Universities South Africa (USAf) Jobs – 25 June

To apply, check the email at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: STUDENT SUCCESS

Universities South Africa is a national association that represents the interests of the South
African public universities through its key roles of advocacy, strategic research and sector
support services. Universities South Africa also encourages cooperation among universities
and among partners with whom it shares interests. Universities South Africa is based in
Pretoria. As a non-profit organisation, Universities South Africa is funded through membership
fees and revenues from contract management services and donor agencies.

Applications are invited for the position of an Administrative Officer: Student Success

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: STUDENT SUCCESS
FIXED-TERM APPOINTMENT (ONE-YEAR RENEWABLE CONTRACT)
Remuneration package: Market-related salary package

Universities South Africa (USAf), through its Higher Education Leadership and Management
(HELM) division, invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced individuals for
the position of Administrative Officer: Student Success.

This position presents an exciting opportunity for a highly organised, service-oriented, and
detail-focused professional to contribute to the effective delivery of HELM’s Student Success
portfolio and support initiatives that strengthen student development and success across
South Africa’s university sector.

Reporting to the Senior Manager: Student Success, the Administrative Officer will provide
comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Student Success portfolio. The
successful candidate will play a key role in coordinating learning programmes, supporting
stakeholder engagement activities, managing administrative and financial processes, and
ensuring the smooth implementation of both online and face-to-face programmes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A Diploma in Administration, Office Management, Public
Management, Business Administration, or a related field • A minimum of 2–3 years’ relevant
administrative experience, preferably within a higher education, training, or development
environment • Experience supporting learning programmes, events, workshops, or training
initiatives will be advantageous • Exposure to procurement and financial administration
processes will be beneficial.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES: Excellent organisational and time-management
skills • Strong written and verbal communication abilities • High levels of accuracy, attention
to detail, and professionalism • Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills • The
ability to work independently and collaboratively • A proactive, service-oriented, and solutionfocused approach • Integrity, reliability, accountability, and the ability to maintain
confidentiality.

DIGITAL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS: Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, including Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook • Strong Excel skills for data management and reporting •
Familiarity with virtual learning and meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom •
Experience with databases, student information systems, or learning management systems
will be advantageous.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to): Programme and Operational Administration

• Provide administrative support for the coordination and delivery of short learning
  programmes, workshops, seminars, and related activities; Coordinate participant registration,
  programme logistics, venue arrangements, catering, travel, and online platform requirements;
  Prepare and distribute programme documentation, learning materials, and resources;
  Maintain programme records, attendance registers, and databases • Administrative Support
  to Leadership – Provide administrative and secretariat support to the Senior Manager:
  Student Success; Manage diaries, appointments, and meeting schedules; Prepare agendas,
  minutes, meeting packs, and follow-up documentation; Assist with drafting correspondence,
  reports, presentations, and briefing documents • Procurement and Financial
  Administration – Support procurement processes in accordance with organisational policies;
  Obtain quotations, prepare requisitions, and liaise with suppliers and service providers; Assist
  with contract administration and record management; Monitor programme expenditure,
  process invoices, and maintain financial records • Data Management and Reporting –
  Capture, manage, and maintain programme and stakeholder information; Assist with
  programme reporting, monitoring, and evaluation processes; Compile statistical and
  administrative reports using Microsoft Excel and related tools; Maintain effective electronic
  and manual filing systems • Stakeholder and Communication Support – Serve as a first
  point of contact for programme participants and stakeholders; Coordinate participant
  communication, feedback processes, and follow-up activities; Support stakeholder
  engagement and communication initiatives • Organisational Support – Contribute to general
  office administration and HELM activities; Support compliance with internal policies and
  procedures; Undertake additional administrative responsibilities as required

Interested candidates should please submit a letter of motivation and their CVs with the
names and contact details of at least three traceable referees, by close of business on 26
June 2026, to: recruitment@usaf.ac.za.

Correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates. If you have not been
contacted within 30 days after the closing date, please consider your application as
unsuccessful. People from designated groups, including those with disabilities, are
encouraged to apply.

Universities South Africa reserves the right not to make an appointment.

SENIOR MANAGER: STUDENT AFFAIRS AND STUDENT SUCCESS

Universities South Africa is a national association that represents the interests of the South
African public universities through its key roles of advocacy, strategic research and sector
support services. Universities South Africa also encourages cooperation among universities
and among partners with whom it shares interests. Universities South Africa is based in
Pretoria. As a non-profit organisation, Universities South Africa is funded through membership
fees and revenues from contract management services and donor agencies.

Applications are invited for the position of a Senior Manager: Student Affairs and Student
Success

SENIOR MANAGER: STUDENT AFFAIRS AND STUDENT SUCCESS
FIXED-TERM APPOINTMENT (ONE-YEAR RENEWABLE CONTRACT)
Remuneration package: Market-related salary package

Universities South Africa (USAf), through its Higher Education Leadership and Management
(HELM) programme, invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced individuals
for the position of Senior Manager: Student Affairs and Student Success. This is an exciting
opportunity for a dynamic higher education professional to contribute to the advancement of
student development, student wellbeing, leadership, inclusion, transformation, and student
success across South Africa’s university sector.

Reporting to the Director: HELM, the Senior Manager: Student Affairs and Student Success
will provide strategic leadership and oversight for HELM’s student success portfolio. The
successful candidate will lead the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation
of sector-wide programmes, research initiatives, professional development activities,
partnerships, and thought leadership interventions aimed at strengthening student success
across South African universities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A relevant Master’s degree in Higher Education, Education,
Student Affairs, Psychology, Social Sciences, Public Management, Leadership, or a related
field • A Doctoral qualification (PhD) will be a distinct advantage • A minimum of 2–5 years’
relevant experience within the higher education sector • Demonstrated management-level
experience within a university student affairs and/or student success environment • Proven
experience in programme management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic leadership •
Experience in student development, student wellbeing, student leadership, transformation,
higher education policy, and/or student success initiatives • Experience working across
multiple institutions or in sector-wide initiatives will be advantageous.

KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES: A strong understanding of the South African higher
education landscape • Knowledge of contemporary student affairs and student success
theories, practices, and policy frameworks • Strategic and conceptual thinking ability •
Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills • Strong project and programme
management capability • Relationship-building and networking skills • Analytical, research,
and report-writing expertise • Financial and administrative management competence • Strong
digital literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and the use of digital tools
for reporting, stakeholder engagement, project management, and student success monitoring.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to): Strategic Leadership and Programme
Development – Provide strategic leadership for HELM’s student success portfolio;
Conceptualise and manage national programmes, dialogues, seminars, workshops,
leadership initiatives, and professional development interventions; Develop frameworks,
guidelines, and sectoral initiatives that promote student success, wellbeing, inclusion,
transformation, and holistic student development; Contribute to sector thought leadership on
student affairs and student success • Sector Engagement and Stakeholder Management –
Build and maintain strategic relationships with universities, government departments, statutory
bodies, student affairs practitioners, student leadership structures, and other key
stakeholders; Facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the higher education
sector; Represent HELM in relevant national forums, committees, and sector engagements •
Research, Policy and Knowledge Development – Lead and support research initiatives
related to student affairs, student wellbeing, retention, graduate success, transformation, and
related fields; Analyse sector trends, policies, and emerging issues impacting student
success; Prepare strategic reports, discussion papers, policy briefs, and advisory documents

• Project and Financial Management – Oversee programme planning, implementation,
  monitoring, evaluation, and reporting; Manage programme budgets and ensure sound
  governance and financial management; Coordinate consultants, facilitators, and service
  providers; Ensure compliance with organisational policies and contractual obligations •
  Capacity Building and Professional Development – Design and support professional
  development initiatives for student affairs practitioners and university leaders; Promote
  innovation and best practice across the sector; Mentor emerging leaders and programme
  participants where appropriate • Organisational Contribution – Contribute to HELM’s
  broader strategic objectives and organisational initiatives; Support fundraising, proposal
  development, and partnership-building activities; Participate in organisational planning,
  governance, and reporting processes.

Interested candidates should please submit a letter of motivation and their CVs with the
names and contact details of at least three traceable referees, by close of business on 26
June 2026, to: recruitment@usaf.ac.za

Correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates. If you have not been
contacted within 30 days after the closing date, please consider your application as
unsuccessful. People from designated groups, including those with disabilities, are
encouraged to apply.

Universities South Africa reserves the right not to make an appointment.

PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR X2

Universities South Africa is a national association that represents the interests of the South
African public universities through its key roles of advocacy, strategic research and sector
support services. Universities South Africa also encourages cooperation among universities
and among partners with whom it shares interests. Universities South Africa is based in
Pretoria. As a non-profit organisation, Universities South Africa is funded through
membership fees and revenues from contract management services and donor agencies.

Applications are invited for the position of Project Administrator.

PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR X2
ONE-YEAR FIXED-TERM APPOINTMENT
Remuneration package: Market-related salary package

This position is responsible for providing administrative support for donor funded projects as
well as other administrative related tasks required in the Operations and Sector Support
Directorate.

REQUIREMENTS: A relevant diploma or bachelor’s degree in Finance; Information and
business administration or equivalent. • At least 5-6 years administrative experience. •
Experienced in organising and providing administrative assistance in a project management
and office environment • Experience in handling a wide range of enquiries. • Excellent record
keeping, data management and filing system • Proficient in written and verbal communication
skills • Proficient in Microsoft Office especially (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) advanced excel
and Adobe acrobat • Competitive advantage: experience in a SETA environment and Knowledge
of a project management software.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to): Project Coordination & Administration –
Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the bursary programme; maintain
project schedules, trackers, and milestone reports; coordinate meetings, workshops, and
stakeholder engagements; prepare meeting agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions •
Learner & Beneficiary Management – assist with recruitment, onboarding, and registration
of bursary beneficiaries; maintain accurate learner records and databases; track student
progress, attendance, and performance; provide administrative support to learners regarding
documentation and queries • Compliance & Documentation – ensure all project
documentation complies with services seta policies and requirements; maintain filing systems
(electronic and manual) for audits and reporting; assist in compiling reports required by seta,
funders, and internal stakeholders; monitor submission deadlines and ensure compliance with
funding agreement • Financial Administration Support – support processing of learner
stipends, invoices, and payments; track bursary expenditure against budget allocations; assist
in reconciling financial records related to the project • Stakeholder Engagement – liaise with
training providers, learners, seta officials, and internal departments; respond to queries and
provide timely communication to stakeholders; support coordination between academic
institutions and project team • Reporting – compile weekly, monthly, and quarterly progress
reports; maintain accurate data for performance monitoring and evaluation; assist in audit
preparation and project close-out reporting.

Interested candidates should please submit a letter of motivation and their CVs with the
names and contact details of at least three traceable referees, by close of business on 06
July 2026, to: recruitment@usaf.ac.za.

Correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates. If you have not been
contacted within 30 days after the closing date, please consider your application as
unsuccessful. People from designated groups, including those with disabilities, are
encouraged to apply.

Universities South Africa reserves the right not to make an appointment.

We wish you all the best with your applications