Council on Higher Education Vacancies

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Chief Operations Officer

The South African Council on Higher Education (CHE) is an independent statutory body established
by the Higher Education Act (Act No. 101 of 1997, as amended). As the Quality Council for Higher
Education in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act (NQF Act No. 67 of 2008, as
amended), it advises the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on all higher
education matters and is responsible for quality assurance and promotion through the Higher
Education Quality Committee (HEQC).

Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified candidates for appointment to the
following position:
Position: Chief Operations Officer
Sub-Programme: Strategic and Operational Support
Total Cost of Employment Package: R 1 813 182.00 per annum (all inclusive)

The CHE seeks to appoint a Chief Operations Officer (COO) who will provide strategic and
operational leadership to ensure the effective functioning of the Council on Higher Education’s
operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will be responsible for the
oversight and management of key operational portfolios, with a particular focus on Information
and Communications Technology (ICT) and Human Resources (HR), while also providing executive
oversight for other operational functions that typically fall under the COO portfolio, such as
legislative compliance, legal support, fund-raising and project management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure alignment of HR, ICT, and other
operational functions with the CHE’s strategic objectives.
Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of operational policies, frameworks, and
systems that support institutional effectiveness.
Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and governance frameworks
applicable to public entities, including compliance with legislation such as the Labour
Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Public Service Regulations. POPIA, BEEE
and others.
Contribute to the development and implementation of 5 – yearly Strategic Plans and
associated Annual Performance Plans.
Establish funding partnerships with other organisations as a means of expanding the CHE’s
funding base and enabling the resources to be in place to undertake specific projects.
Oversee the implementation of specific projects in key areas of CHE work.
Drive organisational development initiatives, including talent management, workforce
planning, retention and succession strategies and performance management.
Oversee HR policies, labour relations, employee wellness, and capacity-building initiatives to
enhance organisational effectiveness.
Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the CHE.
Lead the development and implementation of ICT policies, strategies and digital
transformation initiatives.
Oversee the maintenance of secure, reliable ICT infrastructure, systems, and business continuity
planning.
Ensure effective integration of technology to support the CHE’s internal operations; its quality
assurance functions; research, monitoring, policy and advice functions; data management,
and stakeholder engagement.
Oversee records management.
Support the CEO and Council in governance processes, including reporting, compliance, and
audit readiness.
Manage engagement with legal services when these are required in various areas of the CHE’s
work.
Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including higher
education institutions, government departments, and quality assurance networks.
Represent the CHE in relevant forums on operational, HR, and ICT matters.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

A postgraduate degree (NQF level 8 or higher) in Business Administration, Public Administration,
Human Resources Management, Information Systems, or related fields. A Master’s degree will
be an added advantage.
At least 10 years’ experience in senior management, with a proven track record in managing
HR, ICT, or related corporate services portfolios.
Demonstrated experience in public sector management, governance, and compliance with
applicable legislation (e.g., PFMA, HR and ICT policies).
Experience in strategic planning, operational management, and leading multidisciplinary
teams.
Previous exposure to the higher education or public entity environment will be a strong
advantage.
The strategic competence and ability to take lead responsibility for the planning, execution
and monitoring of new and existing functions and projects.
Strong strategic leadership and management capability, including financial management.
Strong knowledge of HR management, organisational development, and labour law in South
Africa.
Strong understanding of ICT systems, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and data
governance.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
High level of integrity, ethical conduct, and commitment to public service values.
Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions.
Change-management expertise and ability to lead organisational transformation.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
To apply please submit a completed job application form available from the CHE website
(www.che.ac.za/newsroom/vacancies), a CV and certified copies of qualifications
accompanied by a detailed motivation regarding your suitability for the position, as well as
how you meet each of the stipulated requirements. The names and contact numbers of three
work related referees should be provided.

Applications not on the prescribed application form and submitted without the
certified copies attached will not be considered.

Applications must be forwarded to Affirmative Portfolios, for attention Destiny
Penniken via e-mail to recruitment@affirm.co.za or hand delivered to 14 Petunia
Street, Corner Main Road, La Rocca Office Park, Block E, Bryanston.

Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. If you have not been contacted within
30 days after the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful. Shortlisted
candidates will be required to undergo psychometric tests and competency assessments to
determine their suitability for employment.

Further details pertaining to conditions of service including remuneration are available from
Mashiane.m@che.ac.za. Enquiries regarding technical details of the job should be directed to
Green.w@che.ac.za.

The CHE is committed to Employment Equity and aims to attract and retain talented individuals
to achieve its equity objectives. Therefore, people from designated groups, including those
with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Closing date: 23 January 2026
No late applications will be considered.

Senior Researcher

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) is an independent statutory body established by the
Higher Education Act (Act No. 101 of 1997, as amended). It advises the Minister of Higher
Education and Training on higher education matters and, as the Quality Council for Higher
Education in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act (Act No. 67 of 2008, as
amended) it is responsible for quality assurance and promotion in higher education through
the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC).

The Research and Monitoring Programme is responsible for conducting research on issues that
are critical for the continuing development of a vibrant, innovative, transformative, and futureoriented national higher education system, responsive to the changing needs of society. It is
also responsible for monitoring developments within the higher education landscape; regularly
publishing information about these developments; providing platforms for national critical
discourses on topical higher education issues; and facilitating such national discourses. The
programme generates data and knowledge resources that make the CHE a knowledge hub
for the higher education sector.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for appointment
to the following position:
Position: Senior Researcher
Programme: Research and Monitoring
Total cost of employment package: R1 266 714.00 per annum (all inclusive)

The successful candidate will be reporting to the Director: Research and Monitoring
Main responsibilities:
§ Conceptualising research projects, preparing comprehensive research proposals, and
compiling submissions to apply for ethical clearance.
§ Leading data collection, data processing, data analysis, and other practical research
processes in qualitative and quantitative empirical and/or desk-top research projects.
§ Drafting progress reports and final research reports, submitting these for review process,
and revising them appropriately taking into account feedback from the review
process.§ Disseminating relevant research information, including research findings, at
conferences, colloquia and symposia, as well as in scholarly publications.
§ Coordinating and monitoring research projects commissioned out to external
researchers, and managing contracts of the external researchers.
§ Reviewing research outputs produced by in-house researchers, interns and external
researchers; and providing guidance on how these could be improved and/or
strengthened.
§ Collaborating with colleagues in monitoring, policy, advice, quality assurance, and
management of higher education qualifications areas of work within the CHE on
projects that have research dimensions.
§ Screening manuscripts received for publication in Kagisano, the research journal of the
CHE, processing them for a peer review process, and packaging the feedback from
the peer reviewers to be communicated to authors.
§ Managing intellectual engagement and/or national critical discourse events, including
managing task teams or working groups established to plan, organise and coordinate
such events.
§ Drafting reports and other relevant submissions to the Research, Monitoring and Advice
Committee; Council; the Department of Higher Education and Training; and other
stakeholder bodies.
§ Participating actively in initiatives to grow the research area of work within the CHE,
and to increase the impact of the research on the higher education system in South
Africa.
§ Networking with researchers and other research stakeholders in universities, science
councils, and other public and private research entities locally and internationally.

Minimum requirements
§ Research-based master’s degree, preferably in Higher Education or related Humanities
and Social Science disciplines. A doctorate degree in Higher Education or related
Humanities and Social Science discipline will be accorded more preference.
§ Five (5) years’ demonstrable research experience that includes a research project, or
several research projects on higher education.
§ Three (3) scholarly papers or book chapters published within the last five (5) years in
journals or books that are recognised by the Department of Higher Education and
Training (DHET).
§ Three (3) conference presentations delivered within the last five (5) years.§ Demonstrable experience of managing research projects, research teams, research
project budgets, and quality of research outputs.
§ Demonstrable experience of organising intellectual engagement events such as
conferences, colloquia and seminars.
§ Demonstrable understanding of research – policy interface, and societal impacts of
research.
§ Above average academic writing skills.
§ Above average academic review and/or editing skills.

Competencies
§ Academic rigour
§ Academic writing
§ Attention to detail
§ Collegiality
§ Conceptual, strategic and systems thinking
§ Critical analysis
§ Deadline consciousness
§ Emotional intelligence
§ Facilitation of events
§ Knowledge management
§ Planning and organising
§ Problem solving
§ Project management
§ Quality orientation
§ Qualitative research
§ Quantitative research
§ Research ethics and integrity
§ Research philosophy in Education, Social Sciences or Humanities
§ Stakeholder engagement
§ Verbal and written communication

Application procedures
To apply please submit the following:
a) A completed job application form available from the CHE website
(www.che.ac.za/newsroom/vacancies).
b) A comprehensive CV which should include a list of scholarly publications, among
others.
c) Certified copies of qualifications.
d) Copies of three (3) articles/papers published in scholarly journals, and/or book
chapters, published within the last five (5) years.
e) A detailed motivation regarding your suitability for the position, as well as how you
meet each of the stipulated requirements.
f) Names and contact details (including telephone numbers) of three work-related
referees, one of whom should be a current line manager or one who was a line
manager within the last five (5) years.

Applications that will not include all that is listed above will not be considered.

Applications must be forwarded to Affirmative Portfolios, for attention Destiny Penniken via email to recruitment@affirm.co.za or hand delivered to 14 Petunia Street, Corner Main Road, La
Rocca Office Park, Block E, Bryanston.

Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. If you have not been contacted
within 30 days after the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo psychometric tests and competency
assessments to determine their suitability for employment.

Further details pertaining to conditions of service including remuneration are available from
+27 12 349 3872 or email Mashiane.M@che.ac.za. Enquiries about the technical aspects of the
position may be directed to research@che.ac.za. The CHE is committed to Employment Equity
and aims to attract and retain talented individuals to achieve its equity objectives. Therefore,
people from designated groups, including those with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Closing date: 23 January 2026

No late applications will be considered

Communications and Media Officer

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) is an independent statutory body established
by the Higher Education Act (Act No. 101 of 1997, as amended). It advises the Minister
of Higher Education and Training on higher education matters and, as the Quality
Council for Higher Education in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act
(Act No. 67 of 2008, as amended) it is responsible for quality assurance and promotion
in higher education through the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC).

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for
appointment to the following position:
Position: Communications and Media Officer
Sub-Programme: Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Basic Salary (Excluding Benefits)
R468 459.00 per annum

The successful candidate will be reporting to the Communications and Stakeholder
Relations Manager, and ultimately to the Chief Executive Officer, Office of the CEO.

Purpose of the Role
To implement the CHE’s communication strategy by coordinating internal and
external communications in line with the organisation’s vision, mission, and brand
identity.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan, coordinate and manage CHE events, including promotion, logistics and
evaluation.
Implement internal and external communication strategies.
Manage and update website and digital platforms.
Develop and implement communication campaigns and content (articles,
newsletters, social media).
Build and maintain media relationships and monitor media coverage.
Manage the Knowledge Resource Centre, including digital and physical
resources.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAS)

Events management
Internal and external communication
Media Relations
Knowledge resource centre management

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related
NQF Level 7 qualification.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a Communications Officer or similar role.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Computer literacy (MS Office 365 and internet).
Strong interpersonal, organisational and client-service skills.

Competencies

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong attention to detail and organisational abilities.
Ability to work independently and in a team.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
Knowledge and usage of graphic design tools (Canva or Adobe).
Website content management.

Application procedures
To apply please submit the following:
a) A completed job application form available from the CHE website
(www.che.ac.za/newsroom/vacancies).
b) A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV).
c) Certified copies of qualifications.
d) A detailed motivation regarding your suitability for the position, as well as how
you meet each of the stipulated requirements.
e) Names and contact details (including telephone numbers) of three workrelated referees, including at least one from a recent line manager.

Applications that do not include all that is listed above will not be considered.

Applications must be forwarded to Affirmative Portfolios, for attention Destiny Penniken
via e-mail to recruitment@affirm.co.za or hand delivered to 14 Petunia Street, Corner
Main Road, La Rocca Office Park, Block E, Bryanston.

Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. If you have not been
contacted within 30 days after the closing date, please consider your application as
unsuccessful. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo psychometric tests
and competency assessments to determine their suitability for employment.

Further details pertaining to conditions of service including remuneration are available
from +27 12 349 3872 or email Mashiane.M@che.ac.za. Enquiries about the technical
aspects of the position may be directed to Bhengu.N@che.ac.za.The CHE is
committed to Employment Equity and aims to attract and retain talented individuals
to achieve its equity objectives. Therefore, people from designated groups, including
those with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Closing date: 23 January 2026

No late applications will be considered.

Advisory Specialist

The Policy and Advice Programme is responsible for developing and/or reviewing policies and
frameworks that govern the work of the CHE and provide guidance to institutions and other
higher education stakeholders. It also monitors and evaluates the implementation of national
policies, as well as regional protocols and global conventions and frameworks that have a
bearing on higher education in South Africa. Furthermore, the programme is responsible for
developing evidence-based advice on higher education matters in fulfilment of CHE’s
legislated mandate to advise the Minister responsible for higher education, at the request of
the Minister, or on CHE’s own initiative.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for appointment
to the following position:
Position: Advisory Specialist
Programme: Policy and Advice
Total cost of employment package: R1 059 105.00 per annum (all inclusive)

The successful candidate will be reporting to the Director: Policy and Advice
Main responsibilities:
§ Conducting relevant research, including international benchmarking research, to
inform the process of formulating advice in response to requests for advice from the
Minister and/or the Department of Higher Education and Training.
§ Reviewing the intellectual outputs generated by different areas of work within the CHE
and identifying material that can be packaged into advice to the Minister and/or the
Department of Higher Education and Training, on the CHE’s own initiative.
§ Engaging colleagues in research, monitoring, policy, quality assurance and
management of higher education qualifications areas of work within the CHE for the purpose of identifying feasible areas of advice to the Minister and/or the Department
of Higher Education and Training, on CHE’s own initiative.
§ Coordinating the work of expert panels, task teams and working groups constituted to
work on formulating advice requested by the Minister and/or the Department of Higher
Education and Training.
§ Reviewing, proofreading and formatting advisory reports or advisory notes drafted by
expert panels, task teams, and working groups in readiness for tabling at meetings of
the Research, Monitoring and Advice Committee, and Council.
§ Coordinating the post-advice engagement with the office of the Minister and with the
Department of Higher Education and Training, including the processes of seeking
feedback on the advisory notes submitted.
§ Keeping up-to-date records of the advisory work of the CHE, including records of the
compositions of the expert panels, tasks teams and working groups; research reports
on which advisory notes are based; advisory notes submitted; the feedback received;
and the engagement and other activities that spin off from the submitted advisory
notes, among others.
§ Preparing socio-economic impact assessment system (SEIAS) applications for
submission to the Presidency and liaising with the Presidency on a continuous basis until
the conclusion of the SEIAS process for each relevant project.
§ Monitoring up-take of the advice submitted and accepted by the Minister and/or the
Department of Higher Education and Training, and compiling reports of the findings.
§ Drafting reports and other relevant submissions to the Research, Monitoring and Advice
Committee; Council; the Department of Higher Education and Training; and other
stakeholder bodies.
§ Making constructive inputs into the process of developing the yearly agenda and
operational plans for the research, monitoring and policy areas of work within the CHE
so that projects that may lead to advice are prioritised.
§ Playing an active role in planning and organising conferences, colloquia, and other
intellectual engagement forums for the Policy and Advice Programme.

Minimum requirements
§ A master’s degree (NQF level 9), preferably in Education or in closely related disciplines
within the Humanities and Social Sciences.
§ Three (3) years’ work experience in a research environment whose output includes
advisory reports or advisory notes.
§ Two (2) advisory reports or advisory notes (or related outputs such as research reports
and/or scholarly publications) produced§ Two (2) conference/colloquium/seminar presentations.
§ Demonstrable experience of planning and organising conferences and other
intellectual engagement forums.
§ Demonstrable experience of coordinating the work of expert panels, task teams and
working groups, preferably in projects that lead to advisory reports or advisory notes.
§ Demonstrable experience of communication and engagement at different levels.
§ High level understanding of governance of higher education including the three higher
education steering mechanisms.

Competencies
§ Advisory writing
§ Attention to detail
§ Collegiality
§ Coordination
§ Communication and interpersonal skills
§ Critical analysis
§ Deadline consciousness
§ Emotional intelligence
§ Systems thinking
§ Research (the entire value chain)
§ Planning and organising
§ Problem solving
§ Project management
§ Professional ethics and integrity
§ Quality orientation

e) A detailed motivation regarding your suitability for the position, as well as how you
meet each of the stipulated requirements.
f) Names and contact details (including telephone numbers) of three work-related
referees, one of whom should be a current line manager or one who was a line
manager within the last three (3) years.

Applications that do not include all that is listed above will not be considered.
Applications must be forwarded to Affirmative Portfolios, for attention Destiny Penniken via email to recruitment@affirm.co.za or hand delivered to 14 Petunia Street, Corner Main Road, La
Rocca Office Park, Block E, Bryanston

Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. If you have not been contacted
within 30 days after the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo psychometric tests and competency
assessments to determine their suitability for employment.

Senior Policy Specialist

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for appointment
to the following position:
Position: Senior Policy Specialist
Programme: Policy and Advice
Total cost of employment package: R1 266 714.00 per annum (all inclusive)

The successful candidate will be reporting to the Director: Policy and Advice
Main responsibilities:
§ Conducting scoping, prefeasibility and feasibility studies for new policies that are to be
developed, and for existing policies that are to be reviewed.
§ Providing intellectual and operational leadership in the processes of developing new
policies or processes of reviewing and revising existing policies and taking responsibility
for the outputs.
§ Conceptualising, designing, and implementing projects for monitoring and evaluation
of the implementation of the relevant national policies and the policies developed by
the CHE.§ Conceptualising, designing, and implementing projects for assessing the impacts of the
implementation of the relevant national policies and the policies developed by the
CHE.
§ Organising and facilitating policy colloquia, workshops and other policy consultative
forums and/or policy intellectual engagement forums.
§ Engaging in policy research and scholarship and generating well-researched policy
briefs, policy articles for publication in relevant scholarly publications, and policy
commentaries.
§ Monitoring developments within the national policy environment and assessing the
implications of those developments on the policies and frameworks that govern the
work of the CHE.
§ Monitoring developments regarding regional higher education protocols and
international higher education conventions and frameworks and assessing the
implications of those developments on the national higher education policies in South
Africa.
§ Drafting reports and other relevant submissions to the Research, Monitoring and Advice
Committee; Council; the Higher Education Quality Committee; the Department of
Higher Education and Training; and other stakeholder bodies.
§ Collaborating with colleagues in research, monitoring, advice, quality assurance, and
management of higher education qualifications areas of work within the CHE on
projects that have implications for the policy portfolio.
§ Networking with policy experts and other relevant stakeholders in government
departments, independent policy thinktanks, policy analysts, policy implementation
agencies, and policy research units in universities, science councils, and other research
entities locally and internationally.
§ Mentoring early career policy professionals and interns.

Minimum requirements
§ A research-based master’s degree (NQF level 9) preferably in Public Policy,
Research/Policy Interface or related policy leaning areas of study. A doctorate degree
(NQF level 10) in Public Policy, Research/Policy Interface or related policy leaning areas
of study will be accorded more preference.
§ Five (5) years’ demonstrable experience in any of the following: policy research and
scholarship, policy development, policy analysis, policy implementation (inclusive of
monitoring and evaluation), and policy impact assessment.
§ Three (3) written outputs of policy work (policies, scholarly, publications, reports,
commentaries, policy briefs) produced within the last five (5) years.
§ Three (3) presentations delivered at policy conferences, workshops, colloquia or other
policy consultative and/or intellectual engagement forums, within the last five (5)
years.
§ Demonstrable in-depth understanding of higher education policies, regional protocols,
and international conventions and frameworks.
§ Experience of managing policy development projects, policy implementation
monitoring and evaluation projects, policy impact assessment projects, or policy
review projects.
§ Experience of organising policy conferences, workshops, colloquia, or other policy
consultative and/or intellectual engagement forums.
§ Experience of facilitating stakeholder consultative workshops and chairing or
facilitating intellectual engagements.

Competencies
§ Attention to detail
§ Collegiality
§ Conceptual thinking
§ Emotional intelligence
§ Facilitation
§ Negotiation skills
§ Policy analysis
§ Policy development
§ Policy impact assessment
§ Policy implementation (inclusive of monitoring and evaluation)
§ Policy research and scholarship
§ Policy review
§ Policy writing
§ Problem solving
§ Professional ethics and integrity
§ Project management
§ Planning and organising
§ Stakeholder engagement
§ Quality orientation
§ Verbal and written communication

Application procedures
To apply please submit the following:
a) A completed job application form available from the CHE website
(www.che.ac.za/newsroom/vacancies).
b) A comprehensive CV which should include a list of successfully completed policyrelated projects, among others.
c) Certified copies of qualifications.
d) Copies of three (3) written outputs of policy work (for example, policies, publications,
reports, policy commentaries, policy briefs) produced within the last five (5) years.
e) A detailed motivation regarding your suitability for the position, as well as how you
meet each of the stipulated requirements.
f) Names and contact details (including telephone numbers) of three work-related
referees, one of whom should be a current line manager or one who was a line
manager within the last five (5) years.

Applications that do not include all that is listed above will not be considered.

Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. If you have not been contacted
within 30 days after the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo psychometric tests and competency
assessments to determine their suitability for employment.

Closing date: 23 January 2026
No late applications will be considered

We wish you all the best with your applications

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Advisory Specialist

Senior Policy Specialist

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