Coordinator: Recruitment & Liaison Postgraduate Studies at University of the Western Cape/Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is one of the research-led teaching and learning universities in South Africa, with the capacity to produce and advance new knowledge and the translation of this knowledge into societal benefits through innovative endeavours. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people, primarily young Africans, to pursue higher education and emerge as agents of change.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides financial, social and academic support to a diverse range of talented undergraduate and postgraduate students who are financially and socially impeded from South Africa and other parts of the African continent.

The Co-ordinator: Recruitment and Liaison Postgraduate Studies will be responsible for the recruitment of postgraduate Scholars of the Program with a particular focus on recruiting young women, refugees and displaced youth, person with disabilities and young men. This will be achieved through the recruitment of postgraduate Mastercard Foundation Scholars to UWC through collaboration and liaison with university partners of the Scholars Program, independent recruitment organizations across the African continent and beyond, NGO’s, Mastercard Foundation Scholar alumni and relevant stakeholders within and external to UWC.

Accountable to the Program Director: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and reporting to the Program Director and Director: Research Development and Postgraduate Studies Office, the responsibilities of the Coordinator: Recruitment and Liaison Postgraduate Studies will include:

• Undertake the annual recruitment of Mastercard Foundation Scholars; conduct in-person and virtual information sessions to promote the scholarship opportunity offered by the Scholars Program;
• Develop the Program’s resource base for the recruitment of postgraduate Mastercard Foundation Scholars (eg application guidelines for Mastercard Foundation Scholars, annual call for applications etc);
• Monitor all submitted applications, verify applicant’s eligibility and track application status quo via the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application portal;
• Annually review, together with the Program Director, recruitment numbers and if necessary revise targets for the next academic year;
• Source information on the approved UWC academic programmes of study for the Scholars Program and on programme admission requirements and make these available to potential Mastercard Foundation Scholarship applicants using the available systems and platforms;
• Respond to recruitment and admission related queries from prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholarship applicants using email, third-party platforms etc;
• Liaise with the Research and Postgraduate Office, the faculties and academic departments through the Deputy Deans for Postgraduate Studies to facilitate the processing of applications for admission of Mastercard Foundation scholarship recipients;
• Collate and maintain recruitment data/statistics of postgraduate Scholars on the Program;
• Regularly monitor and evaluate recruitment processes to inform decision making within the Program related to adjustments and realignments of recruitment strategies;
• Proactively seek opportunities to expand the network of recruitment partners for the Scholars Program, especially from regions outside South Africa;
• Compile, together with the Program Director, UWC’s monthly and quarterly the postgraduate recruitment and liaison reports for submission to the Mastercard Foundation.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements (Qualification and Experience)

• A relevant Bachelor’s Degree at an NQF 7 or an equivalent qualification.
• At least 5 years’ relevant experience preferably in a higher education/research institution.
• Computer Literacy: MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Access/Database, Internet, email.

Required competencies (skills, knowledge, and behavioural attributes):

• Ability to handle multiple projects in a calm demeanour and meet all relevant deadlines.
• Excellent verbal, written and communication skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Student-orientated disposition.
• Knowledge of quality assurance processes.
• Programme development and implementation capabilities.
• Knowledge of higher education processes focusing on student recruitment and enrolment processes.
• Monitoring and evaluation skills.