Job Opportunities at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Planning

•     Position the University’s postgraduate and researcher capacity development programmes at a level of both national and international excellence.
•     Develop, refine and implement strategic support programmes for postgraduate students to impact throughput, time to completion, graduation and dropout rates.
•     Develop, implement and evaluate researcher capacity development programmes for staff and emerging researchers strategically.
•     Support faculties in the facilitation of research and research supervision skills development.
•     Provide strategic support to staff to acquire higher degree qualifications and assist with their development as leading researchers.
•     Develop and implement strategies to successfully run the applications, admissions and enrolment processes for postgraduate students at the University of the Free State.
•     Develop and implement strategies to successfully manage the theses submissions processes at the University of the Free State.
•     Develop strategies to assist with the sourcing of external funding for bursaries and scholarships to support postgraduate students.

Policy and Guideline Development

•     Develop and review policies relevant to postgraduate education at the University of the Free State.
•     Develop and review guidelines relevant to postgraduate education at the University of the Free State.
•     Respond to the Department of Higher Education and Training’s policy documents and draft proposals and reports related to postgraduate studies.

General Administration

•     Manage tuition fee funding and applications of postgraduate students effectively at the University of the Free State.
•     Manage the human resource needs of the Centre for Graduate Support effectively.
•     Manage the operational funds for the Centre for Graduate Support effectively. 
•     Manage the research component of the University Capacity Development Grant for the University of the Free State effectively.
•     Apply for and coordinate the Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme posts for the University and effectively manage the associated funds.
•     Monitor, assess and maintain the infrastructure needs of the Centre for Graduate Support effectively.
•     Attend committee meetings on behalf of the Centre for Graduate Support as required.

Inherent Job Requirements

•     Master’s degree or equivalent qualification on NQF Level 9.
•     Minimum of eight (8) years’ relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities, of which at least three (3) years should be in a managerial capacity. 

Recommendations

• ​​​​​​​    A Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10.

Competencies
Key Competencies Required:

•     Results Orientated:
  •     The ability to stick with tasks, not give up, and overcome obstacles in completing one’s task.
  •     The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
•     Strategic thinking
  •    The ability to plan work and to follow plans.
  •    The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
•     Business Acumen:
  •     The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
  •    Proficient in using MS Office. 
•     Leading:
  •     The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
  •     The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude, and encourage people to work together.
•     Building coalitions:
  •     The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
  •     The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration, and working with close supervision.

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Duties and responsibilities

•     Lead and manage the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at academic, research, engaged-scholarship and community-service levels.
•     Manage the budget and the equitable apportioning of resources within the context of academic and strategic planning.
•     Manage all staff-related matters in the faculty, as well as in all institutes and research centres.
•     Ensure a student-centred approach in the faculty and an excellent relationship with the faculty-student council.
•     Liaise with persons and institutions outside the University.
•     Liaise with external stakeholders and build partnerships at provincial, national and international level, for example, with other universities, the business sector, authorities, professional bodies, alumni, parents and other stakeholders.
•     Develop and build a very active internationalisation agenda for the faculty.
•     The Dean is a member of the Senate and reports to the Vice-Rector: Academic and is the chairperson of the faculty board of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Inherent Job Requirements

•    A doctorate (NQF Level 10) in any discipline related to natural and agricultural sciences.
•     A minimum of ten (10) years’ relevant experience in the higher-education sector, of which five (5) years must have been in a senior and strategic leadership position in a natural and agricultural sciences or related environment.
•     Academic work experience at higher-education level, with tangible international research relationships.
•     A proven research record.
•     A proven record of successfully negotiating research contracts with external organisations/funders.
•     Must be appointable as an associate professor/professor at the University of the Free State.

Competencies
Key Competencies Required:

•     Results orientation:
  •     The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
  •    The ability to be reliable, responsible and dependable and to fulfil obligations.
  •     The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
•     Strategic thinking:
  •    The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
  •   The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.
•     Business acumen:
  •   Sound financial and operational management skills.
  •    Quality management of programme delivery.
  •     The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
•     Leadership:
  •    Proven general leadership ability and managerial experience.
  •    Good human relationships and the ability to unite people.
  •     The ability to cooperate with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
•     Building of coalitions:
  •     The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and persuade others.
  •     The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
  •     The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.