Job Description

Title of Position
Administrative Officer : RPL
Post Number
8020486
Faculty/Department
University of the Western Cape -> Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic -> Directorate of Teaching, Learning & Student Success (DTLSS)
Type of Position
Permanent - Full Time
Length of Contract Period
Location
Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)
Closing Date
12/9/2025
Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) Recognition of Prior Learning Unit formerly known as the Division of Lifelong Learning has been a pioneer in policy development, practice, and assessment of RPL within South Africa's higher education landscape for over two decades. RPL is an essential part of the admissions policy at UWC and finds expression in a range of services to promote, support, and endorse mature students seeking alternative or flexible pathway access into higher education programmes at the university.
The unit's work directly impacts,

• Higher education access
• Educational transformation
• Navigation of the NQF system
• The promotion of lifelong learning within the higher education sector

This directly impacts the community of the Western Cape and surrounding areas as the RPL programme promotes access to education, career growth, and the kind of development that has a ripple effect that exceeds far beyond the applicant. The impact of RPL implementation and access to education opens opportunities for future generations, gearing communities to dream boldly and develop a positive attitude towards knowledge creation, self-investment, career growth, and progression.
The RPL Unit seeks to appoint an Administrative Officer with Key Performance Areas including the following:

• To provide frontline information and advising services to members of the public who seek guidance on whether and how they might apply for admission to UWC via the RPL route
• To provide mentoring and advising services to RPL candidates as they prepare their Learning Portfolios for submission and assessment
• To provide core administration and information services for the RPL programme
• To ensure the administrative quality, effectiveness and delivery of RPL programmes and services at UWC
• To provide assistance to the programme officer and RPL Unit Head of Office as and when required for all RPL related tasks
• Work coherently with all Faculty administrators to ensure that RPL related services are delivered efficiently
• Participate in all planning, review and operational meetings of the RPL team.

Minimum Requirements

• A Senior Certificate (grade 12)
• At least 3 years relevant experience in a higher education institution
• Relevant RPL practice and/or advising experience
• Knowledge of RPL policy and Higher education qualifications sub-framework documents

Competencies required:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• The ability to collaborate with various stakeholders
• Planning and organizing skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Intermediate to expert user of computer office applications
• Good writing and minute-taking skills
• High level of stress tolerance

In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and include anything else you deem exceptional and outstanding to be considered by the selection panel. In addition, please attach a cover letter motivating your suitability, a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details of three referees, and your highest qualification to your online profile.
DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University's commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.

Skills Required