Programme Coordinator Contract appointment: 5 years)

Organizational Unit

University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa

Contract Type

Contract

Occupational Level

Temporary

Location

Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date

31/10/2026

Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PERMANENT ACADEMIC STAFF WITHIN DiMTEC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.
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).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide academic programme leadership and governance, including strategic planning, programme performance monitoring, resource planning and reporting.
• Manage academic programme operations, enrolment planning, student advising, academic progression and student success initiatives.
• Lead curriculum development, programme reviews and continuous improvement to ensure academic relevance and quality.
• Coordinate quality assurance, programme accreditation and compliance with University, Faculty and professional body requirements.
• Engage with academic staff, students, industry partners and other stakeholders to strengthen programme relevance and graduate employability.
• Coordinate programme marketing, student recruitment and initiatives to support sustainable enrolment.
• Maintain accurate programme documentation, performance data and governance reports to support informed decision-making and effective programme management.

Inherent requirements:

• PhD on NQF Level 10 in Disaster Management or closely related field
• A full-time, permanent member of the academic staff of DiMTEC at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Recommendations:

• Good management skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to function with ease in the university's richly diverse working environment.
• Strategic thinking.
• Good organisational skills and administrative abilities.

Competencies

Required competencies:

• Results Orientated:
• The ability to stick with tasks, not give up, and overcome obstacles in completing one's task.
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

• Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems

• Business Acumen:

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

• Leading:

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.

• Building Coalitions:

• The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
• The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption of duties:

01 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter

Closing date:

31 October 2026

Allowance:

An allowance is payable, which is calculated according to a transparent formula approved by the relevant decision-making structures of the UFS. The value of the allowance is available on request.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact me at 051 401 7659 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. 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.

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.