Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Jobs

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

MANAGER: FINANCIAL PLANNING AND ANALYSIS

Job Reference Number: CO 2026/03/-16
Department: 01 – CENTRAL OFFICE
Business Unit:
Industry: Banking/Finance And Investment
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced, and dynamic person to the following position at its Central Office (ARC-CO) in Hatfield, Pretoria
Job Description

Budgeting and Forecasting

Ensure that the necessary training is provided to the internal stakeholders on the policies within area of responsibility.
Oversee the development and maintenance of appropriate policies and procedures in relation to:
Revenue exchange and non-exchange transactions.
External income
Income received in advance.
Pricing and costing; and Project accounting.
Drive the process for annual and multi-year budgets (including forecasting); including ongoing support.
Develop the Budget guidelines, which will be signed off by the CFO.
Provide guidelines for the quarterly forecasting and ensure adherence thereof.
Consolidate the preliminary and final budget documents (i.e., Budgeted Financial, Statements – full set; financial commentary); as submitted by the respective Institutes and / or Divisions)
Submissions of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF/MTEC) and ENE (Estimates of National Expenditure) to the National Treasury, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and other external
Stakeholders as per the agreed standards and agreed timelines.
Provides professional assistance and support to ARC management and staff on budget and
other related matters.

Assist the CFO, in reviewing and prioritising the business cases relating to Capital Expenditure budget.

Management Accounting and Reporting

Provide finance support and input in terms of developing business cases / proposals to ensure that the opportunities pursued are financially viable.
Performing financial analysis on a continuous basis to identify areas of development or improvement.
Analyse revenue and expenditure variances relative to the approved budgets and prepares monthly management reports (A full set of financial statements including financial commentary/ narrative)
Collaboration with other finance managers, to ensure that the integrity and quality of the management reports are of acceptable standards.
Prepare quarterly reports to be submitted to the DALRRD; National Treasury; Statistics South Africa and any external parties as required.
People Management

Manage people development initiatives, succession planning and talent management to meet functional performance standards.
Provide input into workforce planning and implement approved plans to ensure team is suitably staffed to meet sub-functional objectives.
Internal Business Processes

Ad hoc requests from the CFO and other internal stakeholders.
Review of policies and procedures within line of responsibility (i.e. External Income; Income received in advance; Pricing and Costing).
Project Accounting; Budgeting and Forecasting.
Ensure that audit requests are addressed within the agreed timelines as set by the auditors (internal and external).
Implementation of audit improvement initiatives related to area of responsibility.
Ensure that audit findings are addressed
Lead the FP&A function, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis processes to support strategic decision making and business planning.

Job Requirements

B. Com Accounting Hons or equivalent, CA(SA), or CIMA from an accredited institution. An MBA qualification would be an added advantage.
Eight (8) years of responsible, professional experience in budgeting, accounting, forecasting, management reporting or related finance field with at least four (4) years in Senior Management position.
Accounting, auditing, financial modelling and forecasting, and budgeting principles and practices.
Understanding of financial transactions and processes.
Applicable laws and regulations, and financial reporting practices.
Knowledge and advanced experience of computer software, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.
Management Information Systems applications for accounting functions.
Office management principles and practices.
Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Maintaining accurate records and making accurate arithmetic calculations.
Working on several assignments simultaneously, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and working independently within established guidelines.
Experience in working on ERP systems and solutions.
Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Dynamics Systems would be an added advantage.
Providing outstanding customer satisfaction (internally and externally).
Ability to understand and interpret the ARC Act, PFMA and Treasury Regulations.
Examine and verify financial documents and reports.
Enquiries: Mr Kolobe Mashala: arcrecruitment@arc.agric.za

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: 02 APRIL 2026

Competitive remuneration package will be congruent with the scope, responsibilities, and the stature of the position. Competitive remuneration package will be congruent with the scope, responsibilities, and the stature of the position. The appointment will be subject to a positive security clearance, competency/leadership assessments and preference will be given to designated groups (including people with disabilities) in terms of the ARC Employment Equity Plan. Permanent appointments are subject to six (6) months’ probation period. The Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity Act.

Applications accompanied by covering letter, detailed CV (Including certified copies of certificates, supporting documents, copy of driver’s license) and at least three contactable referees must be attached on the form.

SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who do not receive any response four (4) weeks after the closing date must regard their applications as unsuccessful. The company has the right not to appoint.

Click here to apply

RESEARCHER: ENTOMOLOGY

Job Reference Number: PHP0652
Department: 06 – PPRI
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC-Plant Health and Protection (ARC-PHP) seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic person to the following position at Roodeplaat, Pretoria.
Job Description
Plan, undertake and participate in research projects in Biosystematics of Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera or Diptera.
Exploit beneficial uses of the specific expert group.
Participate in the development of molecular diagnostic tools in line with classical taxonomy.
Provide diagnostic services.
Experience in collections management.
Conduct field work.
Compile and manage research budgets.
Actively source new research opportunities and write proposals for funding.
Disseminate research results as scientific peer reviewed publications, congress presentations, popular articles and client reports.
Mentorship of post graduate students.
Job Requirements
MSc in Entomology with 3 years’ relavant experience in the field.
PhD will add as advantage .
SACNASP registration and/or NRF rating.
Substantial record of relevant scientific publications.
Track record of obtaining research funding.
Excellent communication skills.
Proven ability to function successfully in cross-cutting disciplinary teams.
Valid code B & EB driver’s license.

Enquiries: Dr. Bongani Kubheka, Tel: 012 808 8279

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 09 APRIL 2026

A competitive remuneration package will be congruent with the scope, responsibilities and the stature of the position. The appointment will be subject to a positive security clearance (as well as competency and leadership assessments).

Preference will be given to designated groups in terms of the ARC Employment Equity Plan. The Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity Act.

Applications accompanied by a covering letter, detailed CV with at least three recent (3) contactable referees, certified copies of certificates, supporting documents and a copy of driver’s license must be attached on the form.

A SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who do not receive any response four (4) weeks after the closing date must regard their applications as unsuccessful. Permanent appointments are subject to six (6) months’ probation period. The organisation reserves the right not to appoint.

Click here to apply

RE-ADVERT SENIOR RESEARCHER AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

Job Reference Number: ARC-VIMP09101
Department: 09 – RVOPI
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic person to the following position(s) at Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants (ARC-VIMP), Roodeplaat, Pretoria.
Job Description
Project Management & Coordination

The Senior Researcher is responsible for the coordination and supports the management of Research Projects across the Institute; these include supporting and coordination of the following aspects of the projects

Project planning and Initiation.
Equipment and Research Materials.
Project Human Resources.
Project Finances.
Risk Management and Mitigation.
Monitoring, Evaluation, reporting and project close out.
Research, Development, and Innovation

The Senior Researcher is responsible for the coordination and supports the management of Research, development, and innovation, these include the supporting and coordination of the following Research aspects

Invention.
Translation.
Commercialization.
Adoption and Use.
Research Collaboration

The Senior Researcher is responsible for the coordination and supports the management of strategic research collaboration and collaboration opportunities; these include the supporting and coordination of

Strategic Research partnerships / networks / collaborators.
Intra-Inter Institutional Collaboration & Partnerships.
Human Capacity Building

The Senior Researcher is responsible for coordination and supports the management of Human Capacity Development that includes support of

Project staff and students.
Self.
Job Requirements
PhD in Agricultural Economics or a closely related field.
At least 5 years post-PhD experience or equivalent relevant experience.
Minimum of 12 peer-reviewed publications in recognized journals.
Proven ability to generate research funding and manage projects.
Recognized national expertise with evidence of growing international recognition.
Proven experience in mentoring and supervising postgraduate students.
Competency in SPSS, Stata, and/or EViews for data analysis.
Strong understanding of South Africa’s agricultural sector.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Sound understanding of the priorities and challenges facing the agricultural sector in South Africa.
Ability to build and manage relationships with other researchers, as well as a wide range of stakeholders outside ARC.
NRF rating of at least C1 or higher will be an added advantage.
Valid driver’s license.
NB: Candidates who previously applied for the position, should not re-apply.

Inquiries: Dr. Lerato Matsaunyane, Tel: (012) 800 8000

CLOSING DATE FOR THE APPLICATIONS: 17 APRIL 2026

Competitive remuneration package will be congruent with the scope, responsibilities, and the stature of the position. The appointment will be subject to a positive security clearance and preference will be given to designated groups in terms of the ARC Employment Equity Plan. Permanent appointments are subject to six (6) months’ probation period. The Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity Act.

Applications accompanied by covering letter, detailed CV (Including certified copies of certificates, supporting documents, copy of driver’s license and at least three contactable referees) must be attached on the form.

NB: Non-RSA citizens with work permit must attach certified copies.

SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who do not receive any response four (4) weeks after the closing date must regard their applications as unsuccessful. The company has the right not to appoint.

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications