Purpose
- The main purpose of this position is to promote global excellence and stature by providing strategic and operational leadership and management for the Directorate of Student Affairs, which consists of Student Life and Communities, Student Governance, Student Health and Wellness, Sports and Recreation, and Student Life and Development. Further responsibilities include people management, budget and financial management and health and safety management.
Minimum Requirements
Director (P05)
- A master’s degree in a relevant discipline
- 10 years related experience in a Student Affairs environment and governance, of which the last five years have been in a senior leadership role,
- Demonstrable general dynamic leadership and management abilities
- Familiarity with the higher education legislative environment and transformation imperatives
- Demonstrable ability in conceptualising, planning and implementation of student development programmes and initiatives
- Has demonstrated a track record of managing the Executive Student Affairs portfolio and running a unit of a reasonable size
- Has a successful record of leadership and teamwork
- Has the ability to mobilize and inspire others towards shared goals
- Understands the operations and affairs of a university
- Think strategically and operationalise this into plans and
- Plan and manage budgets
- Computer literate (MS Office Suite)
Executive Director (P04)
- A Doctorate degree in a relevant discipline
- 10 years' related experience in a Student Affairs environment and governance, of which the last five years have been in a senior leadership role
- Demonstrable general dynamic leadership and management abilities
- Familiarity with the higher education legislative environment and transformation imperatives
- Demonstrable ability in conceptualising, planning and implementation of student development programmes and initiatives
- Has demonstrated a track record in managing Student Affairs or related portfolio and running a unit of a reasonable size
- Has a successful record of leadership and teamwork
- Has the ability to mobilise and inspire others towards shared goals
- Understands the operations and affairs of a university
- Think strategically and operationalise this into plans and
- Plan and manage budgets
- Computer literate (MS Office Suite)
Dean (P04)
- A Doctorate degree in a relevant discipline
- 10 years' related experience in a Student Affairs or related environment and governance, of which the last five years have been in a senior leadership role
- An academic track record and CV commensurate with that of a full professor
- Demonstrable general dynamic leadership and management abilities
- Familiarity with the higher education legislative environment and transformation imperatives
- Demonstrable ability in conceptualising, planning and implementation of student development programmes and initiatives
- Has demonstrated a track record in managing Student Affairs or related portfolio and running a unit of a reasonable size
- Has a successful record of leadership and teamwork
- Has the ability to mobilise and inspire others towards shared goals
- Understands the operations and affairs of a university
- Think strategically and operationalise this into plans and
- Plan and manage budgets
- Computer literate (MS Office Suite)
Duties
Strategy Development and Execution
- Actively support the Vice-Chancellor and Principal in the achievement of the objectives related to the academic project at SPU
- Review and update the SPU student affairs strategy and business plans in terms of:
- Student Governance;
- Living and Learning Communities.
- Student Health and Wellness.
- Sports and Recreation.
- Promotion of student development and leadership.
- Management of student bodies and organisation’s and,
- The promotion of student life and of a learning culture
- Oversee that all the Directorate's operations are in line and contribute towards the realisation of the University strategy
- Participate in the continuous review of the University strategy to align the Division’s plans with the overall University strategy
- Embed an institutional and performance culture that supports the implementation of the SPU mission, vision, values and strategic priorities
- Drive the induction of all new and current Student Affairs staff on:
- SPU vision, mission, values and strategic priorities,
- Strategic priorities of the department
Student Affairs: Operations Management
Student Governance
- Develop and implement proper student governance systems that comply with the required regulatory framework
- Develop and implement development initiatives that comply with the required regulatory framework
Residence Management
- Develop annual objectives for residence management
- Compile an annual residence placement plan
- Update on a regular basis the name list of residents and inform the necessary stakeholders like Finance, Student Financial Aid, about changes
- Plan annual maintenance schedule, in consultation with Infrastructure Planning and Maintenance
- Plan and oversee the full utilisation of the Sol Plaatje University residences to ensure full occupancy throughout the academic year
- Review and improve quality standards to meet the highest standards
- Provide adequate and appropriate support to resident students from relevant environments to maximize academic performance of students
Sports Management
- Provide leadership for the sound and effective administration of sports activities
- Provide overall leadership in the coordination and direction of sports and recreation programmes
- Promote sports participation among students
- Drive the affiliations of national and provincial federations
- Drive and deliver holistic student development
- Manage the recruitment of students who are exceptional in sport with the registrar’s office
- Liaise with national and provincial sport and recreation structures and federations
- Represent the Sport and Recreation Directorate in negotiating sponsorship deals
- Manage activities involved towards attracting revenue for sports programs and any additional source of funding
- Oversee the development and implementation of capacity building program for sports administrators, coaches and technical officials
Student Health and Counselling
- Develop annual objectives for student health and counselling services
- Develop an emergency medical care system
- Identify priorities, direct planning and design theory-based efforts for health-promoting programs (courses, workshops etc.)
- Oversee and ensure the development of a comprehensive service rendering in terms of health and wellness provisioning to university students
- Direct and co-ordinate health promotion outreach services
- Provide extended personal counselling, study counselling and social support programme
- Development of marketing and communications material
Diversity, Student Life and Development
- Develop annual objectives for diversity, student life and development
- Do regular climate surveys amongst the student population, in order to gauge climate and organisational culture issues
- Develop and implement a change management strategy,
Policy and Procedure Development
- Provide input into the review of current policies and procedures and the development of new policies and procedures where necessary
- Provide continuous feedback to line management and staff on implementation practices related to policies and procedures
Quality Assurance and Risk Management
Quality Assurance
- Implementation of the quality assurance standards/ measures to meet both internally set standards and the requirements of external bodies
Risk management
- Provide risk reporting
- Implement plans for identified risks
- Oversee the identification and avoidance of all risk elements in the Directorate's activities
Safety, Health and Environmental Management
- Ensure compliance with SHE policies and procedures
Resource Management: Human Resources
- Lead, manage and develop direct reports
- Review structures for their appropriateness to assist the Student Affairs department in achieving its strategic priorities
- Develop the Department's workforce plans together with HR and Finance to ensure adequate resource planning, budgeted and aligned to transformation targets
- Provide oversight into the recruitment and selection process for direct reports
- Support the achievement of equity targets and the transformation of the institutional culture
- Oversee the induction and probation of all new staff
- Drive performance contracts and regular reviews for all staff
- Provide oversight in the training of all staff on performance management processes and system
- Implement performance contracts for all staff and ensure regular reviews
- Drive the staff development conversations and development plans
- Develop a training budget for training needs
- Drive and promote sound employment relations
- Human resource administration
- Manage staff leave as per SPU policy
- Sign off on relevant documentation needed
Resource Management: Budget and Finance
- Develop the Department's Budget and provide sound financial management
Prepare and report on:
- Annual staffing and operating budget and capex
- Manage expenditure according to the approved annual budget
- Asset management
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
- Drive the effective implementation of reporting systems
- Monitor organisational health
- indicators, identify problem/concern areas and communicate to relevant stakeholders
- Identify trends and issues in Portfolio Areas and communicate to relevant stakeholders
- Develop relevant operational and strategic reports as and when required
- Research and implement best practices
- Prepare and submit any reports or data as required by legislation and/or Institutional Statutes
Closing Date 01 April 2026
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Purpose:
- The Compliance Officer must ensure compliance with institutional policies, financial regulations, and SCM frameworks in the procurement of goods and services, infrastructure procurement, and creditors’ payments.
- The role further supports compliance with built-environment contract frameworks (e.g., JBCC, NEC, GCC, FIDIC etc) by assessing the alignment between procurement processes, contractual obligations, and payment mechanisms within infrastructure projects.
Minimum Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree (NQF07) in finance, Accounting, Auditing, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in compliance, audit, or financial management within a public sector or higher education environment.
- Attention to detail.
Recommendations
- Professional certification in compliance, internal audit, or procurement (e.g., CIPS, CIA, CFE) advantageous.
Duties and Responsibilities
Compliance Monitoring & Assessment
- Ensure that all procurement and creditor transactions comply with institutional policies, financial regulations, and SCM frameworks.
- Review purchase orders, invoices, and payment documents for accuracy, legitimacy, and compliance with procurement procedures.
- Verify supplier selection, contract awarding, and payment processes against SCM Policy and guidelines.
- Conduct periodic compliance reviews to detect policy implementation gaps.
- Review infrastructure procurement documentation to ensure alignment between SCM requirements and the selected construction contract framework
- Assess whether procurement documentation and evaluation criteria reflect the contractual delivery model, risk allocation and payment structure applicable to the infrastructure project.
Risk Management & Fraud Prevention
- Identify irregularities, unauthorised transactions, or potential fraud in procurement and creditor payment cycles.
- Assess risks of non-compliance and recommend corrective measures.
- Ensure segregation of duties to prevent conflicts of interest, collusion, or unethical practices.
- Strengthen financial controls to minimize inefficiencies and irregularities.
- Identify financial and compliance risks arising from contractual payment provisions, variations, and contractor claims within infrastructure contracts.
- Monitor compliance with contractual certification and payment procedures to prevent irregular or unauthorised payments.
Policy & Procedure Enforcement
- Monitor adherence to procurement and financial procedures in line with SCM regulations.
- Ensure compliance with preferential procurement policies (e.g., BBBEE) and fair supplier selection.
- Enforce contract management requirements including supplier performance evaluations and adherence to contractual terms.
- Standardise processes to enhance discipline and accountability.
- Assess whether procurement processes support the contract strategy selected for infrastructure projects, including appropriate contractor selection methods, evaluation criteria and contractual conditions.
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
- Prepare regular compliance reports highlighting findings, risks, and deficiencies.
- Report non-compliance, irregular expenditures, and unauthorised deviations to senior management.
Provide evidence, documentation, and recommendations to strengthen internal controls.
- Support the Director with BBBEE reporting and compliance verification processes.
- Report compliance risks associated with construction contract administration, contractor payments, and variation management.
Process Improvement & Training
- Develop actionable strategies to address policy and procedural deficiencies.
- Recommend improvements to SCM processes and internal controls.
- Provide training and guidance to finance and procurement staff on regulatory changes, institutional policies, and compliance best practices.
- Promote a culture of compliance within the departments and faculties.
Contract & Expenditure Oversight
- Ensure supplier contracts and expenditure approvals align with budgetary limits and procurement thresholds.
- Monitor supplier payment terms to avoid penalties or late payments.
- Oversee compliance with infrastructure procurement requirements and creditor settlement obligations.
- Review infrastructure project contracts to ensure compliance with standard construction contract frameworks.
- Assess contractor payment mechanisms including interim payment certificates, retention provisions, milestone payments, and variation approvals to ensure alignment with SCM and contractual obligations.
- Monitor compliance with contractual conditions governing contractor selection, contract amendments, and payment authorisations.
Closing Date 10 April 2026
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