Director (P05)/Executive Director (P04)/Dean (P04): Student Affairs (1 Position) at Sol Plaatje University

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

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


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,


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


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


Safety, Health and Environmental Management


Ensure compliance with SHE policies and procedures


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


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


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


Closing Date 01 April 2026