Residence Head: Female On-Campus Residence (Secondary Position) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

General Management 

• Report on programmes, activities and challenges arising within the Residence continuously.
• Attend and co-facilitate training programmes/ workshops either for personal development or the development of the students.
• Manage the day residence database.
• File all relevant contracts and agreement forms, election documents.
• Facilitate the implementation of the code of conduct.
• Compile a comprehensive term and annual report on the Residence management.
• Report breakages and maintenance in collaboration with the Service Manager.
• Financial administration and management of the Residence.
• Facilitate OHS with relevant offices.

Student-related management

• Create an inspirational space within the residence community.
• Manage and control the residence, including the establishment and/or maintenance of an academic learning culture within a diverse residence community.
• Manage the residence within the parameters of the stated vision, mission and strategic goals of the UFS and Student Affairs Department.
• Establish the residence as a dynamic and diverse community where transformative living and learning can occur.
• Implement value-driven management in residence and facilitate value-driven dialogues
• Guide the residence committee.
•  Implement the college initiative.
• Provide guidance, direction, advice, and mentorship to students within the residence.
• Create a residence culture that is inclusive of diverse communities.
• Maintain sound working relationships with students.
• Ensure effective communication with all residents about their roles and responsibilities.
• Prioritise the interaction with parents and prospective students.
• Engage residents and parents (where necessary) on the activities and programmes of the residents.

Development, management and supervision of student leaders

• Build and maintain good relations with residence management and ensure that the residence committee functions well and monitors their tasks and responsibilities.
• Facilitate the residence committee elections and appointments.
• Manage and lead the training of residence student leadership, considering opportunities provided by the UFS.
• Actively participate in the yearly planning of the residence committee and ensure that the year plan is finalised and implemented.
• Offer mentorship to leaders where required.
• Facilitate and support continuous team building and individual development.
• Attend residence committee and house meetings as part of the residence management.
• Oversee the first year's election committee.
• Oversee collaboration of Sub-committees, mentors, and other residence second-layer leadership.
• Identifying student leaders and opportunities for leadership development.

Promote the integration of residence living and learning and value-driven culture

• Ensure the welcoming of FTENs within the residence and that this meets the highest University standards.
• Facilitate the residence mentor system by ensuring that mentors are appointed and trained, guide mentors: schedule regular feedback sessions with mentors to offer advice and guidance where required.
• Promote the residence as an environment that enhances student success through student success and engagement: encourage academics and invite guests to visit the residence and to share research.
• Provide support and guidance to students on issues that might arise with regard to personal, life, and/or career and refer, if necessary, to relevant professionals
• Establish a healthy community culture within the residence, particularly regarding the celebration of diversity and participation within the residence, regarding community interaction
• Create an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and student success
• Provide support for academic, medical, emotional, psychological, and social care to ensure each student's personal growth, development, and stability.
• Promote a sense of community for students where they take responsibility for their well-being and their fellow students.
• Support and refer students to the relevant academic departments, UFS and Student Affairs support departments for necessary aid on campus.
•  Act as a role model at all times.

Policy and compliance management

• Ensure the application of policies as conveyed by Student Affairs and Housing and Residence Affairs Departments.
• general UFS policy and relevant department policy and guidelines.
• Ensure that the residents have a proper disciplinary code that fits the student regulations of the university and one that meets value-driven management standards.
• Manage disciplinary incidents in terms of residential students as well as inculcate values amongst the students regarding the disciplinary structure of the residence.
• In collaboration with the Residence Committee, refer disciplinary incidents within the residence to the Student Disciplinary Committee of the University.
• Manage and report other incidents within the residence.
• Implement Residence Placement Policy regarding integration, room allocations, etc.
• Revise student disciplinary procedures.
• Monitor minor offenses, penalties, and the disciplinary committee for severe offenses.
• Handle appeals against penalties issued by the residence committee.
• Conduct confidential conversations with students after serious transgression.
• Participate in mediation and coaching and liaise with the HOD to resolve disciplinary matters.
• Refer level three contraventions to HOD.

Inherent requirements:

• A bachelor's degree or an advanced diploma/BTech degree/postgraduate certificate on NQF Level 7.
• Minimum two (2) years' experience in a university residence or Student Affairs Environment.

Recommendations:

• A postgraduate qualification on NQF Level 8 will be advantageous.
• Three (3) to five (5) years' experience will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of the student disciplinary process.
• Knowledge of residence management and policies.
• Understanding trends in Higher Education.
• Mentoring and coaching.
• Conflict resolution and mediation.