Careers at University of the Witwatersrand

Purpose:

• The Technical Supervisor will be responsible for providing and managing an integrated property and facilities management support service in order to ensure a fit for purpose environment with the minimum of downtime, relating to supporting and facilitating the University’s academic, teaching, research, sport and residential program in so far as it is practical and reasonable relating to resources provided. He / she will be guided by university policies and procedures and will operate within these boundaries as directed by the Campus Facilities Manager.

Brief Description        
Key responsibilities include the following:

• Implement and ensure that the maintenance strategies developed by the university to effectively address all areas of the maintenance portfolio. This will include the Planned Maintenance (PM’s), Corrective Maintenance (CM’s) as well as the Reactive Maintenance (RM’s) (breakdown and repairs)
• Prioritises and ensure that the maintenance work instructions issued by the Call Centre on behalf of the University is executed in time and to the University standards.
• Ensure that all work that is carried out by his / her section falls within the annual operational maintenance schedules
• Implement annual capital infrastructure equipment asset management plans relating to the proper servicing and maintenance of capital infrastructure equipment to ensure maximum life cycle and optimum operational costs.
• Oversee and ensure that the work is carried out by contractors working on the project, by implementing working specifications, procedures and instructions within time schedules and deliverables to meet with scope of work and targets set
• Make sure Service Level Agreements are met by all contractors working in his / her area of responsibility by inspecting work quality and progress and also ensure that all statuary requirements and University rules and regulations are complied with.
• The Technical Supervisor  must ensure that he / she liaises at all times with the Campus Facilities Manager relating to the execution of construction, maintenance and / or other work for which he / she is has been assigned to, in order to ensure that the Campus Facilities Manager (CFM) and the customer remains informed of progress, delays and / or potential negative impacts on the University’s teaching, research, sport and residential programs.
• Check and ensure that the financial documentation submitted by contractors complies with the guidelines as well as the rules and regulations of the University.
• The Technical Supervisor  will from time to time attend the customer forum for his / her assigned area of responsibility, in order to foster effective communication between OFMD and its customers. Ensure that the conditions of contract are met and executed by contractors, service providers and consultants appointed to undertake any work under his / her control within his / her assigned area of responsibility, and ensure that detailed and accurate records are kept in line with audit and financial management requirements.
• In support to the Campus Facilities Manager (CFM) and in liaison with the appointed Responsible Engineer, the Technical Supervisor will ensure that all mandatory installations such as the lifts, hoists and pressure vessels are operated safely in compliance with the relevant legislation, including but not limited to, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Machinery Act and relevant local authority bylaws, and to ensure that accurate and detailed records are kept, as prescribed by legislation.
• The Technical Supervisor will, in so far as it is practical and reasonable, ensure that the area assigned to him / or her  provides a safe and fit for purpose environment for use by the University community, inclusive of staff, students and visitors in pursuit of the University’s strategic objectives.
• Help and assist the appointed Occupational Health and Safety Officer for his / her area of responsibility to review the received Faculty, School and Departmental monthly safety reports and risk registers and in time attend to the remedial infrastructure maintenance related matters, to ensure risk mitigation.
• In support to the Campus Facilities Manager (CFM) and in collaboration with the appointed Utilities and Energy Manager, Responsible Engineer, GMR appointee, he/she must ensure maximum business continuity through the planned ongoing maintenance of installed generator capacity within his / her assigned area of responsibility.
• The Technical Supervisor must manage his / her office in such a manner as to always render an effective and efficient customer focused service.
• Technical Supervisor must ensure that accurate and detailed records are kept of all warrantees, guarantees, commissioning certificates, certificates of compliance, and as built drawings etc. Assists Facilities Manager with negotiations and liaison with clients prior to commencement of work and during the maintenance being carried out if this is deemed necessary. He /she have to keep Campus Facilities Manager (CFM) informed of any changes or delays in scheduled maintenance work.

Requirements:

• Matric
• Diploma in Facilities Management
• Training in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. A diploma may be considered advantageous.

Required years of related experience:

• Eight (8) years of which four (4) would have been in a management capacity.

Competencies (Knowledge, skills and behavior)

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Time management.
• Financial management, budgeting and procurement experience.
• Contract management.
• Strong leadership qualities, ability to motivate and manage a team.
• Conflict management.

Compliance/Statutory Requirements (Knowledge, Understanding and or training)

• Working knowledge of electrical, heating and ventilation, air conditioning systems, 
• Strong project management experience, experience in infrastructure risk management 
• Understanding of Occupational Health and Safety.
• The incumbent must have a clear understanding of construction processes and procedures and the management thereof.  

Deadline:4th September,2026

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• An Operations retail officer to assist the Operations Manager by taking delegated responsibility for the operational requirements of, and relationship between the University and its service providers and retail operators in various areas.

Brief Description        
Key Responsibilities:

Finance:

• Checking of invoices submitted for final sign off by Operations manager; and
• Source quotations as per requests

Customers:

• Liaison with Retail tenants regarding maintenance requirements and compliance with OHS&E and Food Safety;
• Liaison with relevant departments within the University with regards to functions and events catering on campus; and
• Escalation of unresolved complaints to management

Business Processes:

Compliance

• Assist with ensuring Retail Outlets comply with Food Safety & Health and Safety requirements;
• Internal Health & Safety Inspections as per the University’s schedule; and
• Assisting in the compilations of internal SOP’s Policies, procedures and guidelines within the Retail Operations environment and assist with the implementation of such.

Contract Management

• Ensure that outlets are lettable (customization);
• Reporting and follow ups of structural defects; and 
• Asset Verifications.

Retailers Outlook

• Ensure that the display is of acceptable standard and as per the University’s guidelines;
• Maintenance reporting and follow up;
• Liaison with retail operators with regards to maintenance requirements; and 
• Liaison and follow up relevant departments with regards to maintenance and compliance requests and requirements.

AD-HOC DUTIES:

• Assist with any administrative duties as per instructions/based on operational needs
• Bookings of ad hoc services needed by the retailers
• Keeping abreast with Industry Trends and Best Practice
• Responsible for assembling documentation, maintaining of statistical data, market research and benchmarking of the various areas of responsibility and the dissemination of such information

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Communication Skills
• Customer Focus
• Relationship Building
• Result Orientation
• Initiative
• Problem Solving Skills
• Conflict Management Skills 

Technical Competencies

• MS Office
• Basic Financial Skills
• Knowledge of Food Safety and Health & Safety
• Facilities maintenance background / understanding 

Compliance/Statutory Requirements (Knowledge, Understanding and/or Training)

• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
• R638
• SANS10049
• Any other relevant Legislation

Qualifications and Skills:

• Grade 12
• Hospitality Industry relevant qualification – NQF 6

Required Years of Work-Related Experience:

• 3-5 years operational Experience (Retail, Kitchen & Service Operation)
• Maintenance reporting in facilities management environment

Licenses:

• Valid Driver’s License

Work Conditions:

• Full-time position, Monday to Friday in office.

Deadline:7th September,2026

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• The School of Mechanical, Industrial & Aeronautical Engineering invites applications for appointment at the level of Lecturer in Mechatronics Engineering, on a 100% full-time basis.
• The appointment will strengthen teaching, supervision, research, and curriculum development in Mechatronics Engineering, with a particular focus on second- and third-year undergraduate teaching. The successful candidate will contribute to core areas, including integrated mechatronic system design, mechanical systems, electronics, sensors, actuators, control, embedded systems, automation, and robotics.

Brief Description        
Duties:

• The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, research, supervision, industry engagement, and academic service, aligned with the appointment percentage.
• For a 100% full-time appointment, duties include undergraduate teaching, particularly in second- and third-year Mechatronics Engineering; laboratory and project-based learning; undergraduate and postgraduate supervision; research outputs; innovation outputs; participation in funded or applied engineering projects; curriculum development; industry and professional engagement; academic administration; and academic life of the School.

Requirements:

• At the Lecturer level, an MSc Eng / MSc in Mechatronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Robotics, Automation, or a closely related field is essential. The successful candidate should be research-active within a mechatronics-related field.. Evidence of research activity, industry collaboration, funding, design project supervision, and second- and third-year Mechatronics Engineering teaching experience will be advantageous. Eligibility for registration as a Professional Engineer in South Africa is required

Deadline:4th September,2026

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• The Faculty of Humanities invites applications for the full-time post of Senior Lecturer in the Curatorial, Public and Visual Cultures (CPVC) department at the Wits School of Arts. The department offers three postgraduate degrees in History of Art, Heritage Studies, and Contemporary Curatorial Practice, and teaches the compulsory History of Art coursework in the Fine Arts undergraduate degree at second-year and third-year levels. The successful candidate will join a passionate team of academics, artists and curators in the department, as well as colleagues from the Wits School of Arts engaging in interdisciplinary projects across the school.
• We invite academics and practitioners working in the field of art histories and related disciplines, with innovative and critical academic and creative research, teaching and supervision experience to apply. Diversity is central to the dynamic constitution of the department and key to achieving excellence within the faculty, staff and student body of the University of the Witwatersrand. We encourage South Africans from designated groups to apply (see link to policy below).

Criteria:

Qualifications:

• For appointment at the Senior Lecturer level, a PhD in Art History or related fields and a recognised teaching, supervision and research profile are required.

Experience:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and curriculum development, within one or more of the department’s core fields of art historical, curatorial and/or heritage studies. This could include subjects such as historical and contemporary genres; colonial, decolonial and post-colonial studies; South African and African contexts and networks; interdisciplinary methods and methodologies; and, multidisciplinary and multimodal approaches.
• Proven experience of supervision of successfully graduated Honours and Master’s students, and experience of PhD level supervision.
• Proven track record of conventional and creative research outcomes in art histories and/or allied fields in the humanities, preferably in the arts.

Skills and Attributes:

• Experience with project management would be beneficial
• An interest in transformative pedagogies, decolonial curriculum development, and transformation within the humanities.

Responsibilities:

• Developing, teaching and coordinating courses in the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
• Supervising postgraduate students at Honours, Master’s and PhD level
• Contributing to the development and management of departmental research, publication and creative partnership projects
• Contributing to the work of the department and the Wits School of Arts as a whole, such as actively engaging in committee work
• Contributing to fundraising strategies and applications for the department

Deadline:4th September,2026

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• The University of the Witwatersrand  invites applications from suitably qualified, dynamic and visionary academic leaders for appointment as Head of the Department of Nursing Education within the Faculty of Health Sciences.
• The successful candidate will be an accomplished academic and strategic leader with an established record of excellence in teaching, research and academic leadership. The appointee will provide strategic direction to the Department, advance nursing education, research and innovation, develop the next generation of nursing practitioners, educators and researchers, and build collaborative relationships with the Gauteng Department of Health and other key stakeholders to advance the department's academic and professional mission.

Minimum Requirements

• A PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification in Nursing or a related discipline.
• An established record of scholarship, including research publications and postgraduate supervision, appropriate for appointment to the professoriate at the level of Adjunct Professor, Associate Professor or Professor.(Promotion Criteria.pdf)
• A proven track record of teaching, research and academic leadership within a higher education environment.
• Be at least at the level of Adjunct or Associate Professor or qualify to be awarded the academic title within a three (3) year period.

Professional Registration

• Current registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse and Nurse Educator
• Registered as a constituent Assessor and Moderator with the SANC and/or a recognised Quality Council
• A recognised Nursing Management qualification registered with the SANC, or an equivalent management qualification acceptable under the applicable SANC requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• At least five (5) years' experience in a senior leadership or management position, with experience in leading academic programmes, nursing education or research programmes, preferably within a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated leadership in strategic planning, governance, financial and human resource management.
• Experience in undergraduate and postgraduate nursing education.
• Knowledge of curriculum development, online and concept-based curricula, and educational innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate digital technologies into teaching, learning and research.
• Sound knowledge of the Higher Education Act, the South African Nursing Act, the SANC regulatory framework, the Council on Higher Education (CHE), the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and other relevant legislative and accreditation requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Management

•  Provide strategic leadership and effective management of the Department in alignment with the University's strategic priorities.
• Lead and develop academic and professional staff while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, transformation and innovation.
• Ensure sound governance, financial stewardship, resource management and compliance with University policies and relevant legislation.

Teaching, Learning and Academic Excellence 

• Lead the development, implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement of undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes.
• Promote excellence in teaching, learning and student success.
• Ensure programme quality, accreditation and regulatory compliance.

Research, Scholarship and Innovation

• Grow the Department's research profile and scholarly output.
• Foster interdisciplinary research, innovation and postgraduate supervision.
• Create an enabling environment for nursing research, education and professional practice.

Strategic Partnerships and Academic Citizenship

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with the Gauteng Department of Health, clinical training platforms, professional councils, regulatory bodies, healthcare institutions and national and international academic partners.
• Promote the Department's reputation through collaboration, academic leadership, professional engagement and community service.

Deadline:18th September,2026

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Job Summary:

• The School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences is looking for an exceptional candidate in animal biology with expertise in any area of zoology. We seek a researcher who will complement and collaborate with our existing diverse team, which includes specialists in physiology, anatomy, evolutionary biology, animal behaviour, and behavioural ecology working across a range of taxa including mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles.

Brief Description        
Minimum qualification/requirement:

• PhD in Zoology or a closely related field
• At least two years postdoctoral experience or equivalent, and a good publication record in international and regional peer-reviewed journals
• An established independent research trajectory
• Excellent oral and written skills in English
• Quantitative skills and the ability to work with statistical languages like R
• Valid driver's licence (at least code B)

Additional advantage:

• Experience in teaching undergraduate courses, including large classes
• Experience of postgraduate student supervision, appropriate for the level of the post
• Track record of attracting independent research grant funding
• Research experience with African fauna and/or in African contexts

Personal attributes:

The ideal candidate should have the following:

• Collegiality and the ability to work with other members of staff
• Ability to work in a collaborative research environment
• Enthusiasm and passion for teaching, student supervision and research
• Commitment to contributing to the transformation of South African higher education

Field of research:

• Zoologist with expertise in any area of animal biology focusing on free-living animals. The candidate should possess strong practical and experimental skills, be familiar with laboratory-based or field-based experimental approaches, and demonstrate the ability to develop an innovative, independent research programme. We seek researchers whose work will complement and integrate with our existing strengths which span across herpetology, ornithology, animal behaviour and behavioural ecology, animal ecophysiology, insect ecology, behavioural endocrinology, functional morphology, aquatic ecology, mammal ecology and population dynamics, and evolutionary biology. Areas of particular interest include integrative organismal biology that links form and function to performance, ecological mechanisms in natural populations and evolutionary processes.
• We particularly encourage applications from researchers working with African fauna and addressing questions relevant to conservation and global change biology in African contexts.

Key Performance Areas:

The candidate is required to:

• Teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as engage in curriculum development and course coordination
• Organise practical sessions and fieldtrips where applicable
• Develop an independent research programme
• Provide appropriate training and supervision of postgraduate students
• Contribute to the running of the School
• Attract independent research funding

Deadline:11th September,2026

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Main Purpose:

• The Solution Architect is responsible for designing endtoend technology solutions that meet business needs while aligning with the University's Enterprise Architecture principles, technology standards, security requirements, and strategic objectives.
• The successful candidate will work closely with business stakeholders, project teams, solution providers and technical specialists to ensure that solutions are scalable, secure, integrated, and fit for purpose throughout their lifecycle. This aligns with the original role objective of designing solution architectures and governing implementation across business and technology domains.

Brief Description        
Key Responsibilities:

• Solution Architecture:
• Design endtoend solution architectures for ICT projects.
• Produce highquality architecture deliverables including:
• Solution Architecture Documents
• Integration Architecture
• Infrastructure Architecture
• Security Architecture
• Application Landscape Models
• Data Flow Diagrams
• Ensure solutions align with Enterprise Architecture standards and principles.

Architecture Governance:

• Present solution designs to the Enterprise Architecture Review Group (EARG).
• Ensure projects comply with ICT governance processes.
• Review technical designs and recommend improvements.
• Identify architecture risks and mitigation strategies.
• Support technology standards and reference architectures.

Business Engagement:

• Work with business stakeholders to understand business capabilities and requirements.
• Translate business requirements into technology solutions.
• Facilitate architecture workshops.
• Provide architecture guidance throughout the project lifecycle.

Integration & Data Architecture:

• Design secure system integrations. 
• Promote APIfirst integration patterns. 
• Ensure data governance principles are followed. 
• Support identity management, SSO and API security.

Technology Leadership:

• Evaluate emerging technologies. 
• Provide recommendations on cloud adoption, AI, integration platforms and enterprise applications. 
• Promote reuse of enterprise capabilities and shared services. 
• Reduce technology duplication.

Security & Risk:

• Ensure solutions comply with:
• Cybersecurity standards
• Privacy legislation (POPIA)
• ICT Security Policies
• Disaster Recovery requirements
• Identify architecture risks before implementation.

Project Support:

• Participate throughout project delivery.
• Support procurement evaluations.
• Review vendor proposals.
• Assist project teams during implementation.
• Verify solution implementation against approved architecture.

Requirements: 

• Relevant degree (e.g. BCOM IT or BSc Comp Science) 
• Minimum 3 yrs’ experience in Solution Architecture, 5 yrs or more preferred
• Knowledge of Architecture Methodologies, Standards, Practices, Governance, Reference PatternsStrong Business/Industry knowledge and familiar with Industry IT Solutions
• One or more of the following is desirable:
• TOGAF Certified
• Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect
• AWS Solutions Architect
• Google Cloud Professional Architect
• ITIL
• COBIT
• ArchiMate
• Security certifications

Deadline:11th September,2026

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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.