Job Description

Job Title
Assistant Director: Residence Life and College Communities (post level 7) (Job ID: 6091)
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Student Affairs -> Housing and Residence Affairs
Contract Type
Permanent
Occupational Level
Junior Management
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date
2/4/2025
Description

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Duties and responsibilities

o Residence operational management:

o Ensure effective management of residence life operations at the campus's residence of UFS

o Lead the development of housing and residence affairs plans and operations and ensure executions.

o Facilitate the development of the best practices and standards for managing residences.

o Develop and ensure the implementation of residence manuals, policies, and guidelines for UFS residences.

o Ensure optimal management of residence on UFS campuses.

o Ensure that the residence operations are effectively managed.

o Develop and ensure implementation of the residence code of conduct and HRA policies for UFS.

o Ensure effective management of residence committee elections and appointments.

o Ensure that reported on-campus and off-campus residence/housing incidents are effectively responded to.

o Ensure that operational residence protocols provide support during emergencies and crises.

o Develop and ensure implementation of measures for good residence conduct and management.

o Ensure that residence resources are effectively utilized and accounted for.

o Personnel management:

o Manage the Senior Assistant officer of the Office of Residence Life and Student Communities

o Manage all College Coordinators, Residence Heads, and Programme Coordinators in line with the strategic vision, mission, and values of Housing and Residence Affairs, Student Affairs, and the UFS.

o Manage the continuous professional development of all Residence Heads, College Coordinators, and Programme Coordinators

o Align professional staff development with UFS Human Resources and professionals. These training events are aligned with national and international standards for professional development.

o Lead mentor programmes for all newly appointed staff and mentor all existing staff in alignment with the UFS performance plan.

o Lead HR recruitment processes to fill vacant positions and renew contracts of Residence heads for Bloemfontein and South Campus.

o Lead all disciplinary processes related to Residence Life and Student Communities staff.

o Chair routine meetings and key strategic conversations on matters related to student communities.

o Approve staff leave and plans.

o Management of Residence life and college communities:

o Develop strategies for residence life and colleges in line with the vision, mission and values of Student Affairs and Housing and Residence Affairs.

o Ensure the coordination of college leadership structures.

o Lead the annual year planning of Residence Life and Colleges and align it with Student Affairs and the institution's broader initiatives.

o Develop an implementation plan for Residence life and colleges that include off-campus students and accredited student accommodation.

o Ensure the budget and financial management of the colleges are aligned with the vision, mission and values of Housing and Residence Affairs, Student Affairs and Housing and Residence Affairs.

o Benchmark best practices in managing off-campus student communities and design a strategic plan to manage the off-campus student communities.

o Ensure the optimal strategic plan to respond to the needs and well-being of off-campus students.

o Engage with off-campus service providers to involve them in student life programs.

o Ensure the involvement of off-campus student houses in day residences.

o Ensure the extended student development programs are extended optimally to off-campus students of the UFS.

o Student awards coordinator.

o Budget and financial management:

o Manage the allocated budget per the UFS finance and procurement policies.

o Lead the annual budgeting process for Residence Life and Student Communities.

o Ensure the budget allocation accommodates Bloemfontein and South Campus.

o Lead the annual budget of all Colleges.

o Ensure the financial management of income and expenditure related to Residence Life and Student Communities.

o Management of student leadership development and co-curriculum:

o Lead the programme coordinators in the student development programs.

o Ensure student development programs align with national and international standards.

o Participate in stakeholder committees developing first-year programs for better higher education transition.

o Collaborate with the Director: Student Counselling and Development for optimal student well-being programs.

o Collaborate with the Director: Student Life to align the broader institutional development programs and student support structures.

o Collaborate with other Division of Student Affairs offices to ensure student engagement, student wellness, and student experience is reached optimally.

o Oversee the Residence Committee elections.

o Lead and coordinate the sub-council elections for the following two ex-officio SRC positions: (1) chairperson for the Day/off-campus Students Council; and (2) chairperson for the Campus Residence Council.

o Assessment, monitoring and evaluation:

o Link monitoring-and-evaluation data with conversational interventions to shift specific aspects within student communities.

o Implement monitoring and evaluation strategies.

o Utilize data to inform changes and for strategic reporting.

o Residence community formation and student discipline:

o Lead and facilitate continuous cultural renewal conversations in student communities. These conversations address stereotypes, shared values, and the consequent re-alignment of symbols, systems, residence traditions, and behaviour.

o Collaborate with Strategic Communication and Brand Management to ensure the corporate alignment of student communities with the corporate guidelines of the UFS.

o Coordinate the training of personnel as facilitators of transformational conversations.

o Support the facilitation of disciplinary processes in the residences.

o Refer to the most serious transgressions.

Inherent requirements:

Bachelor's degree or an advanced diploma/BTech degree/postgraduate certificate on NQF Level 7. Minimum of four (4) years' managerial experience in student housing. Minimum of five (5) years relevant working experience in a higher education environment. Valid driver's license.

Recommendations:

Honours degree/postgraduate diploma/professional bachelor's degree on NQF Level 8. Experience within the higher-education environment. Administration experience.
Competencies

Required competencies:

Results orientated:

o The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.

o The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

o Strategic thinking:

o The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.

o The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.

o Business acumen:

o The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.

o Proficient in using MS Office.

o Leading:

o The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.

o The ability to be cooperative with others, display good-natured attitude, and encourage people to work together.

o Building coalitions:

o The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter. Copies of qualifications or proof of qualifications obtained (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications). A copy of your identity document (SA ID or passport for foreign nationals). Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if required). A copy of your driver's license (if required). Confirmation of employment from current employer / last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).

Assumption of duties:

As soon as possible.

Closing date:

2 April 2025.

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 7659 or email SejanamaneP@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9848/ 9813/ 9810/ 9814/ 2979 for assistance.

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at: EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.