TENET is a not-for-profit legal entity and the designated operator of South Africa’s National Research and Education Network (NREN). The NREN provides dedicated bandwidth including international connectivity to the universities, science councils and associated supporting institutions, in collaboration with the state-funded South African National Research Network (SANReN) which is responsible for the bulk of the NREN’s network infrastructure.

Both SANReN and TENET are close collaborators on the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System in the design and deployment of SANReN, and delivery of a range of advanced research and education network services, in addition to network capacity. The global NREN landscape is undergoing a significant future-oriented shift, where these organisations are beginning to offer specialised services to the higher learning and research communities, including supporting services to virtual communities engaged in dedicated research domains, and in scholarly publishing.

TENET invites applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO will be responsible for providing strategic, future-oriented, financial and operational leadership while working closely with the Board and management team to maximise stakeholder value. The position is available with effect from 1 June 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The CEO will be accountable for:

• Developing and implementing the Board approved, five year strategy for the period 2027 to 2031;
• Providing effective leadership to the management team to plan, implement and direct the organisation’s operational and financial performance.
• Strengthening and sustaining an enabling governance framework including fit for purpose policies, procedures and controls to enhance operational effectiveness and accountability;
• Deepening and strengthening partnerships between TENET and the higher education and research sector;
• Playing a visible leadership role in the national research and higher education ecosystem, representing the interests of TENET member institutions in the formulation of relevant national policy and interventions, and working to create an enabling digital context for member institutions to flourish locally and globally;  
• Regularly evaluating the company’s financial, operational, and support structures to plan for continuous improvements, sustainability and operational efficiencies.
• Maintaining and expanding TENET’s collaboration with the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System and other partner organisations, including the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI); and
• Sustaining and strengthening a people-centred, service-oriented organisational culture aligned with TENET’s values and mandate.

The successful candidate will have:

• A postgraduate degree from a recognised institution, noting that a PhD will be advantageous;
• A broad understanding of the primary functional roles of TENET and the context within which it operates;
• A track record of service delivery experience in a complex digital technology environment;
• An understanding of the major issues facing the South African research enterprise, and the potential applications of digital technologies in meeting these challenges including international research collaboration;
• Familiarity with the science, technology, and innovation policy and governance landscape in South Africa;
• An understanding of the role of the State in steering the higher education and research systems;
• A track record of experience in cultivating collaborative relationships with partner organisations, both nationally and internationally.

The package offered is negotiable, dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Applicants should submit a covering letter, a CV, and details of three contactable referees by email to ceo-recruitment@tenet.ac.za.

Closing date for applications: 22 March 2026