Job Description

The Centre for Graduate Support aims to create an enabling environment for postgraduate students to successfully complete their studies. This is achieved by providing courses, workshops, funding, and other relevant opportunities with the aim of equipping postgraduate students and staff members with the necessary research skills and resources required for the successful completion of their studies. View the UFS website: https://www.ufs.ac.za/centreforgraduatesupport/centreforgraduatesupporthome/events/calendar-overview.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may be submitted only 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

Strategic planning

• Position the University's postgraduate and researcher capacity development programmes at a level of both national and international excellence.
• Develop, refine, and implement strategic support programmes for postgraduate students to impact throughput, time to completion, graduation, and dropout rates.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate researcher capacity development programmes for staff and emerging researchers strategically.
• Support faculties in the facilitation of research and research supervision skills development.
• Provide strategic support to staff to acquire higher degree qualifications and assist with their development as leading researchers.
• Develop and implement strategies to successfully run the applications, admissions, and enrolment processes for postgraduate students at the University of the Free State.
• Develop and implement strategies to successfully manage the theses submissions processes at the University of the Free State.
• Develop strategies to assist with the sourcing of external funding for bursaries and scholarships to support postgraduate students.

Policy and guideline development

• Develop and review policies relevant to postgraduate education at the University of the Free State.
• Develop and review guidelines relevant to postgraduate education at the University of the Free State.
• Respond to the policy documents and draft proposals and reports relating to postgraduate studies from the Department of Higher Education and Training.

General administration

• Manage tuition fee funding and applications of postgraduate students effectively at the University of the Free State.
• Manage the human resources needs of the Centre for Graduate Support effectively.
• Manage the operational funds for the Centre for Graduate Support effectively.
• Manage the research component of the University Capacity Development Grant for the University of the Free State effectively.
• Apply for and coordinate the Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme posts for the University and effectively managing the associated funds.
• Monitor, assess and maintain the infrastructure needs of the Centre for Graduate Support effectively.
• Attend committee meetings on behalf of the Centre for Graduate Support as required.

Inherent Job Requirements

• Doctoral degree qualification on NQF Level 10.
• A minimum of eight (8) years' relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities, of which at least three (3) years should have been in a managerial capacity.

Competencies

Key Competencies Required:

• Results-orientation

- The ability to stick with tasks, not give up and overcome obstacles in completing one's task.
- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and fulfil obligations.

• Strategic thinking

- The ability to plan work and to follow plans.
- The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.

• Business acumen

- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficiency in using MS Office.

• Leadership

- The ability to lead, take charge of situations and offer opinions and direction to others.
- The ability to cooperate with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building coalitions

- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
- The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Required Documents

Please ensure all relevant documentation is attached to your application.

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

Assumption of duties
As soon as possible.

Closing date
25 February 2024.

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 051 401 9737 or email JonesEY@ufs.ac.za. In addition, kindly contact 051 401 9012/ 9329/ 9848 for assistance.

General

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a competency exercise, which will be communicated following the shortlisting process.

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.

Additional Information

University of the Free State