Job Description

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.

Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application.

• A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter.
• Copies of qualifications (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications).
• A copy of your identity document (ID or passport in the case of foreign nationals).
• Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if applicable).
• A copy of your driver's license (if applicable).
• Confirmation of employment from current employer / last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).

Duties and responsibilities:
People Management

• Collaborate closely with the team to ensure the successful completion of projects.
• Prioritise work to resolve technical emergencies as they occur.
• Ensure that the division members have sufficient information to perform their duties.
• Monitor the progress of the work of staff in the unit.
• Mentor/coach employees in the unit.
• Manage performance management discussions and plans of staff in the unit.
• Encourage staff to have conducive performance plans and support staff to have necessary resources to address performance issues and recognise staff for contributions to DTI and success achieved.
• Foster a culture that values sharing successes and failures to encourage individual and group development through educated risk-taking.
• Approve leave requests.
• Assist in recruiting, hiring, and coordinating the training of new staff members.
• Establish work schedules and assignments for staff according to workload, space and equipment availability.
• Identify training opportunities for future thought leaders to attend conferences in areas where thought leadership development is required (future perspective).
• Define, implement and enable a sustainable implementation succession plan and knowledge retention.

Software Development and Management

• Implement the complete software development lifecycle (SDLC) process, ensuring efficient project management, effective communication, and timely execution of development tasks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, design solutions, develop software, conduct testing and manage deployment for projects.
• Design test cases based on requirements and functional specifications.
• Resolve any business-related issues during the development life cycle.
• Document software defects (bug tracking system).
• Participate in product design reviews, designs, schedules, or problems.
• Participate in the process of assessing user requirements.
• Implement application configuration requests and requirements.
• Log operational changes for systems to be placed into production.
• Analyse business requirements with the help of the development manager.
• Build websites with widgets.
• Implement HTML, CSS and JavaScript to improve websites and applications according to branding guidelines.
• Match specific application functionality to business requirements.
• Test systems that the development team has developed.
• Maintain documentation of test results.
• Analyse test results.
• Test system modifications or implementation.
• Recommend improvements in terms of functionality and usability.
• Configure and optimise web applications and custom systems.
• Responsible for application implementation, which includes system and web application evaluation and implementation.

Strategic Support

• Participate in management and strategic meeting sessions to get a clear understanding of business requirements.
• Identify, communicate and log possible impacts, risks and issues.
• Receive and analyse client requirements.
• Report any delays, risks to requests and projects to HOD.
• Liaise with HOD regarding coordination of projects.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure that the quality management system conforms to the requirements of the required international standards.
• Ensure DTI processes are followed.
• Initiate governance for all development and application configurations if approval is required.
• Ensure that the develop application complies with business requirements.

Quality Assurance

• Review testing of team members to ensure all requirements were tested.
• Implement validation and quality checks to ensure accuracy and integrity.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope.

Professional Development

• Fulfill all responsibilities regarding performance management.
• Remain competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or course.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or an Advanced Diploma/B.Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF level 7.
• A minimum of four (4) years' relevant working experience related to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Honours degree/Postgraduate Diploma on NQF level 8.
• Experience within the higher education environment.
• Knowledge of university systems, policies, procedures.
• Member of a or registration at a professional body

Competencies

Required competencies:

• Results-oriented:

- The ability to stick with tasks, not give up, and overcome obstacles in completing one's task.
- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable, and to fulfil obligations.

• Strategic thinking:

- The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.
- The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen:

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

• Leading:

- The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building coalitions:

- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
- The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible.

Closing date:
7 January 2024.

Salary:
The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:
For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2979 or email JardineS@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9810 / 9813 / 9814 / 9848/ 7659 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. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at:
EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf

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.

Additional Information

University of the Free State