Vacancies at University of the Western Cape/Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland

Reporting to the Director: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the successful applicant will be responsible for:

• The overall office management, including overseeing the coordination of the undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment, transition and academic programs to ensure successful implementation.
• The overall financial management, the day-to-day budget management and timely submission of financial reports in accordance with approved budgets. 
• The Program’s procurement and asset management processes in accordance with the university’s policies.
• The governance and compliance with the funding agency’s terms, conditions and requirements and representing the Program Director on structures internally and externally.
• The effective marketing and communication of the Scholars Program, in close liaison with the Department of Institutional advancement. 
• The Liaison with senior and middle management internally and key external agencies, including the funding body and implementing partners.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements (Qualification and Experience)

• The successful candidate must have an Honours Degree at an NQF Level 8
• A minimum of 8 years’ relevant experience in high level office and financial management
• Extensive experience in managing grant funding and budgets
• Experience in managing stakeholder relations
• Experience in high-level project management

Added Advantage:

• Working experience in the Higher Education sector

Required competencies (skills, knowledge, and behavioural attributes):

• Proven organisational, administrative and project management skills
• Ability to problem-solve and manage multiple projects at once
• Strong knowledge of financial management and accounting skills and competencies;
• Experience in grant coordination, financial and budget management, implementation monitoring and reporting. 
• Strong analytical skills and mathematical proficiency.
• Excellent planning and execution skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Experience in establishing relationships and sustainable partnerships. 

go to method of application »

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct independent and collaborative research projects in alignment with the objectives of the SARChI; 
• Publish high-quality research papers in accredited journals and present findings through science engagement through scientific and non-scientific media and platforms; 
• Participate in grant writing and secure funding for research projects; 
• Mentor students involved in research activities 
• Provide training on research methods 
• Engage and co-construct interventions with families and community stakeholders to strengthen families 

Minimum Requirements

• Masters focusing on the family 
• PhD Registration focusing on the family 
• Demonstrated expertise in the study of the family 
• At least one (1) accepted or published article, book, book chapter 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills especially with and in communities 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse environment 
• Ability to project manage 

Recommended: 

• Involvement in professional societies and networks 
• Registration with the HPCSA or the SACSSP 
• Demonstrated ability to translate research findings into practical applications 

go to method of application »

Key Performance Areas (KPA’s):

• Day-to-day administration and support of multiple projects to ensure smooth and timely delivery,
• Schedule meetings and workshops,
• Prepare and document all meeting/workshop agendas and minutes,
• Track sign-off of project artefacts and deliverables,
• Monitor, track and update RAID (Risks, Actions, Issues and Decisions) Log items,
• Assist with the preparation of weekly, monthly and Executive reports,
• Assist with Procurement related activities across multiple projects,
• Financial Administration, including:
• The updating of project financial reports and project budgets,
• Processing Invoices and raising Purchase Orders for project and departmental procurement,
• Maintain all project and document folders,
• Provide responses to ad hoc requests for information on projects,
• Act as a link between the Project Management Office, Vendor/s and University stakeholders as and when required.

Minimum Requirements (Qualification, Skills & Experience):

• Grade 12 Certificate (NQF 4),
• 2-3 Years’ experience within Project Administration,
• Sound technology skills relating to the use of:
• MS Office Excel,
• MS Office Word,
• MS Office PowerPoint,
• Google Business Tools: Meet, Sheets, Docs, Slides as well be able to navigate between team drives, folders, etc.
• Strong planning, organising and time management skills,
• Strong verbal and written communications,
• Demonstrated ability to work both unsupervised and collaboratively within a team to deliver results within agreed deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Additional post Grade 12 certificate, diploma or BTech Degree within the IT field,
• Experience in using project management software and tools (e.g. MS Project, PPM, PPO),
• Experience and knowledge of project management principles and methodologies (e.g. PMBOK, Waterfall, Prince2, Agile, etc.).

Required Competencies:

• Ability to multitask, working on a number of projects simultaneously with tight deadlines,
• Ability to take initiative and follow instructions,
• Fast learner, able to adapt to change quickly,
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively across diverse audiences, both verbally and written,
• Problem solving skills,
• Strong attention to detail,
• Excellent organisational skills.