Job Description

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) and the four Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs) together constitute the core of the Executive Management of the university. They are appointed with the express confidence of the Council and Senate and share the delegated authority of several functional responsibilities. They provide strategic leadership to the university and are overall responsible for all operational management.The VC and DVCs have line function responsibility for other members of senior management, viz. the Registrar, the Deans, the Senior Directors and Directors. Although each DVC is appointed in the first instance to oversee particular functions, these may change over the course of time at the VC's discretion.As a member of the executive management, the DVCs support and guide the following portfolios:

• Provide academic leadership and planning in the areas of teaching and learning, research and innovation, engaged scholarship and community interaction.
• Oversee the effective management of the University's operations, administration, planning, finances, human resources and facilities.
• Optimise the overall quality of the student experience.
• Interact with external partners, including government, science councils, local and international universities, national, continental and international networks, alumni, business and local communities, and foundations and donors (fundraising).
• Promote equity, diversity and inclusivity through comprehensive transformation.
• Manage risk.
• Ensure quality assurance.

The following portfolios report to the DVC: People and Operations:

• Senior Director: Human Resources
• Senior Director: Information and Communication Technology Services
• Senior Director: University Estates
• Senior Director: Protection Services
• Senior Director: UFS Enterprise

Duties and responsibilities:Generic responsibilities shared by all DVCs:

• Promote integrated administration and management that supports the attainment of the vision, mission, strategy and goals of the University.
• Oversee policy development and implementation.
• Assist the VC to interface between the Council, Senate and senior management to ensure accountability concerning financial and strategic governance as well as the university's core academic functions.
• Foster collegial and participatory internal governance through the committee system.
• Line-manage senior staff including Deans, Senior Directors and Directors.
• Play a leading role in the recruitment of senior staff in all sectors.
• Contribute to National Higher Education policy development and public intellectual life in general.
• Support the achievement of equity targets in the student and staff profiles and provide leadership in the transformation of the institutional culture.
• Facilitate inter-faculty collaboration and cross-university activities.

Post specific responsibilities, in addition to the above generic responsibilities:

• Develop strategic and operational plans in respect of his/her portfolios and ensure that it is aligned with the strategic plans of the UFS.
• Ensure effective integration and alignment of all subordinate divisions' strategy to the institutional strategy.
• Contribute to effective governance and management of the portfolio through ensuring compliance to UFS policies and procedures and national laws.
• Account to the University Council on Audit and Risk, Pension Fund governance and University infrastructure and Human Resources issues of the University through the Vice-Chancellor.
• Ensure compliance of the Department of Labour reporting requirements in terms of overseeing annual labour and equity reports compiled by the human resources division.
• Lead in the development of proposals for infrastructure funding from the DHET.
• Negotiation with Unions on matters relating to salary increases, review of service conditions, resolutions of disputes and insourcing.
• Play a critical role in developing new systems, review systems and manage to ensure total support for institutional core business.
• Direct the activities associated with security and investment of the University's staff, assets and funds.
• The expansion and maintenance of physical infrastructure (working, learning and living spaces) and campus security services.
• Establish and expand UFS Enterprise to address, research, and solve industries' most pressing unresolved challenges through student-led initiatives, supported by academics.

Inherent Job Requirements

• A Doctorate on NQF Level 10.
• Experience in a senior leadership role in an academic institution.
• A minimum of eight years of proven high-level leadership success at a senior level, having progressed through the academic/management hierarchy.
• A demonstrated track record of managing a complex portfolio or running a unit of reasonable size.
• A distinguished academic and research record.
• Recognised academic standing as a professor or eligibility for appointment to the rank of professor.
• Experience of having overall or significant responsibility for managing an organisation's administrative and physical operations, to deliver high quality and performance.
• A successful record of leadership and teamwork.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic thinking and operationalising such thinking into plans and projects.
• An understanding of the higher education arena in South Africa.
• Knowledge of the operations and affairs of a university environment.
• Expertise in financial management and income generation gained from previous roles in higher education or any other sector.

Recommendations

• Can operate confidently and sensitively across cultures and other divides.
• Experience with overseeing enterprise activities will be beneficial.

CompetenciesKey Competencies Required:

• Results-orientation:

- The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable, and to fulfil obligations.
- The ability to be resilient and work effectively under pressure.
- The ability to display well-reasoned decision-making.
- The ability to hold critical conversations as a means of achieving mutually desired goals.

• Strategic thinking:

- The ability to develop strategy and operationalise strategy into plans and projects.

• Business acumen:

- Demonstrates exceptional and effective communication, persuasive and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.

• Leadership:

- The ability to mobilise and inspire others towards shared goals.
- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.

• Building coalitions:

- The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and persuade others.
- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website:Required DocumentsPlease ensure 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.
• A copy of your driver's license.
• Confirmation of employment from current employer / last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).

Assumption of duties
01 January 2026.Closing date
30 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 contact the Acting Senior Director: Human Resources at 051 401 9383 or email ratsoanems@ufs.ac.za . In addition, kindly contact 051 401 9329 or vermaakm@ufs.ac.za 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 Plan is available at: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.Additional Information

University of the Free State