Senior Assistant Officer post level 12) Contract appointment: 1 year)

Organizational Unit University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Department Sustainable Food Systems and Development Contract Type Contract Occupational Level Semi-Skilled Location Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date 27/7/2026 Description KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive administrative, financial, academic, and operational support to the ARC/DRD/DOA Chair, ensuring the efficient functioning of the office and compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Coordinate office operations, stakeholder engagement, meetings, events, travel arrangements, communication, and administrative support for staff, students, and external partners.
• Provide academic and financial administration, including support with bursaries, procurement, budgeting, financial reporting, expenditure tracking, grant administration, and compliance with financial controls.
• Coordinate human resource administration, contract processes, records management, asset and facilities administration, and departmental logistics.
• Support governance, audit, reporting, and compliance activities by maintaining accurate records and ensuring adherence to institutional policies and administrative requirements.
• Perform ad hoc administrative and operational duties in support of the Chair and departmental activities.

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 Office/Business Management, Administration, Financial Management or a related field.
• Minimum of one (1)year’s relevant working experience in office administration, financial administration or operational support.

Recommendations:

• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience within the higher-education environment.
• Knowledge of the UFS systems (Peoplesoft, the general ledger, policies and procedures)

Competencies Required competencies:

• Results Orientated:
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

• Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

• Leading:

• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building Coalitions:

• The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties:

As soon as possible.

Closing date:

27 July 2026

Salary:

The basic salary is from R257 274.00 – R330 903.00 per annum, depending on the budget available for the position, relevant work experience and qualifications.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 7659 or email SejanamaneP@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979 / 9813 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.

ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.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.