Project and Strategic Fund Manager at Stellenbosch University

Duties    

• We are looking for a dynamic, dedicated and seasoned Project and Strategic Fund Manager with leadership attributes to join our team at Stellenbosch University and manage our key institutional projects through meticulous planning, effective execution, focused change management and strong stakeholder engagement. Our projects are multidisciplinary and diverse in terms of size, scope, focus/theme/field and stakeholders, but with the common thread that they are institutional and strategic in nature. Projects include, amongst others, the University's vision and strategy planning (2016-2018), the University's Centenary commemoration (2017-2018), repositioning the University's radio station (ongoing), and creating a project and change management methodology and platform (ongoing). Construction and IT projects are specifically excluded. An anchor project and focus for this role will be managing and overseeing the Stellenbosch University Strategic Fund, a fund that advances the University's vision and strategy through various projects.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing detailed project plans and schedules for diverse projects to ensure timely and successful delivery. This will include transitioning to an online platform for managing applications and projects (project planning and development, with specific reference to the Strategic Fund);
• Developing and refining administrative systems and procedures, ensuring alignment with SU policies, financial standards, and legal requirements. Conducting thorough reviews and evaluations to ensure compliance and eligibility. Developing and implementing systems to monitor and evaluate project progress, to optimise new systems, and to support impact assessments (monitoring and evaluation);
• Overseeing the entire lifecycle of projects and fund processes. Coordinating the receipt, acknowledgement, and tracking of Strategic Fund applications, and managing the allocation and disbursement of funds (project execution and fund management);
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring smooth interactions related to projects and the Strategic Fund process (stakeholder engagement).
• If you're a proactive, detail-oriented professional with experience in project management and strategic funding, we want to hear from you! 

Job Requirements    
Essential qualifications and work experience:

• We will consider applicants within the following variations in terms of qualifications and work experience: 
• Variation 1: A Master of Business Administration (MBA) (NQF level 9), with a specialisation in project management, plus three years' experience in project management; OR
• Variation 2: An honours degree or equivalent qualification (NQF level 8), some kind of project management qualification (e.g. a short course), plus five years' experience in project management; OR
• Variation 3: A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification, plus a postgraduate diploma in project management on an NQF level 8, plus five years' experience in project management; OR
• Variation 4: A project management qualification on NQF level 8 at a higher education institution or professional project management institution, with seven years' experience in project management. 

In addition, applicants must have:

• Demonstrable experience in leading a variety of projects, differing in scope and size;
• Experience in optimally using collaborative project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Asana, Wrike);
• The ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual and multicultural environment, specifically in English and Afrikaans.
• Please note that applicants who do not meet all the requirements will not be considered.

Competencies

Technical competencies

• All applicants must complete an online questionnaire that illustrates their understanding of the application of project management methodology and how they would apply it to projects within the University environment (excluding construction and IT projects). Applicants selected for an interview will also be required to complete psychometric tests before the day of the interview, as well as a practical assessment on the day of the interview.
• To access the questionnaire, please copy the following link into your browser: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/599dd12f31544e628aece3c7990b5530 

Leadership competencies:

• Project and change management: The ability to manage assigned projects by applying principles, methods or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating and managing project resources, including technical performance. The ability to manage a change process; the mobilisation of resources; removal of barriers/resistance to change; 
• Financial management: Knowledge of the financial processes to justify and administer the financial budget. The ability to oversee the procurement process. The ability to monitor expenditure and profit to ensure sound fiscal responsibility;
• Impact and presence: The ability to command attention from others; projecting confidence; having a presence; coming across as energised, focused, credible and compelling;
• Strategic thinking: Demonstrate an understanding and insight of the vision, mission and long-term strategy of the University; actively contributing to the strategic direction of the organisation; formulating short-, medium- and long-term strategy to position the University in the marketplace;
• Analytical thinking: The ability to analyse and evaluate data methodically; reading with and drawing conclusions from facts and data;
• Resilience: The ability to deal calmly and effectively and prevail in stressful situations, taking a long-term view of success and failure in pursuing goals despite obstacles and setbacks, including the capacity to bounce back from adversity;
• Conceptual thinking: The ability to effectively utilise and apply abstract ideas and concepts; identifying underlying issues, patterns or connections;
• Building collaborative partnerships: The ability to build and effectively maintain relationships with others, including clients and stakeholders; engaging and influencing others in a collaborative way. The ability to confidently express one's ideas and feelings in an open and honest way without putting others down or violating their rights;
• Accountability: Accepting full responsibility for one's own actions, being reliable and taking ownership of the role; accepting the consequences of one's actions without making excuses and/or blaming others.

Recommendation    

• Registration as a project management professional at a professional organisation for project management, e.g. PMI;
• Experience as a project manager in higher education.