Dr Neville Anthony Sweijd's current role is in leadership and management of scientific research in the region and in South Africa in the domain of Earth Systems Sciences. The main task has been the implementation and development of the ACCESS programme that has required the construction of a network of research partners in South Africa and beyond (regionally and internationally). This has involved the development and implementation of both a scientific strategy and accompanying education and training strategy for the ACCESS programme and in policy and strategy at a governmental level. This also involves creating research consortia for various research programmes and projects.
The task has also involved developing and implementing the required institutions infrastructure and systems for the programme. The work has required engagement at all levels, from high schools & undergraduate levels through postgraduates &senior academic staff to leadership at major institutions, agencies and government departments (including Ministerial level engagement). Operationally the work includes the development of a range of administration inter alia the development and implementation of programme management systems, the development and adjudication of scientific research calls and the management of a staff of colleagues reporting to me. Dr Sweijd has also been co-opted to manage a range of related tasks in other organisations including performance assessments and reviews.
The work has required the authoring and editing of many documents ranging from policy and position papers, to strategic plans and business plans, reports, financial accounting and legal contracts/MOUs/Agreements and scientific publications. He has also authored and co-authored many successful funding and research proposals for both local and international collaborations and opportunities.
The position also requires that he represent the programme and its host government department in many local and international meetings where he regularly present various aspects of their work, outputs and strategy.
The role has required the conceiving and hosting of several major events (academic and others) including international conferences, events and side events at major international meetings, organising workshops (training workshops, scientific workshops and seminars and strategy workshops) and a range of levels of management meetings and working committee membership. The work also involves a significant amount of engagement with the media through interviews, popular articles and other promotional work.
He also conduct research and publish scientific papers in peer reviewed journals.
The role he have now and have had throughout his career as a whole is varied in its demands and requires creativity, adaptability, emotional maturity and sensitivity to the wide range of factors and imperatives to consider in the modern South African and regional socio-political professional environment.
