C
Assistant: Business Support (Durban Regional Office) at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
September 05, 2026
Full-time
On-site
About the job:
The CSIR has a vacancy for Assistant: Business Support (Durban Regional Office) in the Facilities Management and Security Services Unit. The incumbent will assist the Site Support Manager to provide a reliable, professional business support service to the site. The Business Support Assistant will assist by providing an effective and efficient service that covers Registry, Document Production; Meeting/Board Room Management, Waste Management, Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Support, Cleaning, Fleet Custodian and Messenger/Driver support. This position is based in the Durban Regional Office.
This position reports to the Manager: Site Support
Key responsibilities:
Registry / Mail Services
Handle incoming and outgoing mail (e.g., Sort incoming mail from post office, prepare
Outgoing mail, frank correct postage and pack parcels).
Record mail in appropriate files for charging other departments and update records.
Maintain records of materials filed or removed from registry.
Administer and safe handling of registered mail.
Administer franking postage machine.
Package and distribution of parcels to various destinations.
Create new records as required or add new materials to existing records.
Retrieval of records on time in response to requests from authorised users.
Control access to archived materials or records.
Maintain registry consumables.
Prepare monthly Registry / mail services report.
Document Production and Print Support
Assist various departments with document production of reports e.g. photocopying & binding
Troubleshoot basic technical problems, e.g. printer jams, system crashes, and take corrective action.
Timeously log calls to report problems with the printers and fax machines.
Interact with customers to understand their customer needs.
Ensure availability of sufficient inventory of toners and papers to ensure continuous service.
Ensure safe and environmentally friendly disposal of empty cartridges through registered service provider and obtain safe disposal certificates / waste manifests.
Compile monthly report and prepare charges on document production statistics.
Boardroom support
Set up and test equipment daily according to client requirements and adhere to set standards.
Coordinate and monitor bookings for VC sessions by conducting weekly checks with other CSIR sites.
Provide technical assistance by liaising with ICT Services in Pretoria.
Assist external clients with Boardroom / videoconference bookings and set up.
Ensure continuous improvement of facility.
Maintain meeting/board room/s equipment.
Put out tables and chairs for meetings & workshops.
Fleet Custodian
Ensure designated / assigned vehicles are managed efficiently.
Carry out vehicle inspections on designated vehicles to ensure cleanliness.
Arrange for washing of vehicles as and when needed.
As directed by the Site Support Manager (SSM), be responsible for the maintenance of designated vehicles and inform SSM when repair / services need to be carried out.
Report faults/ damages to the Site Support Manager to arrange repairs.
Take care of all essential vehicle auxiliary documents such as petrol card etc.
Prepare monthly fleet report.
Capture monthly vehicle usage entries into PeopleSoft Carlog system for cost recovery.
Waste Management
Ensure all waste is managed and disposed of safely.
Identify opportunities to reduce and recycle waste on site.
Report any unhealthy / foul smells resulting from waste to the Site Support Manager.
Gather data on waste for reporting purposes.
Perform weekly campus housekeeping inspections and action accordingly.
Prepare monthly waste report.
EHS / Security
Perform duties as SHE Representative for Facilities Management.
Report unsafe acts and conditions to the Site Support Manager.
Attend monthly SHE Meetings.
Issue and control security access cards and ensure users are billed accordingly.
Ensure security logs are maintained by security.
Ensure all security related equipment is operational and where required calls are logged
Messenger/Driver Support
Collect, pickup, deliver and distribute mail, documents and other materials as required.
Ensure proper control over documents and effective record keeping.
Collect invoices to ensure that finance process payment on time.
Handle packages and documents with care especially those marked fragile.
Drive staff or delegates of the CSIR to appointments from/ to various locations and functions during working days and after hours when necessary.
Adhere to the rules of the road to minimise accidents, traffic fine and uphold the CSIR image.
Ensure safety of road users by being alert and taking safety precautions to avoid accidents (harm, fatalities, legal actions, costs etc.).
Project a positive image for the CSIR both internally and externally when on duty by maintaining professional conduct.
Accurate Logging of trips.
Receive monthly trip authorisation to collect statements as per request from Finance to reconcile financial books.
Ensure that the delivery is done in a timely manner.
Adhere to privacy.
Maintain communication with destination and point of departure.
Prepare monthly driving support report.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
Grade 12
Managing registry service
Document Production and Printing
Boardroom support
Fleet Management
Waste Management
SHE / Security
Messenger/Driver Support
Driver's licence
Knowledge and competence in providing business support services covering Registry, Document Production; Boardroom / Seminar Room Management, Waste Management, Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Support, Cleaning, Fleet Management and Messenger/Driver Support.
Familiar with Occupational Health and Safety Act as it relates to SHE Representative duties
Basic IT skills to support Boardroom support in terms of VC
Basic word-processing skills as it relates to Excel
Good organisational skills
Attention to detail
All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
A minimum of 3 years' experience in Facilities Support Services, with a solid track record in the following areas:
What's in it for you?
The CSIR offers:
Learning and development opportunities.
Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.
Closing date: 11 September 2026
The CSIR has a vacancy for Assistant: Business Support (Durban Regional Office) in the Facilities Management and Security Services Unit. The incumbent will assist the Site Support Manager to provide a reliable, professional business support service to the site. The Business Support Assistant will assist by providing an effective and efficient service that covers Registry, Document Production; Meeting/Board Room Management, Waste Management, Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Support, Cleaning, Fleet Custodian and Messenger/Driver support. This position is based in the Durban Regional Office.
This position reports to the Manager: Site Support
Key responsibilities:
Registry / Mail Services
Handle incoming and outgoing mail (e.g., Sort incoming mail from post office, prepare
Outgoing mail, frank correct postage and pack parcels).
Record mail in appropriate files for charging other departments and update records.
Maintain records of materials filed or removed from registry.
Administer and safe handling of registered mail.
Administer franking postage machine.
Package and distribution of parcels to various destinations.
Create new records as required or add new materials to existing records.
Retrieval of records on time in response to requests from authorised users.
Control access to archived materials or records.
Maintain registry consumables.
Prepare monthly Registry / mail services report.
Document Production and Print Support
Assist various departments with document production of reports e.g. photocopying & binding
Troubleshoot basic technical problems, e.g. printer jams, system crashes, and take corrective action.
Timeously log calls to report problems with the printers and fax machines.
Interact with customers to understand their customer needs.
Ensure availability of sufficient inventory of toners and papers to ensure continuous service.
Ensure safe and environmentally friendly disposal of empty cartridges through registered service provider and obtain safe disposal certificates / waste manifests.
Compile monthly report and prepare charges on document production statistics.
Boardroom support
Set up and test equipment daily according to client requirements and adhere to set standards.
Coordinate and monitor bookings for VC sessions by conducting weekly checks with other CSIR sites.
Provide technical assistance by liaising with ICT Services in Pretoria.
Assist external clients with Boardroom / videoconference bookings and set up.
Ensure continuous improvement of facility.
Maintain meeting/board room/s equipment.
Put out tables and chairs for meetings & workshops.
Fleet Custodian
Ensure designated / assigned vehicles are managed efficiently.
Carry out vehicle inspections on designated vehicles to ensure cleanliness.
Arrange for washing of vehicles as and when needed.
As directed by the Site Support Manager (SSM), be responsible for the maintenance of designated vehicles and inform SSM when repair / services need to be carried out.
Report faults/ damages to the Site Support Manager to arrange repairs.
Take care of all essential vehicle auxiliary documents such as petrol card etc.
Prepare monthly fleet report.
Capture monthly vehicle usage entries into PeopleSoft Carlog system for cost recovery.
Waste Management
Ensure all waste is managed and disposed of safely.
Identify opportunities to reduce and recycle waste on site.
Report any unhealthy / foul smells resulting from waste to the Site Support Manager.
Gather data on waste for reporting purposes.
Perform weekly campus housekeeping inspections and action accordingly.
Prepare monthly waste report.
EHS / Security
Perform duties as SHE Representative for Facilities Management.
Report unsafe acts and conditions to the Site Support Manager.
Attend monthly SHE Meetings.
Issue and control security access cards and ensure users are billed accordingly.
Ensure security logs are maintained by security.
Ensure all security related equipment is operational and where required calls are logged
Messenger/Driver Support
Collect, pickup, deliver and distribute mail, documents and other materials as required.
Ensure proper control over documents and effective record keeping.
Collect invoices to ensure that finance process payment on time.
Handle packages and documents with care especially those marked fragile.
Drive staff or delegates of the CSIR to appointments from/ to various locations and functions during working days and after hours when necessary.
Adhere to the rules of the road to minimise accidents, traffic fine and uphold the CSIR image.
Ensure safety of road users by being alert and taking safety precautions to avoid accidents (harm, fatalities, legal actions, costs etc.).
Project a positive image for the CSIR both internally and externally when on duty by maintaining professional conduct.
Accurate Logging of trips.
Receive monthly trip authorisation to collect statements as per request from Finance to reconcile financial books.
Ensure that the delivery is done in a timely manner.
Adhere to privacy.
Maintain communication with destination and point of departure.
Prepare monthly driving support report.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
Grade 12
Managing registry service
Document Production and Printing
Boardroom support
Fleet Management
Waste Management
SHE / Security
Messenger/Driver Support
Driver's licence
Knowledge and competence in providing business support services covering Registry, Document Production; Boardroom / Seminar Room Management, Waste Management, Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Support, Cleaning, Fleet Management and Messenger/Driver Support.
Familiar with Occupational Health and Safety Act as it relates to SHE Representative duties
Basic IT skills to support Boardroom support in terms of VC
Basic word-processing skills as it relates to Excel
Good organisational skills
Attention to detail
All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
A minimum of 3 years' experience in Facilities Support Services, with a solid track record in the following areas:
What's in it for you?
The CSIR offers:
Learning and development opportunities.
Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.
Closing date: 11 September 2026