Specialist: Rewards & Benefits (1-year Contract) at University of Western Cape

• The Human Resources Department invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced individuals for the position of Specialist: Rewards and Benefits.
• The successful incumbent will report to the Director: Rewards, Benefits and Payroll and will play a key role in supporting the design, implementation, administration and continuous improvement of the University's reward, remuneration and employee benefits frameworks.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Rewards and Remuneration Management:

• Supporting the development, implementation and review of remuneration, reward and benefits strategies, policies and frameworks.
• Conducting remuneration benchmarking, market analyses and salary surveys to ensure external competitiveness and internal equity.
• Supporting annual remuneration reviews, salary adjustments, once-off payments and related reward initiatives.
• Conducting remuneration costing, modelling and impact assessments to support institutional decision-making.
• Providing specialist remuneration advice and recommendations to management, HR stakeholders and governance structures.
• Monitoring remuneration trends, legislative developments and best practices.

Benefits Management:

• Managing and administering employee benefit programmes, including retirement funds, medical aid, risk benefits and other employee benefit offerings.
• Liaising with benefit providers, brokers, consultants and administrators to ensure effective service delivery and compliance.
• Supporting employee communication, education and awareness initiatives relating to employee benefits.
• Investigating and resolving complex benefits-related enquiries and matters.

Policy, Governance and Compliance:

• Drafting, reviewing and maintaining remuneration and benefits policies, procedures, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, governance requirements, collective agreements and institutional policies.
• Supporting audit processes and implementing corrective actions where required.
• Identifying remuneration and benefits risks and recommending mitigation measures.

Analytics, Reporting and Research:

• Developing and maintaining remuneration and benefits dashboards, reports and workforce analytics.
• Conducting research and preparing reports, submissions and recommendations for management and governance committees.
• Analysing workforce, remuneration and benefits data to support strategic decision-making.
• Participating in institutional and sector benchmarking initiatives and surveys.

Projects and Continuous Improvement:

• Participating in HR transformation, digitisation and systems enhancement projects.
• Supporting the implementation and optimisation of HR, payroll and benefits systems.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement and service excellence within the Rewards and Benefits function.

Key Competencies:

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Strong financial and numerical acumen;
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills;
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills;
• Sound project management and organisational skills;
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality;
• Ability to interpret legislation, policies and complex remuneration information;
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Minimum Requirements

We invite suitably qualified candidates who meet the below criteria:

• A relevant Bachelor's Degree/Advanced Diploma in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Business Management or a related field;
• A minimum of five (5) years' relevant experience in remuneration, rewards, benefits, compensation management or a related specialist HR environment;
• Demonstrated experience in remuneration benchmarking, salary surveys, benefits administration and remuneration analysis;
• Sound knowledge of South African labour legislation, tax legislation, employee benefits, retirement fund governance and remuneration practices; and
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and HR information systems.

Added Advantage:

• A Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field.
• Experience within the Higher Education sector.

Deadline:4th September,2026