Recruitment Vacancies at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide leadership and allocate the necessary resources to the Housing and Residence Affairs Department, ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives of the University.
• Continuously revise and adjust the HRA Master Plan to ensure planning and execution in cooperation with University Estates. This includes the HRA’s Asset Life Cycle Management.
• Lead the development and implementation of appropriate policies, protocols, guidelines, and strategies regarding the provision of a quality living and learning student residence system in line with the University's goals.
• Conceptualize the administrative processes, structures, technology, and systems needed to support the department's service provision.
• Assume responsibility for all on- and off-campus accommodation policies and accreditation protocols, ensuring that the execution of services to students adheres to DHET policies, quality frameworks, and standards.
• Assume responsibility for adherence to all related compliance aspects, including placement practices and guidelines, insourcing and outsourcing plans, the Risk Register, health and safety compliance of residences, external audits on the quality of cleaning services, etc.
• Manage the department’s budget sustainability to ensure HRA adheres to UFS budgetary guidelines.
• Ensure the establishment and negotiation of realistic service levels and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage and coordinate all staff-related functions.
• Champion and support the transformation of the University, driving transformation processes and initiatives within the department.
• Ensure, through the placement policy, the enhancement of the diversity and social cohesion objectives of the institution.
• Develop the transport strategy for students.
• Oversee the catering strategy for students.
• Oversee the complaints desk that serves service providers as well as students.
• Participate in and chair important institutional committees.

Inherent Job Requirements

• A Master’s degree on NQF Level 9. 
• A minimum of eight years' relevant experience in areas indicated in the duties and responsibilities, of which five 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

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sound knowledge of business drivers and trends and environmental factors to influence and shape the departmental strategy.
• Experience in staff management and leadership.
• A firm understanding of the policies and procedures of the University and higher education. 
• Knowledge of the off-campus accommodation requirements.
• A firm understanding of the challenges in the higher-education sector in South Africa.
• Knowledge of maintenance (building), housekeeping, transport and catering services.
• The ability to operate confidently and sensitively across cultural and other divides.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Oversee the scheduling and functioning and of all basic nursing skills in the laboratory and the high-tech simulation nursing laboratory for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Prepare students for simulation through annual orientation and by communicating the simulation outcomes and instructions.
• Design, develop, implement, and evaluate simulation scenarios, simulated learning activities and educational materials for all nursing courses in collaboration with nursing staff and other users of the simulation laboratory.
• Maintain and operate the simulation laboratory to include troubleshooting and collaborating with information technology personnel.
• Ensure supervision of students in the lab, maintaining safe practices and abiding by all established policies and procedures for the laboratory.
• Contribute to the evaluation of students during skills and simulation activities as well as on other occasions by request.
• Responsible for assisting with data collection for scholarly work related to simulation and technology in teaching and learning.
• Provide simulation training and practice for lecturers and new staff members where necessary.
• Administration functions regarding management of equipment, stock, statistics, research documentation, maintenance and reporting breakages.
• Ensure that all equipment is maintained in good working order.
• Provide feedback to students during simulation debriefing.
• Provide remedial psychomotor and cognitive support to students referred by lecturers.
• Conducts nursing skills demonstrations as requested by lecturers in the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
• Attend meetings, in-services, and other nursing school events as scheduled.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of supplies, linen and equipment for each laboratory and foster use of same in an economically responsible manner.
• Assist with compiling policies and guidelines for simulation and assure fulfilment of the standards of the South African Nursing Council (SANC).
• Document and keep records of all simulation activities including but not limited to participation by student nurses, lecturers, preceptors, hospital staff and recordings of simulation events.
• Maintain a policies and procedures manual for the laboratory.
• Maintain supervised scheduled laboratory hours as necessary to serve day, evening, and weekend student schedules.
• Assist with pre-and post-simulation activities.
• Ensure the tidiness of the simulation laboratory.
• Provide inputs regarding the acquisition of teaching technology and simulation tools for budget purposes and liaise with suppliers.
• Utilize research and literature findings to integrate best practices into the laboratory instruction.
• Manage simulation footage in a confidential and safe manner.
• Order stock and consumables according to needs.

Inherent Job requirements:

• A Professional Bachelor’s degree on NQF Level 8 or bachelor’s degree on NQF Level 7 or Diploma on NQF Level 6 in Nursing.
• Postgraduate qualification in any of the following specialities: Emergency Care /Critical Care Nursing/ Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment, Treatment and Care/ Advanced Medical and Surgical Nursing Science.
• Postgraduate qualification in Nursing Education.
• Current Professional registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Nurse (General, Community, Psychiatric) and Midwifery
• A qualification in Simulation. 
• A minimum of two (2) years’ working experience in a Simulation laboratory.
• A minimum of five (5) years' experience in nursing practice (post-community service).
• A qualification in Simulation. 
• A minimum of one two (2) years' relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities in a higher education environment.

Recommendations:

• A master's degree on NQF Level 9 in Nursing Science.
• Experience with simulation as a teaching and learning strategy in nursing.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct innovative research in the following areas: Pharmacology research, ethnopharmacology, analytical pharmacology drug discovery and development as well as assist in teaching and training of Pharmacology postgraduate students and participate in all departmental academic programs and activities.
• Author/co-author at least three (3) publications outputs per year in the form of DHET– accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.
• Initiate projects and seek funding for them
• Register and reside as postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research

Eligibility requirements:

• Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State. 
• Graduated with a PhD degree in a relevant discipline within the last five years.
• Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
• Successful applicants must be able to relocate to the UFS for the duration of the fellowship. This is a residential fellowship: the successful applicant is required to spend 100% of her/his postdoctoral period at the UFS.

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Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application. 

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

Duties and responsibilities:

Research Integrity

• Foster a research environment that encourages responsible conduct of research.
• Investigate allegations of research misconduct and questionable research practices.
• Support Research Integrity to implement, raise awareness and upskill the university in matters related to research misconduct and questionable research practices.
• Identify, develop and implement policies related to research integrity.
• Ensure compliance with regulations for handling and reporting research misconduct.
• Receive and evaluate allegations of research misconduct.
• Manage inquiries and investigations as needed.
• Create a database to monitor and report on allegations of misconduct to relevant role players.
• Advocate awareness of research misconduct and questionable research practices and create strategies for identifying, managing and avoiding such practices.
• Provide training regarding Research Integrity issues.
• Service and support of high-level institutional committees.
• Manage the Policy environment (including revision and implementation).
• Run and support processes related to investigations and/or enquiry General landscape of research management.
• Support research ethics and/or integrity norms and standards.
• Support and manage informal enquire and special investigations committees.

Data Analysis

• Utilise statistical analysis and data visualisation.
• Extract meaningful insights to inform decision-making.
• Manage databases, troubleshoot issues and optimize performance.
• Develop and maintain data collection systems.
• Generate reports based חס analysed data.
• Presents findings to aid decision-making.
• Manage day-to-day research data sets and reports.
• Develop and undertake data quality checks and merge with other datasets חס the server.
• Run data quality checks and liaise with sites regarding data quality and errors.

Competencies

Inherent requirements:

• Honours degree on NQF Level 8 (or equivalent) in either Administrative Law, Bioethics, Applied Ethics background Management Studies, Higher Education Studies or Project Management.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• At least 3 years in research management.
• Recognition as a research management professional will be an advantage.
• Research ethics or research integrity at a mid- to senior level, with evidence of having supported or engaged in processes of enquiry or investigation in a Higher Education or Research related space.
• Experience in data analysis.
• Good knowledge of Scival and/or other research databases
• Excellent Excel knowledge and skills

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Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare and present undergraduate modules in Forensic Science.
• Conduct research in the field of Forensic Science focusing on one of the fields of forensic science OTHER THAN biological or chemical analysis. Possible focus areas include, but are not limited to, ballistics, fingerprint analysis, impression evidence, questioned documents, and trace evidence.
• Provide study guidance and research supervision to postgraduate students.
• Publish papers in accredited national and international academic journals.
• Contribute toward general administrative duties in the department and curriculum development.
• Participate in engaged scholarship with stakeholders in the forensic field.

Inherent Job Requirements:

Lecturer

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Forensic Science, or a closely related field (for a permanent appointment);

Or

• A Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in Forensic Science, or a closely related field (contract appointment: five years during which a PhD on NQF Level 10 in Forensic Science or closely related field MUST be obtained to be converted to a permanent position).
• Proven record of research and publications in peer reviewed journals in the field of Forensic Science. Alternatively, a record of substantial service in a forensic environment that includes extensive experience of compiling reports based on forensic analysis.
• Proven experience in the delivery of papers and presentations at scholarly conferences, or equivalent professional activities.
• A good academic record.

Recommendations:

• Proven experience in supervision of graduated master’s degree students.
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research in a specific area of scholarship in Forensic Science.
• Demonstrated potential for obtaining an NRF rating.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Capture, manage, and process all departmental marks on Gradebook.
• Coordinate the department’s Learning Facilitators.  
• This includes, but is not limited to, the recruitment and selection of learning facilitators for the first, second, and third-year tutorial program.
• Coordinate the department’s third-year seminars and manage registration.
• Plan and coordinate the availability of venues for tests and lectures.
• Manage deadlines relating to academic staff and learning facilitators.
• Liaise with students, academics and external stakeholders.
• Provide academic advice to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Conduct administrative duties relating to the department’s external review.
• Manage the departmental web page.
• Manage modules on Blackboard.  This includes, but is not limited to, posting notices, editing, and setting up online assessments.
• Handle public relations within the department.
• Manage profiles of the English Department on- and off-campus (web page, Facebook, and print media).
• Coordinate, plan and minute meetings.
• Administer electronic archiving.
• Execute data capturing, data manipulation, and word processing.
• Perform general administrative duties such as photocopying and scanning of documents.

Inherent requirements:

• Grade 12 or national vocational certificate on NQF Level 4.
• Minimum one (1)  year’s relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• BA -degree on NQF Level 7 with English modules up to third-year level.
• Experience within the higher education environment.
• Knowledge of- and experience with university systems [e.g. PeopleSoft or similar programme and its functions (PS Student, PS Financials, PS Human Resources, Requisitioning, etc.), Gradebook, policies, and procedures]. 
• Valid driver's license.
• Proficiency with Gradebook or similar system.
• Lecturing/tutoring/facilitating experience in English.

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Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application. 

• 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 license (if applicable).

Duties and responsibilities:

• To implement, manage, supervise, evaluate and develop the LLB programme following the LLB academic standards and the University of the Free State (UFS) standards.
• Ensure the application of the quality assurance framework to the LLB programme and assume responsibility for the academic quality of the programme
• Ensure that the General Rules and Regulations of the University and rules related to the LLB programme are adhered to, updated where needed and communicated to all staff in the Faculty of Law.
• Ensure that the activities and operational plan of the LLB programme are undertaken following the University's governance, policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Take responsibility with the Vice-Dean (Learning & Teaching) to develop and implement the strategic mission of the faculty within the broader University context, focusing on teaching and learning, innovation and digitalisation.
• Take responsibility with the Vice-Dean (Learning & Teaching) to lead the faculty's Teaching and Learning (T&L) portfolio by guiding T&L policies, teaching approaches, digitalisation, and innovation in the field to ensure the smooth running of all T&L activities.
• Provide academic advice regarding academic inquiries, amendments of rulebooks, schedules, timetables, etc.
• Continuously look for new T&L needs from students, employers and other stakeholders.
• Participate in student feedback mechanisms and complaints and appeals procedures as required.
• Take responsibility with the Faculty Manager of Law to manage the academic administration associated with the LLB programme within the Faculty of Law.
• Attend all formal and informal UFS meetings about teaching and learning, innovation, and digitalisation with the Vice-Dean (Learning & Teaching).
• Chair the Teaching and Learning Committee of the Faculty.
• Participate in committees at the Faculty and University level.

Inherent requirements:

• Full-time permanent academic staff member of the Faculty of Law.
• A Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 within any related discipline of Law. 

Recommendations:

• Experience in academic leadership or management.
• Experience in the leadership of Teaching and Learning, such as curriculum development, design and renewal, and assessment.
• A thorough understanding of the rules and policy, governance and regulatory frameworks within which academic programmes are offered within the Faculty of Law and the UFS.
• A deep understanding of all UFS policies and rules related to T&L, evident in departmental policies developed and successful implementation.
• An understanding of the HEQSF, SAQA, and DHET rules and requirements and the development of new qualifications.
• Evidence of SoTL or Teaching Fellowship.
• Knowledgeable about the functioning of committees at the Faculty and University level.
• Analytical problem-solving skills with impeccable attention to detail.
• Evidence of inter-faculty and inter-department collaborations.
• The ability to build relationships with and between faculty and UFS staff.
• Ability to set an overall strategy and drive process improvement.
• A deep understanding of national and international trends in current, new, and emerging modalities of improving Teaching and Learning in SET and higher education.
• Strong administrative, report writing and communication skills

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Responsible for the office administration of the Director; Systems and Project Management. 
• Ensure efficient communication to, from and between project team members.
• Provide recommendations to the Project and team. 

Inherent requirements:

• A Grade 12 or National Vocational Certificate on NQF level 4.
• A minimum of one (1) year relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Three (3) years’ relevant experience in office administration.
• Knowledge of Peoplesesoft Financials.