Job Openings at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

• Design and implement solutions to move critical operations online for efficiency and accessibility. 
• Conduct surveys to measure the effectiveness of implemented changes. 
• Streamline RSVP processes and ensuring seamless online engagement. 
• Project Support: Contribute to ongoing and future IT projects within social support. 
• Digital Solutions Development: Collaborate with the IT team to develop, test, and implement digital tools and platforms aimed at enhancing student services, such as applications for student engagement, feedback mechanisms, or resource portals. 
• Willing to perform any other assigned duties and work closely with other interns. 

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field on NQF Level 7.

The following criteria apply to the selection of candidates:

• Have not participated in any learnership / internship programme.
• Willing to sign a learnership / internship agreement with the UFS.
• Has no formal work experience.

Recommendations

• Basic understanding of computer systems, networks, and software applications.
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to learn new technologies.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Create captivating content (written, visual, and multimedia) for digital platforms, newsletters, and promotional materials.
• Manage and grow social media channels by planning and executing content calendars, engaging with the student community, and analysing performance metrics.
• Collaborate with student groups, faculty, and staff to amplify student-focused initiatives and events.
• Assist in organizing and executing marketing campaigns, workshops, and events aimed at enhancing student experience and involvement.
• Monitor trends in media, marketing, and student engagement to propose and implement fresh ideas and strategies.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Marketing, or Communications, Media Studies, or a related field on NQF Level 7. 

The following criteria apply to the selection of candidates:

• Have not participated in any learnership / internship programme.
• Willing to sign a learnership / internship agreement with the UFS.
• Has no formal work experience.

Recommendations:

• Strong communication skills and a creative mindset with a keen eye for detail. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

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Duties and responsibilities:

Assist patients with activities of daily living (physical care):    

• Maintain hygiene of patient.
• Provide nutrition.
• Assist with mobility.
• Assist with elimination processes.

Provide elementary clinical nursing care:

• Measure, interpret and record vital signs.
• Operate all relevant apparatus and equipment.
• Assist professional nurses with clinical procedures (i.e., administering of oral medication);
• Preparation of patients for diagnostic and surgical procedures.

Effective utilisation of recourses:

• Keep borrowing book.
• Report losses/damages immediately.
• Care and maintain equipment in good working order by monitoring daily/monthly/quarterly.

Terminal care of patients and last offices:

• Maintain dignity and respect of the terminally ill and the dead.
• Support bereaved families. 
• Support co-workers.

Maintain professional growth/ethical standards and self development:

• To maintain the code of conduct as required in the Public Service and by the Professional Body.
• Seek learning opportunities, i.e., in-service training, courses.

Inherent Job requirements:

• Grade 12 or equivalent qualification on NQF Level 4 plus one-year Nursing Assistant Certificate that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council.
• Current registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Nursing Assistant.
• Willingness to enrol for course on Introduction into Palliative care.

Recommendations:

• Experience in the management of patients in the palliative care setting or oncology patients.

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Duties and responsibilities

Change Management

• Ensure involvement in the change process by identifying possible stakeholders, risks and/or effects.
• Analyse changing business circumstances and possible interventions to address, for example, legislative changes, risks, and/or control inefficiencies.
• Challenge the status quo by identifying and developing innovative practices when managing change.
• Provide training and support to personnel when dealing with change.
• Implement strategies, policies, systems, and organisational programmes to promote organisational changes and effectiveness.

Operational Implementation

• Enable and facilitate HR recruitment, rewards, retention, employment equity plans, performance development, career development, and succession planning.
• Provide training and/or advice to employees within the department and campus on policies and systems.
• Update and develop new policies.
• Develop and implement new models within the PeopleSoft financial system.
• Enhance operational controls and change working practices to become more effective.
• Provide priorities and operational goals to line managers.
• Responsible for financial reporting.

People Management

• Provide leadership and management to the department, including Governance, Systems, Salary division, General ledger, Accounts Payable and Expense claims.
• Provide expert advice on financial aspects.
• Responsible for Employee Relations:
• Provide advice and become actively involved in addressing certain disciplinary issues within departments in liaison with the employee relations office where applicable or self when not that severe.
• Transfer coaching, mentoring, and counselling skills to line managers and employees to enable them to become better leaders.
• Enable business unit leaders to enter into mentor relationships, training, and growth opportunities.
• Facilitates conflict management.

Strategic Alignment

• Participate in the Finance Management Meetings and strategic planning sessions to obtain a clear understanding of requirements, risks, and possible mitigation actions (short- and long-term) to give inputs and possible strategies.
• Understand current and emerging business strategies and legislation to participate and contribute towards the development of short-, medium-- and long-term strategies.
• Develop new and align current policies to enhance the governance system for the UFS.

Inherent Job Requirements

• Honours degree on NQF Level 8 in Accounting or related field.
• B Acc or BCom on NQF level 7 in Accounting or related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years relevant working experience in accounting and governance, of which at least three (3) years should be in a managerial capacity.

Recommendations

• Three (3) years of relevant experience in higher education.
• Membership of a Professional Accounting Body.
• Completed articles.

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Duties and responsibilities

• Directing the internal audit function to include the implementation of the annual work plan. Ensuring that an appropriate balance is maintained between audit, investigative and other accountability activities. Reviewing actions taken by the University to improve major programme performance, meet programme standards and ensure performance data is maintained properly.
• Reporting (verbally and in writing) routinely to the Audit, Risk and IT governance committee of the Council on matters that include significant risk exposure, control issues, fraud risks, governance issues and other matters requested by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal and the Audit, Risk and IT governance committee of the Council.
• Notifying the chair of the Audit, Risk and IT governance committee and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, as appropriate, of any unresolved restriction or barrier imposed by any individual on the scope of an inquiry or the failure to provide access to the necessary information or people for the purposes of such inquiry.
• Developing annual audit plans based on periodic risk assessments and overseeing activities to accomplish the audit plan. Reviewing and evaluating internal controls and University rules relating to the programmes and operations to ensure fiscal accountability and compliance with appropriate regulations.
• Initiating, conducting, supervising and coordinating investigations designed to detect, deter, prevent and eradicate fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct and other abuses. Utilising existing internal processes by referring complaints to designated offices for investigation, where appropriate. Advising on the development of performance measures and standards and assessing the reliability and validity of such information.
• Directing the University's follow-up programme of internal audit recommendations. Monitoring the disposition of results communicated to the University management and determining whether corrective actions have been effectively implemented. Communicating to senior management or the Audit, Risk and IT governance committee the risks of not taking corrective actions.
• Developing and maintaining a quality assurance and improvement programme in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards.
• Initiating, conducting, supervising or coordinating investigations that are within the purview of Internal Audit. Reviewing statutory whistle-blower information and coordinating all University activities as required. Managing the Whistle-blowers Hotline of the University.
• Performing related duties as assigned by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal in consultation with the chair of the Audit, Risk and IT governance committee.
• Collaborating with other assurance providers such as external auditors.
• Facilitating the periodic review and approval of the Internal Audit Charter.
• Obtaining an understanding of the key risk areas, etc. from senior management.

Inherent Job Requirements

• Honours degree (NQF Level 8) in Internal Auditing or Accounting or in a finance-related field.
• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) or an active Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation.
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ relevant working experience relating to most of the duties and responsibilities, of which at least three (3) years should be in a managerial capacity.

Recommendations

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Experience in performing and managing special/forensic investigations.
• Knowledge of HighBond, ACL and PeopleSoft.
• Certification in the following would be an added advantage: CFE, FP (SA), CISA.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices, internal audit standards (new Global Internal Audit Standards) and techniques required for performing audits and special investigations.
• Knowledge of auditing procedures, practices, theory and application of internal controls.
• Knowledge of present-day information systems and networks.
• Ability to prepare audit reports.
• Knowledge of continuous audit methodologies.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Use analytical, statistical, and programming skills to collect, analyse and interpret large and/or unstructured data sets.
• Effectively mine and analyse large sets of data to derive actionable insights and value from data (internally and externally sourced).
• Integrate traditional research with data-driven insights.
• Deliver accurate reports on time (Including performing required checks to ensure data accuracy and integrity).
• Gather data and enable a centralized data knowledge management system that integrates sources into one platform.
• Collaborate with Access, Advising and Success and other staff to understand current challenges and needs that should be met with data solutions.
• Design, build and update various platforms, dashboards, and reports.
• Share findings using impactful data visualizations and efficient communication.
• Develop a process to aggregate data and then enable centralization and automated delivery.
• Assess the effectiveness and accuracy of new data sources and data-gathering techniques.
• Develop analysis metrics and new reports to support critical project decisions.
• Provide input on optimal data architecture to support effective data solutions for assigned projects.
• Support work on predictive analytics and data modelling to derive insights about future project decisions that are aimed at improving student performance and success.
• Develop real-time data gathering, analytics and reporting capabilities for assigned CTL focus areas over time.
• Present findings from research in appropriate forums (including conferences and journal publications).
• Assist with conducting online and face-to-face workshops to disseminate research findings.
• Coordinate the quality assurance processes related to the research projects.
• Assist with the development of relevant survey instruments for ECP projects and initiatives.
• Participate in the decision-making processes related to the research project.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma/B.Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF level 7 or a three-year National Diploma on NQF level 6 in computer sciences, mathematics, statistics, data science or a related degree.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant data analytics/analysis/science experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience, preferably working with large datasets and experimentation.
• A Relevant post-graduate qualification.
• SAS/ Python /R /SQL proficiency required.
• Expert Excel user with the ability to understand and build complex spreadsheets.
• Experience in working with data visualization tools and software such as but not limited to Microsoft PowerBI or Tableau.
• Sound experience in data mining, modelling analytics and reporting tools.

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Duties and responsibilities:

Strategy & Planning 

• Research information services. 
• Deliver enhanced and focused Library research support to postgraduate students and researchers (in-depth knowledge of research topics, information searches, information and reference services, selective dissemination of information). 
• Contribute to quality research through embedded Librarianship and support throughout the research cycle by:
• Preparing for research studies (Background reading/looking for ideas/determining if previous studies have already been done on the topic).
• Gathering information (Literature review, search strategies).
• Creating research output (Referencing styles, reference management tools).
• Sharing research output (Publication in accredited journals, steering clear of predatory journals).
• Measuring research output (Journal impact factors, collaboration opportunities, bibliometrics, altmetrics).
• Bridge the communication gap between service beneficiaries and the library (LibGuides, liaison role, attend Faculty/departmental meetings, social media, KovsieFM, etc.). 
• Conduct quality assurance and assessment on teaching and learning services delivered. 

Training 

• Deliver structured library orientation for all postgraduate students and researchers. 
• Develop and offer general content and assessment for the multi-literacy online course (Information, digital and research literacy skills).
• Develop and offer customised content and assessment for specific and focused credit-bearing training interventions, such as research methodology, in collaboration with academics. 
• Equip graduates with attributes for academic success and life-long learning: research literacy. 
• Contribute to staging the annual Library Research Week.

Strategic relations 

• Develop effective strategic relations and stakeholder management internally and externally. 
• Increase the visibility of the UFS LIS in academic programmes of the various Faculties (Develop researcher-librarian collaborations, etc.). 
• Conduct general and focused roadshows to internal stakeholders. 
• Conduct customer satisfaction and information needs surveys to determine users’ perception of the LIS. 
• Participate in campus-wide events (career fairs, open days, public/inaugural/memorial lectures, etc.). 
• Market Library services and resources to support academic excellence (Library open days, e-resources, etc.). 

Collection development and management

• Build a comprehensive collection that meets the needs of the various Faculties.
• Assess the current collection and confirm its status to ensure relevancy, currency and usage, serve in Accreditation Boards, etc. 
• Manage the selection of balanced information resources to meet the teaching and learning information needs of users (Avoid unnecessary duplication). 
• Keep track of the UFS LIS information resources budget and report on under- and/or over-expenditure. 
• Conduct stocktaking of internal stakeholders' collections annually. 
• Create awareness and train stakeholders on the available information resources to improve usage. Conduct shelf readings of allocated shelves daily.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree on NQF level 7 in Library and Information Science or equivalent 
• Or any degree plus a postgraduate diploma on NQF level 8 in Library and Information Science.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant working experience related to the duties and responsibilities.
• 2023 LIASA Membership Certificate.

Recommendations:

• Honours degree /Postgraduate Diploma on NQF level 8.
• Experience within the higher education environment.
• Knowledge of university systems, policies, and procedures.
• Member of a or registration at a professional body.
• Extensive knowledge of research data metrics.
• Knowledge of the NRF ratings.
• Training and facilitation skills.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide academic advising support to registered students in the Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP).
• Develop and deliver contextualised, just-in-time academic advising services for students in collaboration with the CTL and faculty.
• Maintain relationships and communication with Extended Curriculum Programme students in the designated campus and faculty.
• Maintain student communication (i.e., email, telephone and/or appropriate communication channels).
• Connect students to student support stakeholders (on-campus professional staff - academic and support).
• Provide ongoing developmental support and improvement of academic advising interventions for ECP students in the designated faculty as informed by the academic advising cycle.
• Collaborate with Teaching and Learning Coordinator and Central Academic Advisor in executing teaching and learning support for (Extended Curriculum Programme) ECP students.
• Present group advising sessions aligned to the AA cycle where necessary.
• Maintain relationships and communication with the relevant academic advising network stakeholders.
• Manage and coordinate administrative duties related to the role.
• Organise logistical arrangements concerning related student support interventions.
• Track and monitor ECP students’ academic performance.
• Develop in close collaboration with the Senior Academic Advisor and team academic advising evaluation/assessment documents.
• Provide data-driven and timely feedback on trends, impact, and quality of student development initiatives for ECP students.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the customization and expansion of student support using a
• range of data sources.
• Collect evidence (qualitative and quantitative) on academic advising interventions.
• Provide ongoing monitoring and evaluation of assigned interventions.
• Collaborate with researchers in the field.
• Contribute to research output in Academic Advising (institutional and national) through conference participation and/or publication.
• Contribute to the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected from the Academic Advising initiative.
• Participate in research and academic advising practice-related training and development opportunities (e.g. Centre for Graduate Support, Learning and Teaching seminars/webinars).
• Attend professional development sessions as aligned to the Individual Development Plan (IDP).

Inherent Job Requirements:

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree in Administration on NQF level 7. 
• A minimum of two (2) years relevant working experience related to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Honours Degree (preferably in Psychology/Industrial Psychology/Project Management 
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage events/processes effectively and independently.
• Proven administration and computer skills, including but not limited to MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work effectively with others and have good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).