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.

Duties and responsibilities

Change Management

• Ensure involvement in the change process by identifying possible stakeholders, risks and/or effects.
• Analyse changing business circumstances and possible interventions to address, for example, legislative changes, risks, and/or control inefficiencies.
• Challenge the status quo by identifying and developing innovative practices when managing change.
• Provide training and support to personnel when dealing with change.
• Implement strategies, policies, systems, and organisational programmes to promote organisational changes and effectiveness.

Operational Implementation

• Enable and facilitate HR recruitment, rewards, retention, employment equity plans, performance development, career development, and succession planning.
• Provide training and/or advice to employees within the department and campus on policies and systems.
• Update and develop new policies.
• Develop and implement new models within the PeopleSoft financial system.
• Enhance operational controls and change working practices to become more effective.
• Provide priorities and operational goals to line managers.
• Responsible for financial reporting.

People Management

• Provide leadership and management to the department, including Governance, Systems, Salary division, General ledger, Accounts Payable and Expense claims.
• Provide expert advice on financial aspects.
• Responsible for Employee Relations:

- Provide advice and become actively involved in addressing certain disciplinary issues within departments in liaison with the employee relations office where applicable or self when not that severe.
- Transfer coaching, mentoring, and counselling skills to line managers and employees to enable them to become better leaders.
- Enable business unit leaders to enter into mentor relationships, training, and growth opportunities.
- Facilitates conflict management.

Strategic Alignment

• Participate in the Finance Management Meetings and strategic planning sessions to obtain a clear understanding of requirements, risks, and possible mitigation actions (short- and long-term) to give inputs and possible strategies.
• Understand current and emerging business strategies and legislation to participate and contribute towards the development of short-, medium-- and long-term strategies.
• Develop new and align current policies to enhance the governance system for the UFS.

Inherent Job Requirements

• Honours degree on NQF Level 8 in Accounting or related field.
• B Acc or BCom on NQF level 7 in Accounting or related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years relevant working experience in accounting and governance, of which at least three (3) years should be in a managerial capacity.

Recommendations

• Three (3) years of relevant experience in higher education.
• Membership of a Professional Accounting Body.
• Completed articles.

Competencies

Key Competencies Required:

• Results oriented.

- The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and work to achieve success.
- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable, and to fulfil obligations.
- The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.

• Strategic thinking.

- The ability to plan work and to follow plans.
- The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
- 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.

Required Documents

Please ensure 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).

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible.

Closing date:
18 February 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 contact 051 401 9737 or email JonesEY@ufs.ac.za. In addition, kindly contact 051 401 9012/ 9329/ 9848 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