Job Description

Job Title
Assistant Director: Investigations Services (post level 7) Job ID: 6327
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations -> Protection Services
Contract Type
Permanent
Occupational Level
Junior Management
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date
23/1/2026
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. 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). Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

Identify and detect actual and perceived threats facing the university through the collection (covert & overt), collation and analysis of security and crime-related intelligence. Develop and maintain an early warning threat detection system to ensure proactive deployment of security countermeasures. Analyse areas of potential risk to the assets, staff and students of the UFS in line with the Threat Detection responsibilities. Develop and ensure implementation of Investigation Strategy, Policy and Protocols. Allocate reported cases or incidents to Investigating Officers and ensure that they are investigated in accordance with the UFS Crime and Incidents Investigation Procedure. Provide support and leadership to the Investigators as and when a need arises. Develop and maintain crime statistics and analysis capacity to inform the relevant stakeholders of

the current situation and to determine crime patterns for effective mitigation.

Manage the resources allocated to the Investigations Unit. Ensure that there is an ongoing engagement with the Investigators through both formal and informal meetings as part of employee engagement. Ensure investigation reports are compiled for each reported case or incident. Establish and maintain relationships with external law enforcement functionaries such as SAPS, SSA,

Community Policing Forums, Municipality and Private Security Companies.

Establish and maintain a database of key Protection Services stakeholders. Represent the UFS at external meetings dealing with safety and security, inclusive of the Community

Policing Forums, Sector Policing and other off campus safety forum meetings.

Develop and implement an off-campus safety and security plan and a security response plan in cooperation with the relevant role players e.g. SAPS, Armed Response security companies etc. Ensure that crime hot spots are identified and sensitise the operational team, staff and students of the threat and report to the relevant role players for the mitigation thereof. Coordinate and facilitate crime awareness campaigns and capacity building sessions for students and staff in consultation with the Department of Communication and Marketing as well as other key stakeholders. Participate or ensure participation of Investigating Officers during building assessments, crime awareness sessions, as well as other important university events such as graduations, registrations etc. Submit budget inputs for the Investigations Unit based on the department's strategic and Annual Performance Plan. Manage budget in allocated entities strictly in accordance with the UFS supply chain management processes. Liaise with the departmental finance office from time to time as and when a need arises. Ensure correct invoices for services rendered by contracted investigations service providers.

Inherent requirements:

Bachelor's degree or an Advanced Diploma/B.Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF Level 7 in Policing, Criminology or Security Management. Valid Grade A, PSIRA registration (attach a copy) or willingness to obtain within six (6) months of appointment. Minimum of four (4) years of management experience related to the duties and responsibilities. Valid driver's license (attach a copy).

Recommendations:

Honours degree /Postgraduate Diploma/Professional Bachelor's degree on NQF Level 8 in Business Management/Administration or Leadership. Experience within law enforcement, especially intelligence environment. Experience within the higher education environment. Knowledge of university systems, policies, procedures. Intelligence and investigations related qualifications (attach).
Competencies

Required competencies:

Results Orientated:

The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success. The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.

o Strategic Thinking:

The ability to deal with several activities at a time. The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.

o Business Acumen:

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

o 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.

o 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:

01 March 2026.

Closing date:

23 January 2026

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 2558 / 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. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: EEA13Report_UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE FINAL SEP 2025.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.