Page 233 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION

Overview of HR matters within The Human Resource Management function cannot
the context and challenges as a ignore the rapid evolution of technology, particularly
the growing relevance of artificial intelligence
public entity: (AI), which continues to reshape the research

The South African Medical Research Council and innovation landscape. Digital transformation
(SAMRC) delivers its work in an environment that opportunities enhance human resource efficiency
has a scarcity of jobs related to specific skills set, and future readiness, which are essential to ensure
knowledge and level of experience. Jobs affected the organisation remains not only responsive to
by skills shortages are Epidemiologists, Medical change but also positioned as an employer of
Demographers, National Data Managers, Specialist choice in an increasingly flexible knowledge-based
Statisticians, Research Clinicians, Study Nurses and economy.
certain Information Technology jobs. These jobs
tend to demand high salaries, owing to careers While we acknowledge that change can bring
that are not only scarce but critical for completing challenges, it also presents a valuable opportunity
important tasks. As a public entity with a modest for growth, alignment, and renewed purpose. The
budget, it can be challenging to acquire these skills recent leadership transition and the evolving culture
in the highly competitive labour market. within the SAMRC mark an exciting time for creative
resilience while remaining steadfast in a commitment
It is in this context that the Human Resource to delivering high-impact results through its people.
Management function remains committed to
delivering impactful science through its people by HR priorities and the impact of
means of deploying a transformative and human these priorities while highlighting
capital-enhancing Integrated Talent Management
Framework (ITMF) to attract, retain and develop achievements:
current and future capacity of healthcare research As a public entity operating within a complex and
skills. Furthermore, at the SAMRC, we are committed dynamic environment, the SAMRC recognises itself
to remedying the skewed distribution in job as a complex and adaptive social system facing
opportunities and resources, thus, we do not only challenges that are multifaceted, multidimensional,
promote equal opportunity and fair treatment in and reflective of both national and global shifts.
employment as enshrined in the Employment Equity These challenges present not only significant risks
Act. SAMRC is committed to advancing an inclusive but also transformative opportunities, necessitating
organisational culture that welcomes and promotes systemic change and organisational agility.
a diversity of ideas, experiences and perspectives.
In line with the ITMF, the SAMRC acknowledges
Amidst the dynamic and evolving landscape of that no improvement initiative can be considered
increasing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and in isolation. The interrelated and interdependent
ambiguity, all of which demand organisational agility nature of all organisational elements requires a
and resilience, the SAMRC appointed a new Chief holistic and coordinated response. Within this
Executive Officer and President. This leadership context, three HR strategic priorities were identified:
transition, with the recruitment and selection that
unfolded seamlessly, marked a pivotal milestone for i. Driving cultural and organisational change.
the organisation. The appointment deepened the
ambitious mission of advancing the nation’s health ii. Building human capacity for the long-term
and quality of life. In addition, the SAMRC’s design sustainability of South African research.
is undergoing tremendous leadership changes iii. Investing in HR technology to strengthen digital
with the ongoing retirement of more than 50% of capabilities.
our senior management team. These transitions
have a profound impact on organisational culture Concerning the cultural and organisational
and present valuable opportunities for innovation, change, the SAMRC continued to embed a
renewal, and strategic alignment. culture of adaptability and inclusivity, driven by

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