Purpose

The main purpose of this position is to promote global excellence and stature by providing strategic and operational leadership and management for the Directorate of Student Affairs, which consists of Student Life and Communities, Student Governance, Student Health and Wellness, Sports and Recreation, and Student Life and Development. Further responsibilities include people management, budget and financial management and health and safety management.

Minimum Requirements 

Director (P05)

• A master’s degree in a relevant discipline
• 10 years related experience in a Student Affairs environment and governance, of which the last five years have been in a senior leadership role, 
• Demonstrable general dynamic leadership and management abilities
• Familiarity with the higher education legislative environment and transformation imperatives
• Demonstrable ability in conceptualising, planning and implementation of student development programmes and initiatives
• Has demonstrated a track record of managing the Executive Student Affairs portfolio and running a unit of a reasonable size
• Has a successful record of leadership and teamwork
• Has the ability to mobilize and inspire others towards shared goals
• Understands the operations and affairs of a university
• Think strategically and operationalise this into plans and
• Plan and manage budgets
• Computer literate (MS Office Suite)

Executive Director (P04)

• A Doctorate degree in a relevant discipline
• 10 years' related experience in a Student Affairs environment and governance, of which the last five years have been in a senior leadership role
• Demonstrable general dynamic leadership and management abilities
• Familiarity with the higher education legislative environment and transformation imperatives
• Demonstrable ability in conceptualising, planning and implementation of student development programmes and initiatives
• Has demonstrated a track record in managing Student Affairs or related portfolio and running a unit of a reasonable size
• Has a successful record of leadership and teamwork
• Has the ability to mobilise and inspire others towards shared goals
• Understands the operations and affairs of a university
• Think strategically and operationalise this into plans and
• Plan and manage budgets
• Computer literate (MS Office Suite)

 Dean (P04)

• A Doctorate degree in a relevant discipline
• 10 years' related experience in a Student Affairs or related environment and governance, of which the last five years have been in a senior leadership role
• An academic track record and CV commensurate with that of a full professor
• Demonstrable general dynamic leadership and management abilities
• Familiarity with the higher education legislative environment and transformation imperatives
• Demonstrable ability in conceptualising, planning and implementation of student development programmes and initiatives
• Has demonstrated a track record in managing Student Affairs or related portfolio and running a unit of a reasonable size
• Has a successful record of leadership and teamwork
• Has the ability to mobilise and inspire others towards shared goals
• Understands the operations and affairs of a university
• Think strategically and operationalise this into plans and
• Plan and manage budgets
• Computer literate (MS Office Suite)

Duties

1. Strategy Development and Execution

• Actively support the Vice-Chancellor and Principal in the achievement of the objectives related to the academic project at SPU
• Review and update the SPU student affairs strategy and business plans in terms of:
• Student Governance;
• Living and Learning Communities.
• Student Health and Wellness.
• Sports and Recreation.
• Promotion of student development and leadership.
• Management of student bodies and organisation’s and,
• The promotion of student life and of a learning culture
• Oversee that all the Directorate's operations are in line and contribute towards the realisation of the University strategy
• Participate in the continuous review of the University strategy to align the Division’s plans with the overall University strategy
• Embed an institutional and performance culture that supports the implementation of the SPU mission, vision, values and strategic priorities
• Drive the induction of all new and current Student Affairs staff on:
• SPU vision, mission, values and strategic priorities,
• Strategic priorities of the department

 2. Student Affairs: Operations Management

 Student Governance

• Develop and implement proper student governance systems that comply with the required regulatory framework
• Develop and implement development initiatives that comply with the required regulatory framework

 Residence Management

• Develop annual objectives for residence management
• Compile an annual residence placement plan
• Update on a regular basis the name list of residents and inform the necessary stakeholders like Finance, Student Financial Aid, about changes
• Plan annual maintenance schedule, in consultation with Infrastructure Planning and Maintenance
• Plan and oversee the full utilisation of the Sol Plaatje University residences to ensure full occupancy throughout the academic year
• Review and improve quality standards to meet the highest standards
• Provide adequate and appropriate support to resident students from relevant environments to maximize academic performance of students

 Sports Management

• Provide leadership for the sound and effective administration of sports activities
• Provide overall leadership in the coordination and direction of sports and recreation programmes
• Promote sports participation among students
• Drive the affiliations of national and provincial federations
• Drive and deliver holistic student development
• Manage the recruitment of students who are exceptional in sport with the registrar’s office
• Liaise with national and provincial sport and recreation structures and federations
• Represent the Sport and Recreation Directorate in negotiating sponsorship deals
• Manage activities involved towards attracting revenue for sports programs and any additional source of funding
• Oversee the development and implementation of capacity building program for sports administrators, coaches and technical officials

 Student Health and Counselling

• Develop annual objectives for student health and counselling services
• Develop an emergency medical care system
• Identify priorities, direct planning and design theory-based efforts for health-promoting programs (courses, workshops etc.)
• Oversee and ensure the development of a comprehensive service rendering in terms of health and wellness provisioning to university students
• Direct and co-ordinate health promotion outreach services
• Provide extended personal counselling, study counselling and social support programme
• Development of marketing and communications material

 Diversity, Student Life and Development

• Develop annual objectives for diversity, student life and development
• Do regular climate surveys amongst the student population, in order to gauge climate and organisational culture issues
• Develop and implement a change management strategy,
  

3. Policy and Procedure Development

• Provide input into the review of current policies and procedures and the development of new policies and procedures where necessary
• Provide continuous feedback to line management and staff on implementation practices related to policies and procedures

 4. Quality Assurance and Risk Management

 Quality Assurance

• Implementation of the quality assurance standards/ measures to meet both internally set standards and the requirements of external bodies

 Risk management

• Provide risk reporting
• Implement plans for identified risks
• Oversee the identification and avoidance of all risk elements in the Directorate's activities 
  

5. Safety, Health and Environmental Management

• Ensure compliance with SHE policies and procedures

6. Resource Management: Human Resources

• Lead, manage and develop direct reports
• Review structures for their appropriateness to assist the Student Affairs department in achieving its strategic priorities
• Develop the Department's workforce plans together with HR and Finance to ensure adequate resource planning, budgeted and aligned to transformation targets
• Provide oversight into the recruitment and selection process for direct reports
• Support the achievement of equity targets and the transformation of the institutional culture
• Oversee the induction and probation of all new staff
• Drive performance contracts and regular reviews for all staff
• Provide oversight in the training of all staff on performance management processes and system
• Implement performance contracts for all staff and ensure regular reviews
• Drive the staff development conversations and development plans
• Develop a training budget for training needs
• Drive and promote sound employment relations
• Human resource administration
• Manage staff leave as per SPU policy
• Sign off on relevant documentation needed

7. Resource Management: Budget and Finance

• Develop the Department's Budget and provide sound financial management
• Prepare and report on:
  • Annual staffing and operating budget and capex
• Manage expenditure according to the approved annual budget
• Asset management
  

8. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Drive the effective implementation of reporting systems
• Monitor organisational health
• indicators, identify problem/concern areas and communicate to relevant stakeholders
• Identify trends and issues in Portfolio Areas and communicate to relevant stakeholders
• Develop relevant operational and strategic reports as and when required
• Research and implement best practices
• Prepare and submit any reports or data as required by legislation and/or Institutional Statutes

Enquiries can be made via email at [email protected]

Assumption of duties: As mutually agreed to upon acceptance of the appointment. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. This position may be subjected to assessments.

Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Note: Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is dedicated to meeting its Employment Equity targets.