Recruitment Vacancies at University of the Free State

Description

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Provide formal teaching for undergraduate as well as post-graduate programmes. 
• Act as a supervisor for postgraduate students. 
• Ensure active involvement in research. 
• Active involvement in curriculum development relating to Mathematics Education. 

As ETDP-SETA Research Chair: 

• Continuous planning and execute teaching and research strategies, general organising and coordinating of administrative duties, mentoring, and motivating staff, manage finances (e.g., annual budgeting, allocation of funds) of the Research Chair.
• Provide academic leadership by creating and executing strategies for the Research Chair’s projects. 
• Provide leadership and oversight of the following projects in the ETDP-SETA Research Chair:
• Supply and demand processes and requirements in the Mathematics Teacher Education.
• Matric Mathematics achievement as a predictor of university success in Mathematics related fields.
• Primary school Mathematics teachers’ levels of content knowledge.
• Areas of the early grade Mathematics curriculum (grade R-2).
• Latest trends in Mathematics learning trajectories that are followed by South African students.
• Energise everybody in the Research Chair.
• Supervise post-doc fellows allocated to the ETDP-SETA Research Chair.
• Communicate effectively internally and externally.
• Ensure: 
• Adherence to all the rules and regulations of the UFS, faculty and discipline. 
• Quality and timely feedback on project progress to ETDP-SETA
• Create and maintain: 
• Visionary research strategy for the Research Chair.
• Environment that encourages research leading to strong and active research habits and a culture of inquiry. 
• Actively engage with the faculty research committee and the UFS Directorate of Research Development to ensure sustainable support for the Research Chair’s initiatives.

Inherent requirements:

Associate Professor

• A relevant Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 with specialisation in Mathematics Education. 
• Candidates should also be in possession of a formal teaching qualification (e.g., Diploma in Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Bachelor of Education degree or equivalent). 
• Proven experience in research management and capacity building. 
• Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students. 
• Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national and international conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers. 
• Act as an editorial board member and/or reviewer of high-quality national scholarly journals. 
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship. 
• An NRF rating of C3 or equivalent status. 
• Proven experience in the supervision of graduated master’s and doctoral students. 
• A proven research record of relevant publications in accredited national and international journals. 
• Serve as a member of a national scholarly society, OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels, OR show evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent.

Professor

• A relevant Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 with specialisation in Mathematics Education. 
• Candidates should also be in possession of a formal teaching qualification (e.g., Diploma in Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Bachelor of Education degree or equivalent). 
• Proven experience in research management and capacity building. 
• Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students. 
• Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national and international conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers. 
• Act as an editorial member and/or reviewer of high quality national scholarly journals. 
• Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship (e.g., regularly serves as a reviewer for international/ISl/IBSS journals). 
• An NRF rating of C1 or C2 or equivalent status 
• Demonstrated successful supervision of graduated master's and preferably doctoral students. 
• Proven experience in delivering keynote addresses at national scholarly conferences. 
• Serve as a member of a national scholarly society, OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels, OR show evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Use analytical, statistical, and programming skills to collect, analyse and interpret large and/or unstructured data sets.
• Effectively mine and analyse large sets of data to derive actionable insights and value from data (internally and externally sourced).
• Integrate traditional research with data-driven insights.
• Deliver accurate reports on time (Including performing required checks to ensure data accuracy and integrity).
• Gather data and enable a centralized data knowledge management system that integrates sources into one platform.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand current challenges and needs that should be met with data solutions.
• Design, build and update various platforms, dashboards and reports.
• Share findings using impactful data visualizations and efficient communication.
• Develop a process to aggregate data and then enable centralization and automated delivery.
• Assess the effectiveness and accuracy of new data sources and data-gathering techniques.
• Develop analysis metrics and new reports to support critical project decisions.
• Provide input on optimal data architecture to support effective data solutions for assigned projects.
• Support work on predictive analytics and data modelling to derive insights about future project decisions that are aimed at improving student performance and success.
• Develop real-time data gathering, analytics and reporting capabilities for assigned CTL focus areas.
• Present findings from research in appropriate forums (including conferences and journal publications).
• Assist with conducting online and face-to-face workshops to disseminate research findings.
• Coordinate the quality assurance processes related to the research projects.
• Assist with the development of relevant survey instruments for the ECP projects.
• Participate in the decision-making processes related to the research project.
• Integrate traditional research and insight with data.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or an advanced diploma/BTech degree/postgraduate certificate on NQF Level 7 or a three-year national diploma on NQF Level 6 in computer sciences, mathematics, statistics, data science or a related degree.
• A minimum of two (2) years relevant work experience, preferably working with large datasets and experimentation. 

Recommendations:

• Relevant post-graduate qualification.
• SAS/ Python /R /SQL proficiency required.
• Expert Excel user with the ability to understand and build complex spreadsheets.

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Duties and Responsibilities:

Quartet duties:

• Perform as first violinist in the Odeion String Quartet (OSQ).
• Provide artistic leadership within the quartet, including annual concert planning.
• Do regular rehearsals and performances, including national and international tours, arts festivals, and professional recordings.

Additional duties include:

• Teach services (limited to 8 hours per week) at the Odeion School of Music (OSM).
• Involvement in community service activities.
• Provide assistance in OSM orchestral productions, marketing, and student recruitment at schools.
• Teach and perform related activities in the Mangaung Strings Project in terms of a partnership agreement with the University.
• Availability and participation in the part-time Free State Symphony Orchestra (FSSO) in a position determined by the FSSO at extra remuneration.
• Management Role: The successful candidate may or may not be appointed as the Head of Department of the Odeion String Quartet, with relevant management responsibilities.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma in Music on NQF level 7.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience of professional chamber music playing.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience of professional playing in a symphony orchestra
• A minimum of five (5) years teaching experience up to advanced levels.

Recommendations:

• Experience of playing as an artistic leader in a string quartet.
• Experience of playing in a principal position in a professional symphony orchestra.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Accept full-time responsibility under the leadership of the Dean as a member of the Faculty management structure (in consultation with the relevant academic departments and academic leadership and management) for the School's academic programmes and research, as well as the service delivery that is unique to the School.
• Establish and maintain the required infrastructure and decision-making structure; responsible for the overarching applicable support functions at the Faculty/University in consultation with  the other Heads of Schools, Dean and Vice Dean.
• Liaise with the relevant authorities regarding the optimal utilisation of service platforms, academic hospitals and the private sector for the School's academic programmes, research and community service in consultation with the other Heads of Schools, Dean and Vice Dean.
• Actively participate in the management of the Faculty of Health Sciences under the leadership of the Dean.
• Lead the strengthening of research, scholarship, reconciliation and social justice as critical foci within the School.
• Further innovation in Teaching and Learning (including technology) that the School is known for.
• Take a leadership role in consultation with the other Heads of Schools, Dean and Vice Dean in national and regional clinical medicine and health care affairs in the interest of the School and its wider community.
• Manage the strategic and day-to-day affairs of the School of Pathology within the Faculty of  Health Sciences under the leadership of the Dean - apply sound leadership and managerial skills. 

Inherent Job requirements:

• Proven academic and research stature and expertise in an academic environment.
• Applicants must already be appointed on the level of a Senior Lecturer of higher within any of the designated departments/units/divisions of the School of Pathology.
• A dynamic status as set out in the UFS Academic Appointment and Promotion Policy (faculty specific criteria), and the appointability at the academic status level as required for the post.

Recommendations:

• Management experience in an academic and/or clinic service department in the faculty and /or academic hospital.
• Experience  in interaction with professional health councils, professional bodies/ management bodies in the public and corporate health environments.
• Must be prepared to continue to render professional services as per current NHLS appointment

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Support student registration procedures.
• Aid in provisional registration processes.
• Record external bursary details.
• Facilitate negotiations for payment arrangements.
• Address inquiries related to accounts.
• Document adjustments and modifications to accounts.
• Manage the collection of fees from registered students.
• Execute refund processing.
• Produce account statements.
• Perform account reconciliation tasks.
• Maintain a log of resolved inquiries.
• Allocate student allowances.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree on NQF level 7 with Accounting.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ relevant working experience related to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems.
• Knowledge of general accounting.
• Knowledge of calculations and mathematics to solve mathematical equations.
• Knowledge of applications and programs to conduct work (MS Office and PeopleSoft).
• Knowledge of business - understanding the functional area and how it impacts.
• Thoroughly understanding operations such as managing files and records.
• Knowledge of problem-solving to develop/evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Knowledge of communication to clearly convey/receive messages (verbal/written).
• Ability to identify, measure, analyse, interpret, and communicate information.
• Experience within the higher education environment.
• Knowledge of university systems, policies, and procedures.
• Member of a or registration at a professional body.

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Duties and responsibilities:

Functional Communication:

• Coordinate internal communication activities on the Qwaqwa Campus.
• Coordinate and arrange photo and video opportunities for news purposes.
• Assist with the distribution of institutional messages to staff and students on the Qwaqwa Campus.
• Provide general guidance to stakeholders regarding internal/external communication.
• Serve on the university’s Reputation Management Forum (RFM) and provide input related to the marketing and communication function on the campus.
• Serve on Crisis Communication Team of the Department of Communication and Marketing (DCM) and coordinate crisis communication on the Qwaqwa Campus.

Content Curation for Communication Platforms:

• Participate in the content Hub of the Department of Communication and Marketing and curate content for the communication platforms according to the assigned portfolio.
• Ensure that content is presented timeously and in a multimedia format to optimise its use on the various communication platforms.

Platform Management:

• Coordinate content on the Qwaqwa Campus pages of the UFS website.
• Coordinate the compilation and distribution of the Ke Eo Taba! Staff newsletter, including writing and editing content.
• Manage diverse communication platforms, e.g., Emails and electronic media to communicate with staff and students.
• Ensure that communication platforms function properly and that feedback mechanisms are provided.
• Measure the success of internal communication at the Qwaqwa Campus and report on finding to the Manager: Internal Communication.

Project Management:

• Coordinate the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s internal stakeholder engagement programme on the Qwaqwa Campus.
• Provide assistance at public events presented on the campus, e.g., open days and graduation ceremonies.
• Build relationships with community leaders (including inviting community leaders to events on the campus).
• Serve as a member of various committees, such as Graduations, Open Day, First-year’s Official Welcoming, and events Management, to source relevant information for the purposes of content creation.

Stakeholder Management:

• Build positive relationships with stakeholders.
• Work closely with the senior leadership of the campus to ensure that news and announcements are communicated to staff.
• Work with colleagues across units to contribute to departmental projects.

Campaigns:

• Collaborate with staff in the Department of Communication and Marketing on the conceptualisation of institutional awareness campaigns.
• Oversee the coordination and roll-out of campaigns on identified platforms on the Qwaqwa Campus.
• Support ad-hoc institutional events arranged by the Department of Communication and Marketing.

Resource Management:

• Coordinate the costs of Qwaqwa Campus integrated marketing and communication projects against the approved budget and in line with organizational policies and guidelines for the Unit for Internal Communication.

Reporting and Benchmarking:

• Monitor engagement on staff and student communication platforms. Analyse and track engagement and feedback, provide regular reports on findings to the Manager: Internal Communication.
• Ensure that research trends in internal communication remain current on relevant topics and report on findings to the Manager: Internal Communication.

Inherent Job requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree or an Advanced Diploma/ B. Tech degree/ Postgraduate Certificate on NQF level 7or a 3-year National Diploma on NQF level 6/ in Communication/ Journalism/Media Studies.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Valid Driver’s Licence.
• Knowledge of journalism and corporate communication.
• Demonstrable knowledge of internal communication reporting using analytical data.
• Demonstrable knowledge of communication planning.
• Work experience in the higher education environment.
• Demonstrable proficiency and experience in writing relevant content for digital and print channels/publications, including design processes (print and electronic).
• Experience in coordinating internal communication platforms in a higher education environment.
• Experience of project management.
• Basic photography skills.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct in vitro and in vivo trials, i.e., laboratory, glasshouse and field scale, to screen putative disease control agents.
• Assist with soybean and sunflower disease surveillance, diagnosis, and identification.
• Facilitate coordination between collaborators on the research project and related research projects.
• Document and report on research activities and findings through progress reporting, popular media and DHET accredited peer-reviewed journals.
• Data analyses and statistical programming, preferably with R & R-Studio, as well as assisting post-graduate students in learning these skills.
• Supervision of post-graduate research (Honours, Masters, and PhD).
• Identify sources of funding and contribute to the process of securing funds for own/group research or scholarly projects.
• Lead and develop internal networks, for example by chairing and participating in departmental and/or university committees or working groups.
• Ensure connectivity and networking with industry and producer partners, for example producing popular articles and contributing to industry meetings.
• Develop links with external contacts such as other educational bodies, employers, and professional bodies to foster collaboration.
• Undertake national/international visits to establish partnerships and develop soft skills.

Minimum Requirements:

• A doctoral degree obtained in the last five years in Plant Pathology with a specialisation in diagnostics, extension, plant disease epidemiology, and/or disease management.
• Applicants must be under the age of 50 years.
• Applicants must hold a valid South African driver’s license or an international driver’s licence accepted in South Africa.
• Must be based at the Bloemfontein campus of the UFS for the duration of the fellowship.
• Must be willing to register with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) or similar.

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Duties and responsibilities:

Provide administrative support to the line manager (HoD), responsible for general office administration and operations, including but not limited to:

• Perform administrative and secretarial duties in the department.
• Receive and direct telephone calls and messages.
• Welcome and direct visitors and students to the appropriate staff members.
• Coordinate delivery of parcels and internal post.
• Distribute all general correspondence to staff via email.
• Administers departmental venue bookings.
• Assists with the recordkeeping of leave applications.
• Handle purchases and orders via the university’s requisition system including ordering and controlling departmental office supplies.
• Make and administer service requests.
• Handle all meeting administration, including arranging meetings, scheduling appointments, managing electronic diaries and take minutes of staff meetings.
• Provide administrate support to all staff as required.

Inherent requirements:

• Grade 12 or national vocational certificate on NQF Level 4.

Recommendations:

• Knowledge of PeopleSoft software.
• Knowledge of OneDrive.
• A minimum of 6 months relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.
• Knowledge of the UFS financial and academic systems.
• Relevant administrative working experience at the UFS.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically MS Outlook, MS Word, and MS Excel.

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Duties and responsibilities:

Marketing and Project Management Support

• Initiate, coordinate, and execute marketing campaigns and events to position the organisation’s brand reputation.
• Conduct internet-based research in the tertiary brand and merchandise environment to ensure brand relevance.
• Assist with surveys and marketing research for the merchandise shops to ensure innovative and trendy products.
• Assist with coordinating and compiling relevant content for the graduation programme.
• Assist with public relations support from DCM for national and international conferences.
• Initiate and coordinate awareness and marketing campaigns, events, and digital advertisements for the merchandise shops to increase sales and visibility.

Brand Administration Management 

• Assist with obtaining quotations from graphic designers, marketing, and media agencies.
• Assist with the placement of advertisements and communication notices on internal and external platforms for institutional campaigns and events.
• Assist with approval or rejection of brand applications from stakeholders via the brand approval workflow channel.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders and suppliers regarding booking and updating of content on the UFS billboards.
• Manage the departmental exhibition marketing material bank and ensure quality control.
• Ensure the consistent application of the UFS visual corporate identity at all institutional events, such as graduation ceremonies, Open Days, inaugural and public lecturers, etc.
• Liaise with different stakeholders and arrange brand information sessions and meetings.
• Assist with the creation of PowerPoint presentations.
• Assist with the implementation and embedding of the UFS narrative and Vision 130 in the institution (including updating the toolkit and brand manuals).
• Assist with updating the UFS Corporate Identity Guidelines.
• Assist with drafting monthly reports on activities in the unit for Reputation, Brand and Marketing Management.
• Maintain the updating and uploading of correct and updated UFS branding information on the UFS SharePoint and other platforms, e.g., UFS Web. 

Marketing and Sales Assistance 

• Assist with the stock-take procedures at the merchandise stores.
• Assist with various front shop duties in the merchandising environment when needed.
• Assist with duties during institutional events of the department on and off campus.

Inherent requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree or an advanced diploma/ BTech degree/ postgraduate certificate on NQF level 7 or a three-year national diploma on NQF level 6 in Corporate and Marketing Communication.
• A minimum of one (1) year of relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Basic graphic design knowledge.
• Experience in the field of brand application in an institutional/corporate/merchandise environment.
• Driver’s license.
• Work experience in the higher education environment
• Proven experience in project management.