The Director: Institutional Student Governance Office is responsible for directing all student governance matters, inclusive of student political associations on all three campuses of the University of Free State in line with the vision, mission, and values of the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) and the University’s Vision 130. The position is crucial for maintaining campus stability and implementing preventative strategies to avoid student protests and strikes. Ensuring the continuation of academic projects with minimal or no disruptions is essential for maintaining academic stability and sustainability.  The position must ensure that ISGO staff support the Student Representative Council (SRC) and student structures in running programmes to ensure a vibrant student governance environment. The position will direct the strategy of ISGO and oversee its implementation. The Director must ensure smooth operations and finances of the office. The Director will also be expected, when required, to provide strategic support to the Executive Director and contribute to the broader Division of Student Affairs.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Planning:

•    Lead the strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of the Institutional Student Governance Office’s (ISGO) strategic goals in line with the vision, mission and values of the Division Student Affairs (DSA) and the UFS.

•    Oversee the integrated reporting of ISGO on all three campuses.

•    Lead engagements with the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) and the entire student body on all three campuses.

•    Ensure participation of the Student Representative Council (SRC) in all relevant UFS forums.

•    Lead the management of risks within Student Governance.

•    Provide a strategic oversight of the programmes and activities of the ISRC.

•    Create strategies for addressing the underlying issues that may be driving student protests.

•    Participate in the development of DSA strategy as directed by the Executive Director.

•    Engage Student Life to facilitate Leadership training and related capacitation programmes.  

Financial Management:

•    Direct the overall budget and financial management of ISGO.

•    Manage allocation of budgets to sub-units of the ISGO.

•    Ensure intentional spending of all allocated funds in alignment with UFS goals and to advance DSA goals.

Project Management:

•    Identify new opportunities in respect of student needs, conceptualize relevant programmes and direct the implementation in line with divisional goals.

•    Lead the architecture of strategic projects within IGSO.

•    Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of strategic projects’ impact.

•    Oversee the implementation and strengthening of systems that promote a culture of accountability and integrity at the UFS, with a special focus on Student Leaders.

•    Ensure, in consultation with the Executive Director, the planning and smooth running of SRC elections.

Policy Development:

•    Identify policy gaps for development within Student Governance and review existing policies for alignment.

•    Lead and review the development, and ensure compliance with consultative processes and the submission to relevant approval structures.

•    Ensure implementation of policies within the ISGO environment.

•    Guide and provide strategic leadership within ISGO as a core part of the Student Affairs Senior Leadership Group.

•    Represent ISGO in relevant Institutional committees.

•    Represent the Executive Director in various institutional committees when delegated.

•    Ensure ISRC constitution and related ISGO policies are reviewed when the policy term ends.

Personnel Management:

•    Lead human resources processes, in collaboration with Human Resources, concerning personnel in ISGO.

•    Provide strategic leadership to attract and retain sufficiently qualified and competent staff.

•    Oversee the enhancement of teamwork and departmental coherence.

•    Oversee the implementation of the staff Performance Management Programme.

•    Oversee the efficient management of leave processes.

•    Oversee efficient and effective administration of Student Affairs financial resources.

•    Oversee the adherence of university procurement procedures within ISGO.

•    Oversee the implementation of processes aligned to achieve employment equity targets in Student Affairs.

•    Oversee continuous development of ISGO staff.

Protest Management and Resolution:

•    Act as a liaison between the administration and student groups to reach a consensus and peaceful resolution.

•    Work with campus security to maintain order and manage potential risks during the protests.

•    Monitor social media and other communication channels to stay updated on the progress of protests, to respond to student concerns and advise the Executive Director: Student Affairs.

•    Develop communication plans to inform students, faculty members, and the public about the protests and any related activities or news.

•    Facilitate discussions and other forms of debate to promote conversation and dialogue rather than violence.

•    Work with university leaders and faculty members to identify potential solutions to the challenges that students are protesting about.

•    Advise, through the Executive Director, university executive management on potential protests and solutions thereof.

Inherent Job Requirements

•    A Master’s degree on NQF Level 9.

•    A minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience in areas indicated in the duties and responsibilities, of which five (5) years must have been in a managerial and strategic leadership position.

•    Experience in strategic and operational planning and execution.

•    Experience in a university or similar environment.

Recommendations

•    Experience in and sound knowledge of Student Governance.

•    Ability to think strategically and engage strategic frameworks.

•    Demonstrated administrative experience.

•    A firm understanding of the challenges in the higher education sector in South Africa.

•    Background in higher education and student Governance structures.

Key Competencies Required:

•    Results-orientation:

-    The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals and work to achieve success.

-    The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.

-    The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.

•    Strategic thinking:

-    The ability to think strategically and operationalise thinking into plans and projects.

-    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:

-    The ability to demonstrate effective communication skills, negotiation skills, persuasion skills, good interpersonal skills, and a well-reasoned decision-making ability.

•    Leadership:

-    A successful track record of leadership and team building.

-    The ability to positively influence and inspire others towards shared goals.

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

•    Building coalitions:

-    The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and persuade others.

-    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.

Required Documents

Please ensure all relevant documentation is attached to your application. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

•    A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter.

•    Copies of qualifications (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications).

•    A copy of your identity document (ID or passport in the case of foreign nationals).

•    Proof of registration with a professional body (if applicable).

•    A copy of your driver’s licence (if applicable).

•    Confirmation of employment from current employer/last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).

Assumption of duties

As soon as possible.

Closing date

19 January 2025.

Salary

The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits

Subject to specific conditions: pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact 051 401 9329 or email VermaakM@ufs.ac.za. In addition, kindly contact 051 401 9848 for assistance.

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its employment equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups, including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at: EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf.

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.