Artikel 9

1. The Council shall appoint a Director-General for a fixed period and may terminate the appointment at any time in accordance with Staff Regulations to be approved, by decision, by the Council. The Director-General shall act as the chief executive officer of the SKAO and act as its legal representative. The Director-General shall report to the Council.
2. The functions of the Director-General shall be to:
a) Exercise project, operational and financial authority as provided by the Council;
b) Submit an annual report to the Council;
c) Submit budget estimates to the Council;
d) Submit audited annual accounts to the Council;
e) Attend Council meetings in a consultative capacity unless the Council otherwise decides;
f) Be responsible for general management of SKAO;
g) Be accountable for health and safety; and
h) Perform all other duties as delegated by the Council.
3. Subject to Article 8, paragraph 3 (a), the Director-General shall be assisted by such scientific, technical, and administrative staff as the Director-General may consider necessary within the limits authorised by the Council. Such staff shall be engaged and dismissed by the Director-General in accordance with the Staff Regulations.
4. The Director-General and Staff shall respect the international character of the SKAO and perform their duties in the sole interests of the SKAO.