Head: Judicial And Governance Services at Durban University of Technology

HEAD: JUDICIAL AND GOVERNANCE SERVICES

• The Head: Judicial and Governance Services is responsible for leading and managing DUT’s student judicial, legal support, and governance functions. The role oversees disciplinary processes, student governance structures, committee administration, and compliance with statutory and institutional requirements. It ensures fairness, accountability, and transparency in all student-related governance matters.
• The position provides strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary team, supports regulatory reporting, and serves as the key liaison with government and external bodies on student governance issues. This role requires strong legal, governance, and stakeholder management expertise, along with the ability to handle sensitive and complex matters professionally.

Minimum Education Requirement

• An appropriate qualification (NQF 8) in Law, Higher Education Governance, or Compliance.

Ideal Education Requirement

• Master’s Degree (NQF 9) in Law, Governance, or Public Administration.

Minimum Experience Requirement

• 7 years’ experience in governance, legal, or compliance environments.
• At least 3 years at supervisory/management level.

Ideal Experience Requirement

• 10 years’ experience in higher education governance or judicial services, including legal and student governance oversight.

Key Competencies Requirements
Minimum:
Note to applicants: CV to include details demonstrating the following minimum requirements for the role:

• Knowledge of the Higher Education Act and governance frameworks.
• Experience in governance, judicial, or compliance management.
• Knowledge of legal processes, contract management, and risk.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience in committee administration or governance reporting.

Ideal:

• Legal qualification with experience in higher education governance.
• Knowledge of DHET, CHE, and SAQA compliance requirements.
• Ability to lead multi-functional governance teams.
• Experience in student governance oversight and stakeholder relations.
• Strong understanding of institutional statutes and rules.

Legal Requirements
Minimum:

• Knowledge of Constitutional Law, Higher Education Act, POPIA, and DHET compliance requirements.
• Admission as an attorney or advocate is advantageous but not essential.

Training and Knowledge
Minimum:

• Knowledge of DUT statutes, SRC Constitution, and governance policies.
• Familiarity with Council and Senate processes and compliance reporting.
• Understanding of disciplinary procedures for staff and students.
• Legal knowledge of contracts, litigation, and compliance risks.
• Experience in student governance oversight and stakeholder engagement.

Special Requirements

• Willingness to work extended hours during governance cycles, hearings, or student elections.
• Ability to manage sensitive legal, governance, and disciplinary matters.
• Commitment to DUT’s values, transformation, inclusivity, and governance excellence.

Summary of Duties

• Lead DUT’s student judicial and governance services, ensuring fair and compliant disciplinary processes.
• Oversee hearings, appeals, case preparation, advisory opinions, and legal research for student matters.
• Provide leadership to Student Governance, ensuring effective SRC structures, elections, and governance processes.
• Supervise Committee Administration and ensure accurate agendas, minutes, records, and governance reporting.
• Liaise with DHET, CHE, SAQA, and sector bodies on governance and compliance matters.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, DUT Statute, governance frameworks, and student governance rules.
• Maintain governance-related risk registers and oversee compliance audits.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to Legal Specialist, Paralegal, Head: Committee Administration, and Head: Student Governance.
• Manage budgets, POPIA compliance, confidential records, and submissions to Senate, Council, and regulatory bodies.
• Promote fairness, transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in all judicial and governance processes.

In pursuance of ENVISION2030, the ideal incumbent:

• Epitomises and demonstrates values- and principles-driven leadership and management, the DUT DNA and The DUT Way.
• Fosters visionary and transformative leadership that is efficient, effective and impactful not only internally, but in our broader society nationally and internationally.
• Embeds systems thinking and management in the implementation of plans and projects, while ensuring sustainability.
• Takes leadership in ensuring that our education philosophy statement ‘our innovation and entrepreneurship shapes adaptive graduates that transform society’ is not only enacted across DUT, but is a lived experience among, primarily, academics and students.
• Is creative and innovative, deliberative and decisive, and is a leader, a strategist and a manager.
• Is a seasoned academic leader with a proven record of academic excellence.

Closing Date 27 February 2026