Senior Officer (Post Level 9): Division Financial Aid (Job ID 6467) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities

Student Bursaries

• Manage the bursary process for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and university bursaries. 
• Assist in improving information and other documentation regularly. 
• Adjust and disburse bursary amounts after registration. 
• Manage private accommodation. 
• Receive, process and submit refund requests. 
• Assist in removing blocks where necessary. 
• Manage and organise transport process within Financial Aid. 
• Manage NSFAS appeal process. 

Financial Management 

• Do reconciliations of bursary funds, payments, etc. 
• Allocate and cancel bursaries. 
• Prepare and submit financial reports and related statistics. 

People Management 

• Supervise and train personnel. 
• Discuss, prepare and submit the performance management, work environment and improvement plan of personnel.
• Resolve grievances and invoke disciplinary processes according to procedure. 

Client Support

• Handle enquiries from staff, top management, public, students, parents, guardians and external sponsors.
• Resolve problem cases. 
• Maintain positive stakeholder relations in the office. 

General Office Administration 

• Assist with internal and external audits. 
• Participate in interviews for permanent and temporary staff. 
• Risk management via reconciliations and controlling for correctness. 
• Suggest and prepare changes to be made on the system to improve processes. 
• Attend regular meetings and give feedback to staff. 
• Attend NSFAS workshops and give feedback to management and staff. 
• Assist and give input regarding system-related matters. 
• Prepare and send bulk SMSs and email communication. 

Inherent Job Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma/B.Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF Level 7  in Finance/Accounting. 
• A minimum of two (2) years’ relevant financial experience. 

Recommendations

• Experience within the Higher Education environment, especially in Finance/Financial Aid. 
• Professional membership to an accountancy body (attach proof).
• Knowledge of university systems, policies and procedures.