Provided coaching and mentorship to employees reporting to me in line with Batho Pele principles
- Managed performance contracts and conducted bi-annual reviews and annual assessments to monitor the performance of employees and to keep them motivated
- In acting Director capacity, I provided leadership in my directorate by: - Overseeing strategic management processes through the development of the Directorate's operational plans - Ensuring that officials' performance agreements are aligned to operational plan in order to achieve quarterly and annual outputs - Overseeing the quarterly performance of the directorate by conducting operational plan reviews to track and assess implementation of the operational plan and the performance agreement targets of officials in the directorate - Conducting and chairing interviews for the recruitment of staff as a response to capacity constraints
- Managing the directorate's goods and services and transfers budget.
Assistant Director: Africa Multilateral Cooperation
Department of Science and Innovation
04.2013 - 04.2016
- Coordinated a Task Team of officials from research and science councils to produce a draft framework for the creation of a South African women in science engineering and technology (SET) Chapter aimed at promoting the participation of women in SET-based industries within South Africa and to provide a platform for them to forge networks in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region
- Served on a working group, together with representatives from Namibia and the SADC Secretariat to draft and finalise a Charter for the establishment of a regional women in SET organisation
- The Charter was adopted by Ministers of Science and Education in 2018
- Coordinated a panel discussion workshop with key stakeholders in science and research councils, private sector, government departments and academic institutions to establish a South African position on the Science Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2024)
- Following the workshop, I drafted a synthesis report outlining recommendations which formed part of South Africa's inputs to the draft strategy at the 2014 African Union Summit
- Coordinated the strategic and financial support of the DSI within four AU Development Agency (formerly NEPAD) STI centres of excellence in support of the AU's STISA 2024 and Agenda 2063
- Analysed and assessed annual progress and financial reports and advised DSI senior and executive management on the performance and implementation of business plans by the centres of excellence and evaluated the implications for the DSI
- Facilitated drafting of periodic contractual agreements in accordance with the strategic objectives of the DSI and facilitated transfer of funds from the DSI to the centres of excellence in accordance with the public finance management act (PFMA)
- Participated in the development of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) study to assess the impact of a Pan-African centre of excellence focused on mathematical sciences
- I wrote a literature review for this M&E study
- Provided support in developing risk registers aimed at mitigating the risks of four regional centres of excellence funded by the DSI.
Administrative Assistant: 20 Year Review
Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation
01.2013 - 03.2013
- Liaised with senior government officials to submit an overview of the milestones achieved and challenges experienced by their national and provincial departments since the inception of democracy in South Africa
- Developed a tracking sheet to monitor the responses and participation of government departments in the 20 Year Review
- Developed a filing system to keep an efficient record of all stakeholder engagements and research conducted in support of the final 20 Year Review publication.
Research Associate: Africa Watch
Consultancy Research Africa (now in On Africa)
08.2014 - 04.2015
- Conducted research on cutting edge socio-economic and geo-political developments in Africa and other parts of the globe
- Wrote discussion papers targeted at international clients interested in investing in commercial and socio-economic enterprises in African countries
- Sourced creative content on a weekly basis which was posted on the CAI Facebook and LinkedIn pages and played a part in creating awareness about African solutions to African and global developmental challenges.
Education
MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE IN POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES - Political And International Studies
RHODES UNIVERSITY
Grahamstown, South Africa 03.2013 - 04.2024
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE WITH HONORS (JOINT) IN POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES -
RHODES UNIVERSITY
Grahamstown, South Africa 03.2010 - 04.2010
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE - Political, International Studies And Journalism
RHODES UNIVERSITY
Grahamstown, South Africa 03.2009 - 04.2009
SENIOR CERTIFICATE - undefined
VICTORIA GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL
Skills
Integrity, networking and building relationships, diplomatic acumen, analytic and strategic thinking, conducting research, writing analytic papers, speeches, briefing and advisory documents, policy analysis, policy-making and implementation, coaching and mentorship, employee performance management, strategic planning, project and programme oversight, entity oversight and contract management, financial management, public speaking and avid communicator
undefinedBoard Membership
GROUP ON EARTH OBSERVATION PROGRAMME BOARD, 2022 – 2024, Review scope and substance of GEO Work Programme activities, Assess whether resources committed are commensurate with activities included in GEO Work Programme, Examine proposed implementation plans for GEO Initiatives and Flagships, Collaborate with GEO Secretariat to convene symposia and other events in support of the development and implementation of the GEO Work Programme, Develop an engagement framework to coordinate South Africa and Africa's (i.e. DSI, SANSA, CSIR-NEOSS, AU, SADC, member states) participation in GEO
Publications
- Chapter in the Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan 2021 – 2031
- Chapter 7: “Expanded and Targeted Strategic STI Internationalisation
- Polity Press 2015 “Combating Ebola: The use of mobile technology in overcoming health challenges in Africa”
- Polity Press 2014 “BRICS and the New Development Bank: An alternative model of development for Africa?”
References
- MR BHEKI HADEBE, Director: High End Skills, Department of Science and Innovation, Bheki.Hadebe@dst.gov.za, +27 79 510 8904
- MR DAAN DU TOIT, Deputy Director General: International Cooperation and Resources, Department of Science and Innovation, Daan.duToit@dst.gov.za, +27 76 511 2965
- MS MANDRY NTSHANI, Director: Africa Multilateral Cooperation, Department of Science and Innovation, Mandry.Ntshani@dst.gov.za, +27 82 593 6159
Timeline
Deputy Director: Africa Multilateral Cooperation
Department of Science and Innovation
04.2016 - Current
Research Associate: Africa Watch
Consultancy Research Africa (now in On Africa)
08.2014 - 04.2015
Assistant Director: Africa Multilateral Cooperation
Department of Science and Innovation
04.2013 - 04.2016
MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE IN POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES - Political And International Studies
RHODES UNIVERSITY
03.2013 - 04.2024
Administrative Assistant: 20 Year Review
Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation
01.2013 - 03.2013
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE WITH HONORS (JOINT) IN POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES -
RHODES UNIVERSITY
03.2010 - 04.2010
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE - Political, International Studies And Journalism
RHODES UNIVERSITY
03.2009 - 04.2009
SENIOR CERTIFICATE - undefined
VICTORIA GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL
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