Senior Assistant Officer at University of the Free State

Description

• INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
• To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                      
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide specialist administrative, coordination and systems support across the three core workstreams of the partnerships portfolio international partnerships, collaborative degrees and mobility programmes. 
• Contribute to the delivery of strategic goals through operational follow-through, providing data analysis and data-bank management.
• Responsible for the establishment, drafting and renewal of agreements and collaborations in line with the UFS strategic priorities and as required by internal stakeholders.
• Research and compile comprehensive briefing notes on international partner universities, informal collaboration with international universities, as well as other Higher Education stakeholders.
• Build databases and maintain accurate records.
• Update internal systems including the Partnership Scorecard, Partnership Matrix, Collaborative Degree Matrix, and RIMS.
• Coordinate visits by partner universities, prospective partner universities and other international visitors/delegations.
• Liaise and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide advice to management, academics, and administrators on the processes of establishing and renewing cooperation agreements.
• Perform procurement and other requests and requisitions using the PeopleSoft Financial System. 
• Support the portfolio and office with monitoring implementation progress on key projects through tools such as PowerBI, RIMS and others.

Inherent requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree or BTech degree on NQF Level 7.
• A minimum of one (1) year's relevant experience in partnership management, including databases, student/staff mobility, and collaborative academic programmes, as well as international agreements, mobility logistics, and academic partnerships. 

Recommendations:

• Two (2) years’ relevant experience in higher education internationalization.
• Honours degree on NQF level 8.
• Knowledge of the Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Higher Education. 

Competencies

• Required competencies: 

Results Orientated:

• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations. 
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• The ability to be cooperative 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.

Assumption of duties:

• 01 February 2026

Closing date:

• 19 November 2025