Vice-Principal: Student Life at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities of the Vice-Principal: Student Life, amongst others is to:

Strategic Leadership 

• Lead the development and implementation of the University’s student life strategy in alignment with its mission and vision.
• Lead and oversee the strategic and operational management of all assigned portfolios.
• Oversee the operational and strategic management of the portfolios responsible for.
• Collaborate with other members of the Executive team to ensure the integration of student life initiatives with academic and research priorities.

Strategic Oversight of Student Affairs and Student Services and Tuks FM 

• Provide strategic oversight of the Department of Student Affairs, ensuring the delivery of student-focused, accessible, and responsive services that support academic and personal success.
• Ensure the provision of comprehensive support services, including mental health counselling, health and wellness programmes, disability support, academic skills development, career services, and social work interventions.
• Promote a developmental and preventative approach to student wellness and psychosocial care by overseeing the implementation of evidence-based interventions and awareness campaigns.
• Promote and monitor student participation in co-curricular activities, civic engagement projects, and social justice initiatives to build leadership, accountability, and a sense of social responsibility.
• Lead the development of student affairs policies, procedures, and frameworks, ensuring they align with institutional transformation objectives, legal compliance, and sectoral best practices.

Strategic Leadership of the Residence Affairs and Accommodation 

• Oversee the management and development of student residences, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and supportive living environment.
• Develop policies and programmes to enhance the residential experience and foster a sense of community among residents.
• Coordinate with relevant departments to address accommodation challenges and improve service delivery.
• Oversee residence infrastructure, allocations, living and learning programmes, and compliance with safety and transformation policies.
• Promote affordability and equitable access to on-campus accommodation for financially vulnerable and first-generation students.

Strategic Leadership of the Student Governance 

• Provide strategic and executive oversight of Student Governance structures, including the Student Representative Council (SRC), Faculty Houses, Societies, and other recognised student organisations.
• Ensure effective functioning of governance structures, including compliance with institutional policies, codes of conduct, and the relevant student constitutions and frameworks.
• Support and guide the Student Representative Council (SRC) and other student governance structures in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities.
• Facilitate leadership development opportunities for students, including training programmes, workshops, and mentorship initiatives.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and integrity of student elections and governance processes, ensuring they are fair, transparent, and well-managed.

Strategic Oversight of Student Development Programmes 

• Promote inclusive campus environments that reflect the University's commitment to diversity and transformation.
• Lead the design, implementation, and assessment of student development programmes that promote holistic growth across intellectual, emotional, social, cultural, spiritual, and physical dimensions.
• Oversee and expand co-curricular initiatives such as leadership academies, community engagement, peer mentorship, volunteerism, and career-readiness programmes aligned with UP’s Graduate Attributes.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with internal academic departments, external agencies, and non-profit organisations to enrich the student development portfolio.

Communication and Advocacy 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive student life communication strategy in collaboration with the Department of Institutional Advancement and the Department of Student Affairs.
• Promote the University’s commitment to a holistic student experience through strategic messaging, official communications, and public engagements.
• Communicate effectively with students, staff, and other stakeholders to promote awareness and understanding of student life initiatives.
• Lead advocacy efforts within executive structures to secure resources, facilities, and policy support for student development, residence life, wellness, sport, and co-curricular initiatives.
• Represent the University at national and international forums related to student affairs, higher education policy, and youth development.

Policy Development, Risk Management and Compliance 

• Develop and implement policies and procedures related to student life, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and compliance with relevant regulations.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of student life programmes and services, making recommendations for improvements as needed.

Tuks Sport Oversight 

• Provide strategic direction for TuksSportto sustain its standing as a premier university-based sports institute in Africa.
• Ensure integration of high-performance sport, mass participation, and student-athlete academic support with the University’s strategic objectives.
• Oversee the governance and performance of all sporting codes, including competitive and recreational sport.
• Exercise executive oversight of sport-related commercial and non-profit entities affiliated with TuksSport, including professional teams, clubs, academies, and institutes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• A relevant doctoral degree.
• A total of ten (10) years of relevant experience, of which at least five (5) years must have been at an executive or senior management level in a higher education environment.

At least five years of proven executive or senior management experience in:

• leadership in higher education, particularly in student affairs or student services, or student life support portfolios, including strategic management of student governance, accommodation, wellness, engagement and development.
• strategic planning, program development, and policy implementation.
• governance of university-affiliated entities, including sporting companies and student organisations.
• providing oversight of large-scale student support services, including mental health, wellness, residences, and staff and student leadership development.
• A proven track record in student policy development and implementation at a strategic level.
• An established scholar with both national and international standing.
• The candidate should qualify for appointment as a full professor at the University of Pretoria.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES

At least five (5) years’

• Experience in executive leadership.
• Experience in sports leadership and/or student media is desirable.
• A management qualification.