Job Description

The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) is a registered private higher education provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of ADvTECH Ltd, listed on the JSE.
The IIE's Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE) is the custodian of academic quality, educational technology, and governance across the institution. It leads academic strategy, compliance, and operational integrity through robust governance structures.
The current ACE is in the process of being repositioned as a Center of Excellence, a hub for academic innovation, staff capacity building, quality assurance, and governance across both the schools and tertiary divisions.
As we reposition ACE, we are excited to invite applications for the role of Accreditation & QA Specialist. Based at the IIE's head office in Sandton, this role will support the Accreditation and Quality Assurance department.
The purpose of the job:
To provide expert support in the implementation of accreditation and quality assurance (QA) processes. This includes ensuring policy and procedural alignment with national and institutional standards, supporting programme development, managing self-evaluation and review processes, and facilitating QA training. The role requires deep technical knowledge of higher education compliance frameworks and regulatory requirements.
Reporting to:
The successful candidate will report to the Head: Accreditation & QA
Main Outputs and Responsibilities for this Position:
Accreditation Standards Alignment and Policy Support

• Review and interpret CHE, SAQA, DHET regulations to ensure institutional alignment
• Support drafting and updating of institutional QA and accreditation policies
• Evaluate programme documents against regulatory criteria
• Provide recommendations to align internal processes with national standards
• Support QA policy dissemination and awareness

Programme Development and QA Input

• Provide technical QA guidance during curriculum and programme design
• Conduct pre-submission reviews of programme documentation
• Assist academic units in meeting accreditation standards in design and rationale
• Maintain documentation on credit values, learning outcomes, and assessment frameworks
• Ensure alignment of programme specifications with SAQA and NQF requirements

Self-Evaluation Reviews and Internal Audit Facilitation

• Coordinate self-evaluation review (SER) processes with academic departments
• Facilitate the compilation and verification of evidence portfolios
• Conduct internal quality checks in preparation for audits and site visits
• Support the institution's audit readiness through checklists, templates, and coaching
• Track and report on review outcomes and improvement recommendations

Training and Capacity Building

• Develop and deliver training sessions on accreditation and QA requirements
• Create toolkits, guidelines, and templates for academic and support staff
• Facilitate QA knowledge-sharing through workshops and forums
• Promote institutional quality culture through professional development initiatives
• Respond to queries and provide one-on-one coaching for programme teams

Programme Review Coordination and SAQA Documentation

• Schedule and coordinate programme reviews in collaboration with academic units
• Maintain current and historical SAQA comparison tables and programme matrices
• Ensure documentation integrity for qualification registration and re-accreditation
• Support the review of qualifications for submission and revision purposes
• Manage archiving and secure access to historical accreditation records

Qualification

• Minimum of a Master's Degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years as a Specialist in QA or Accreditation
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a Higher Education QA

Competencies:

• Accreditation Standards Interpretation

Programme Review and Development Support
Audit Facilitation and Evidence Preparation * QA Training and Resource Development

• Policy and Procedure Alignment
• Analytical Thinking and Accuracy

Quality and Compliance Focus * Communication and Presentation

• Stakeholder Support Orientation
• Planning and Coordination
• Adaptability

Other Special Requirements:
Occasional travel between campuses or the central office may be required.
May be required to work extended hours during peak academic periods.
High tolerance for structured, process-driven work.

Skills Required