Jobs at University of the Free State

Description

• KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

• To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                      
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical support for hardware and software by performing troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and resolution of requests/incidents.
• Provide efficient and effective customer service to the user.
• Provide after-hours audio-visual technical support, as needed.
• Install audiovisual technologies.
• Deploy and install software, inclusive of system software, productivity software and applicable driver software.
• Relocate audiovisual equipment as per operational requirements. 
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware or software-related incidents.
• Research, test and evaluate new technologies on request.
• Provide technical onsite support during special events on and off campus.
• Perform incident and service request classification and prioritization.
• Prioritise request, incidents and problems to ensure high service levels.
• Provide audiovisual and streaming support for events and activities throughout the campus.
• Perform preventative maintenance on audiovisual equipment and venue workstations.
• Relationship Support
• Ensure client satisfaction by adhering to Service Level agreements (SLAs).
• Ensure clear and effective communication to manage relationships and needs/ requirements.
• Establish and maintain healthy and professional relationships with function-related stakeholders.
• Liaise with the Lead: ICTS Audio Visual Deployment and Maintenance Management to escalate any issues to receive the required attention.
• Quality Assurance
• Adhere to, and contribute to all relevant policies and procedures, standards and guidelines.
• Contribute and support the review and drafting of the relevant SOPs, as required.
• Professional Development
• Fulfil all responsibilities regarding performance management.
• Remain competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/ or courses.
• Inherent requirements:
• Grade 12 or a national vocational certificate on NQF level 4.
• Minimum of one (1) year’s experience in hardware and software technical support.
• Valid driver's licence (attach a copy).

Recommendations:

• Professional certification in one or more of the following (attach proof):
• Comptia A+ 
• Comptia N+
• Crestron certification
• Molex Certification
• Dante AV networking
• Kramer AV certified

Competencies

Required competencies: 

• Results Orientated:
• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
• 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 carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• 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. 

Assumption of duties:

• 01 January 2026 as soon as possible.

Closing date:

• 20 November 2025

go to method of application »

Description

• INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
• To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                      
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide specialist administrative, coordination and systems support across the three core workstreams of the partnerships portfolio international partnerships, collaborative degrees and mobility programmes. 
• Contribute to the delivery of strategic goals through operational follow-through, providing data analysis and data-bank management.
• Responsible for the establishment, drafting and renewal of agreements and collaborations in line with the UFS strategic priorities and as required by internal stakeholders.
• Research and compile comprehensive briefing notes on international partner universities, informal collaboration with international universities, as well as other Higher Education stakeholders.
• Build databases and maintain accurate records.
• Update internal systems including the Partnership Scorecard, Partnership Matrix, Collaborative Degree Matrix, and RIMS.
• Coordinate visits by partner universities, prospective partner universities and other international visitors/delegations.
• Liaise and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide advice to management, academics, and administrators on the processes of establishing and renewing cooperation agreements.
• Perform procurement and other requests and requisitions using the PeopleSoft Financial System. 
• Support the portfolio and office with monitoring implementation progress on key projects through tools such as PowerBI, RIMS and others.

Inherent requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree or BTech degree on NQF Level 7.
• A minimum of one (1) year's relevant experience in partnership management, including databases, student/staff mobility, and collaborative academic programmes, as well as international agreements, mobility logistics, and academic partnerships. 

Recommendations:

• Two (2) years’ relevant experience in higher education internationalization.
• Honours degree on NQF level 8.
• Knowledge of the Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Higher Education. 

Competencies

• Required competencies: 

Results Orientated:

• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations. 
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• 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.

Assumption of duties:

• 01 February 2026

Closing date:

• 19 November 2025

go to method of application »

Description

• KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

• To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                      
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinate the provision of international student services at the University of the Free State (UFS).
• Provide primary information, support, and assistance to international students and staff on matters specific to their status, to ensure compliance with immigration legislation.
• Support the Director: Office for International Affairs in financial administration and contribute to the effective management of internationalisation processes at UFS.
• Contribute to the delivery of strategic goals through administrative and compliance due diligence.
• Act as a liaison with the Department of Home Affairs and relevant South African embassies abroad.
• Act as a liaison with relevant non-governmental stakeholders, including visa application centres and approved medical aid providers.
• Manage registration processes for international students and facilitate medical aid compliance for international students.
• Responsible for immigration compliance of all international students.
• Responsible for specialised support to refugee students.
• Support financial management processes.
• Coach and mentor staff.
• Responsible for the update of the International Student Guide annually.
• Manage logistics for exchange programmes.
• Advising UFS staff on visa processes.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or a BTech degree on NQF Level 7.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ relevant working experience relating to immigration compliance.
• Demonstrable knowledge of international student administrative processes,  immigration laws, including visa types, and the regulations related to them.

Recommendations:

• Three (3) years’ relevant experience in international student administration, office financial management.
• Honours degree on NQF level eight (8) in the field of Project management, Law.
• Knowledge of the SA Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Higher Education and project management.
• Expert knowledge of South African immigration laws, visa types.
• Expert knowledge on requirements related to international student registration and compliance.
• Full scope of UFS financial processes at the end-user side.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft Campus solutions
• Valid Driver’s licence.

go to method of application »

Duties and responsibilities:

• Operate power equipment such as a jigsaw, belt sander, grinder, bandsaw. etc.
• Use hand tools like screwdrivers, hammers, axes, saws.
• Assist with cutting paper and canvas.
• Order of tools and equipment if needed.
• Assist with moulding and casting.
• Fix, build, restore and maintain any artspecific furniture or equipment such as exhibition boards, plinths and easels.
• Make frames and gallery stands as needed.
• Make stretchframes.
• Prepare studios for studio activities and classes.
• Give technical assistance in studios on campus, helping students with power tools and technical components of projects as requested by an academic staff member.
• Dismantling large and smallscale installations and other artworks.
• Assist with or move equipment in the department, to and from galleries and venues on and off campus.
• Assist with research projects of staff members on and off campus.
• Courier documents to and from the department and other venues on campus.
• Arrange and move equipment and studio furniture for classes.
• Take student attendance when necessary.
• Move objects and furniture around the department.
• Assist lecturers with their studio research, which could include all technical aspects of creative research projects
• Arrange studios to accommodate creative research.
• Stocktake, organise and clean sculpture storeroom.
• Recycle clay with the correct equipment and training.
• Move light works for lecturers or students’ exhibitions only if the assistance required relates to the academic staff members ‘teaching and learning’, ‘creative research’ and ‘community engagement’ responsibilities.
• Move light artworks from the Johannes Stegmann Arts gallery to the Department or around the campus.
• Assist if needed when heavy furniture or equipment is moved by facilities.
• Orchestrate the signingoff of sculpture studio keys, including the storeroom keys when necessary and for specified periods of time.
• Assist students in signing out tools from the storeroom.
• Prepare studios for projects which include cleaning, moving tables, boxes, putting plastic on tables, putting newsprint on the windows, packing out materials and washing equipment.
• Assist with student projects (for example, cutting cloths for printmaking, carrying heavy bundles of paper for drawing).
• Ensure the restocking of rags for use in the printmaking studio.
• Maintain upkeep of all studios and outside sculpture studio.
• Maintain the upkeep of fine arts walkways, studios, furniture and equipment.
• Clean the printmaking studio, which is a specialised studio requiring the use of solvents.
• Remove the trash from bins, for example, in the printmaking studio, which includes the oily rag bin for health and safety purposes.
• Keep furniture and equipment safe, especially by moving it indoors or undercover so that the rain and elements do not cause damage.
• Work in a team with UFS cleaners.
• Arrive and leave timeously according to work hours.
• Gather and remove litter in studios and outside studios and walkways.
• Clean studios, equipment and the department using hand tools, cleaning tools and machines. This includes disciplinespecific studios, for example printmaking, dark room and acid room.
• Clean the department or offcampus in public areas, studios or exhibition spaces if cleaning work relates to the academic staff members ‘teaching and learning’, ‘creative research’ and ‘scholarly engagement’ responsibilities. Offcampus cleaning require clearance by the Head of Department.
• Maintain and care for the Fine Arts departments trees and shrubs in the atrium and department of fine arts garden by watering plants and trees using hose or watering can.
• Assist with removal of sculptural and painterly trash discarded inside and outside studios.
• Clean painting palettes.
• Clean staff studios when necessary and remove trash.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• ​​​​Grade 12 or national vocational certificate on NQF Level 4.
• One (1) year’s relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.
• Experience in working with power tools, welding, woodwork (carpentry), and clay work.

Recommendations:

• Relevant experience as a technical assistant in the fine arts.
• A BA Fine Arts degree will be an advantage.

Assumption of duties:

• 1 February 2026

Closing date:

• 25 November 2025

go to method of application »

• The main purpose of this position is to strategically lead, coordinate, and manage international research funding and partnerships in line with Vision 130. This will entail searching for and identifying suitable international funding opportunities and being the expert on calls for the submission process.
• KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll   Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.
• INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
• To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                      
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the institutional internationalisation and research funding strategies.
• Lead strategic planning processes related to international funding diversification and partnership development.
• Provide expert advice to senior management on emerging global funding trends and policy shifts.
• Grant and Partnership Oversight
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritise highimpact international funding opportunities.
• Oversee institutional submissions to largescale collaborative funding programmes (EU Horizon, NIH, etc.).
• Manage due diligence, risk assessment, and governance of funded partnerships.
• Policy and Process Development
• Lead the development of institutional policies and procedures governing international research collaborations.
• Ensure compliance with national and international regulations, including financial and ethical standards.
• Standardise operational procedures to improve efficiency and accountability.
• Institutional and External Liaison
• Build and sustain strategic relationships with international donors, science councils, and embassies.
• Represent UFS in external consortia, policy networks, and research councils.
• Collaborate with Finance, DIRAP, Legal, and other support divisions to streamline institutional grant governance.
• Capacity Building and Training
• Develop and implement targeted workshops and mentorship programmes for researchers and support staff.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange sessions on international funding compliance and proposal excellence.

Reporting and Analytics

• Produce highlevel dashboards, reports, and insights on institutional funding trends.
• Provide data analytics to inform strategic decisions and performance monitoring within the Directorate.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or an advanced diploma/BTech degree/postgraduate certificate on NQF Level 7 in Research Administration, Project Management, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• A relevant postgraduate qualification on NQF Level 8 in Research Administration, Project Management, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field. 
• A master’s degree on NQF Level 9 will be advantageous.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in research management, international grants administration, or strategic partnership development in a higher education or research environment.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams or complex institutional initiatives, with proven success in managing multistakeholder partnerships and largescale international projects
• Indepth knowledge of international funding frameworks (e.g., EU Horizon, NIH, NRF, British Council) and associated compliance requirements. Proven ability to interpret policy and implement governance structures for grants and partnerships
• Advanced digital proficiency with research management systems (e.g., InfoEd, RIMS, NRF platforms).
• Financial acumen in managing grant budgets and partnership contracts.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills at senior levels
• Competencies
• Required competencies:
• Results Orientated:
• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations. 
• Strategic Thinking:
• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to plan work and to follow plans.

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 goodnatured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:

• The ability to be selfassured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
• The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision. 

Assumption of duties:

• As soon as possible.

Closing date:

• 20 November 2025

go to method of application »

Description

• This post was previously advertised as Job ID 6231.  All applications received in response to the previous advertisements, will automatically be considered again. Previous applicants therefore do not need to reapply.
• KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.
• INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
• To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                      
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).
• Duties and responsibilities: 
• Teach Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Public Administration modules to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Perform academic administration of undergraduate and postgraduate modules pertaining to learning, teaching, research and assessments.
• Contribute to curriculum development in the department and faculty.
• Provide supervision in postgraduate programmes to Honours, Master's or PhD students.
• Conduct high-quality research, publish in accredited journals, and deliver quality research outputs in line with the faculty's research strategy. Provide leadership in pursuit of the department and faculty’s strategic plan with regard to research, learning and teaching, engaged scholarship, as well as leadership and administration.
• Participate in additional academic activities including, but not limited to, presentation of research papers at national and/or international conferences as well as involvement in departmental/faculty research projects.
• Serve as a member of various academic and research committees and perform any other tasks allocated by the Dean and Head of the department.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with relevant research, civil society, government, industry, and professional organisations.
• Inherent requirements:
• Lecturer
• A PhD on NQF Level 10 relevant to the field of Public Administration and Management (for a permanent appointment) 
• or
• Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 relevant to the field of Public Administration and Management (contract appointment: five years during which a PhD on NQF Level 10 relevant to the field of Public Administration and Management MUST be obtained to be converted to a permanent appointment). 
• Proven record of teaching Public Administration related modules at an undergraduate and/or postgraduate level with a specific focus on Project Management and/ or Monitoring and Evaluation. 
• Proven experience in the delivery of poster or oral presentations at conferences or equivalent activities.
• Evidence of manuscripts produced that have the potential to be converted or submitted for publication in accredited journals.
• A good academic record (attach a copy).
• Senior Lecturer
• A PhD on NQF Level 10 relevant to the field of Public Administration and Management.
• Proven experience in the presentation of papers/posters at national scholarly conferences.
• Proven record of teaching Public Administration related modules at an undergraduate and/or postgraduate level with a specific focus on Project Management and/ or Monitoring and Evaluation. 
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research in a specific area of scholarship.
• An NRF rating or demonstrated potential for obtaining an NRF rating.
• Proven experience in supervising to completion of honours and master’s degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publication/s in peer reviewed national and international accredited scientific journals. 
• Proven experience of service as an active member of a national or international scholarly society or committee or agency concerned with research at higher-education levels.

Associate Professor

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 relevant to the field of Public Administration and Management.
• Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students.
• Proven record of teaching Public Administration related modules at an undergraduate and/or postgraduate level with a specific focus on Project Management and/ or Monitoring and Evaluation. 
• Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national and international conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers.
• Acted as an editorial board member of high-quality national scholarly journals.
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship.
• An NRF rating of C3 or equivalent status.
• Proven experience in the supervision of graduated master’s and doctoral degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals
• Served as a member of a national scholarly society OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels OR showed evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent.

Recommendations:

• Proven research record of relevant publications in national accredited journals.
• Member of a or registration at a professional body (applicable to Lecturer / Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor).
• Experience as a departmental leader/ manager in a higher education environment (applicable to Associate Professor).
• Sound knowledge of the South African Public Administration and Management environment.
• Sound knowledge of the South African public sector environment.
• Proven work experience in the South African public sector environment.

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Description

• The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Office of the Vice-Dean: Learning, Teaching, Innovation and Digitalisation in the Faculty of Law. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional career in (research) Law, with special research interests in teaching, learning, innovation and digitalisation are encouraged to apply.
• The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience in research and innovation at a higher education institution under the mentorship of established researchers.
• The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, considering the applicants' academic achievements, publication outputs and research potential, as well as the relevance of prior experience and expertise. The fellowship is available for a period of one year, renewable for up to two years subject to satisfactory performance and available funding. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct original, innovative and impactful research linked to the Vice-Dean's portfolio. 
• Generate high-quality, DHET-accredited outputs contributing to national and international debates on teaching, learning, and digitalisation in higher education. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.
• Participate in research projects and seek funding for them.
• Register and reside as postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research.

Eligibility criteria:

• Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State. 
• Graduated with an LLD or PhD degree in a relevant discipline within the last five years.
• Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
• Successful applicants must be able to relocate to the UFS for the duration of the fellowship. This is a residential fellowship: the successful applicant is required to spend 80% of their postdoctoral period at the UFS.
• Competencies
• To apply, please email the following documentation by 30 November 2025 to Dr. Jacques Matthee at [email protected] 
• Motivation letter, including a 1–2-page outline of relevant expertise and experience.
• Full CV including a list of research publications, conference papers and other scholarly output.
• Full transcripts of academic record and copy of doctoral degree certificate.
• Copy of ID document (or copy of passport in the case of foreign applicants).
• Contact details of two academic referees who have taught/supervised the candidate.
• Value of the fellowship:
• R270 000 Annual Fellowship.
• R30 000 Additional Research Expenses.

Commencement of fellowship:

• 01 February 2026

Closing date:

• 30 November 2025