Senior Programme Advisor at University of the Witwatersrand

Main Purpose: 

• The University is seeking to appoint a Senior Programme Advisor (SPA) in the CSD within the Division of Student Affairs. Reporting directly to the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, the SPA will oversee the daily operations of DLU. The SPA will provide leadership within the DLU and ensure the effective implementation of training and development initiatives by collaborating with various units within CSD, the DSA, faculties, and a range of domestic and international industry partners. This role aims to offer proactive capacity-building services to all students and contribute to creating an inclusive and dynamic experience for all Wits students.

Brief Description        
Some of the duties entailed in the role of the SPA include:

• Promote academic excellence and creation of a rewarding Wits experience for all students by leading the design of intellectually engaging cocurricular programs and projects that are student-centred and in alignment with institutional culture.
• Work collaboratively with units within CSD, that is, the Student Transition and Persistence Unit (STPU), Student Governance Unit (SGU), and Wits Citizen and Community Outreach (WCOO) in developing enriching out-of-classroom experiences and to contribute to the objective of producing well-rounded graduates who are a global citizen.
• Develop and implement initiatives that foster a vibrant, robust, and dynamic student-life culture through the ongoing provision of enhanced, customized, and targeted student leadership training interventions.
• Initiate, coordinate, and lead the planning of large-scale projects, including the leadership conference and leadership awards, working together with students, clubs and societies, school councils, and units in CSD and DSA at large.
• Lead the design, review, and implementation of the entrepreneurship plans and calendar, and oversee the coordination of all programs and partnerships in the Ehub, working closely with the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and key stakeholders in the broad Wits entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.
• Contribute to developing proposals and agreements with partners that are central to the delivery of student development initiatives undertaken by CSD and DSA.
• Participate in designated committees, including the Gateway to Success (GTS) planning committees, First Year Experience Committee(FYE), Student Service Advisory Committee of Council (SSAC), and submit reports as may be required.
• Exercise financial prudence in line with university policies and ensure the establishment and maintenance of adequate audit-ready systems and controls, including record-keeping, for both DLU and the Ehub.
• Implement a coherent monitoring and evaluation framework to track and report on students' participation and involvement across all programs.
• Supervise and coach staff and advance staff development through ongoing performance appraisals and the identification of training opportunities.

Essential requirements:

The University seeks to attract applications from individuals who meet the following requirements: 

• A Bachelor’s degree(Postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage)
• A minimum of five (5) years’ relevant experience in student affairs and/or student development.
• Demonstrated management skills, including strategic management, people management, financial and project management, communication, and reporting writing. 
• Experience in facilitation, training, development, and program design.
• Excellent social skills and understanding of issues affecting the youth.
• Knowledge of the higher education sector, specifically in the role of student leadership in institutions of higher learning, and experience in developing capacity and leadership development initiatives. 
• Emotional intelligence and resilience.