Job Description

Title of Position
Coordinator (Operations & Administration: UVA South Africa Global Office)
Post Number
953A
Faculty/Department
University of the Western Cape -> Arts and Humanities -> Centre for Humanities Research
Type of Position
Fixed Term Contract
Length of Contract Period
5 yrs
Location
Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)
Closing Date
8/12/2025
Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas
COORDINATOR (Operations & Administration: UVA South Africa Global Office)
CENTRE FOR HUMANITIES & RESEARCH (FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES)
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
The Centre for Humanities Research (University of the Western Cape), in partnership with the Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs (University of Virginia, USA)
Type of Position: 5-year Contract (renewable)
Location: University of the Western Cape Iyatsiba Lab / Cape Town, South Africa
The University of Virginia (UVA), based in Virginia, USA, and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) share a longstanding commitment to advancing global scholarship, social justice, and innovation in higher education. UVA and UWC are partnering to establish the UVA South Africa Global Office within UWC's Centre for Humanities Research. This partnership is rooted in a vision of creating meaningful, equitable collaborations that cross borders and disciplines.
The UVA Global Office in South Africa will serve as a hub for academic exchange, research collaboration, student mobility, and alumni engagement, deepening transhemispheric links between Africa and the United States. The UVA South Africa Global Office, housed at UWC's Centre for Humanities Research, represents UVA's first global office in Africa and the second in an emerging network of locations outside the Commonwealth of Virginia. This UVA Global Office provides a South African platform to:
The UVA Global Office in South Africa will serve as a hub for academic exchange, research collaboration, student mobility, and alumni engagement, deepening transhemispheric links between Africa and the United States. The UVA South Africa Global Office, housed at UWC's Centre for Humanities Research, represents UVA's first global office in Africa and the second in an emerging network of locations outside the Commonwealth of Virginia. This UVA Global Office provides a South African platform to: * Foster transformative, collaborative research;

• Expand mutual learning opportunities;
• Engage and support UVA alumni communities across the region;
• Amplify UVA's profile in South Africa for recruiting and admissions.

The Administrator (Coordinator: Operations & Administration) supports the day-to-day operations of the UVA South Africa Global Office, ensuring efficient administration, logistics, and program delivery. The Administrator (Coordinator) will work closely with and report to the Associate Professor (Senior Manager & Regional Representative), providing administrative, financial, and stakeholder coordination support.
This role is essential to the smooth functioning of the office, enabling the Associate Professor (Senior Manager) to focus on strategic leadership and external engagement.
Reporting to the Associate Professor (Senior Manager & Regional Representative): UVA South Africa Global Office, the successful applicant will be responsible for:
1. Office Operations & Logistics

• Manage daily office administration, scheduling, correspondence, and filing systems.
• Coordinate logistics for events, workshops, delegations, and visits.
• Serve as first point of contact for faculty, students, alumni, and visitors.

2. Program & Academic Support

• Support student mobility, faculty exchanges, and research collaborations.
• Assist with Global Classroom and virtual exchange program logistics.
• Track participation and maintain program records for reporting.

3. Financial & Reporting Support

• Assist with budgeting, procurement, and expense management.
• Maintain accurate financial and administrative records.
• Support preparation of reports for UVA, UWC, and funders.

4. Communications & Outreach

• Draft correspondence, reports, and promotional content.
• Maintain stakeholder databases, contact lists, and mailing lists.

Provide administrative support for alumni, outreach, and community engagement events
Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification at NQF 7) in administration, management, international relations, or a relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant administrative/project coordination experience, preferably in higher education or international programs.
• Strong IT and digital collaboration skills (MS Office, databases, project management tools).
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English.
• Proficiency in Afrikaans and/or isiXhosa.

Added Advantage:

• Working experience in the Higher Education or NGO sector.
• Registered for a NQF Level 8 degree in a relevant field.

Required Competencies: (skills, knowledge, and behavioural attributes)

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Detail orientation with accuracy in record-keeping.
• Professional interpersonal skills for engaging stakeholders.
• Problem-solving and adaptability in dynamic settings.
• Team orientation and collaborative spirit.

Closing Date: 8 December 2025
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.
To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job link below or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/9763/9708/3551/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za.
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