Job Description

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Duties and responsibilities:
Functional Communication:

• Coordinate internal communication activities on the Qwaqwa Campus.
• Coordinate and arrange photo and video opportunities for news purposes.
• Assist with the distribution of institutional messages to staff and students on the Qwaqwa Campus.
• Provide general guidance to stakeholders regarding internal/external communication.
• Serve on the university's Reputation Management Forum (RFM) and provide input related to the marketing and communication function on the campus.
• Serve on Crisis Communication Team of the Department of Communication and Marketing (DCM) and coordinate crisis communication on the Qwaqwa Campus.

Content Curation for Communication Platforms:

• Participate in the content Hub of the Department of Communication and Marketing and curate content for the communication platforms according to the assigned portfolio.
• Ensure that content is presented timeously and in a multimedia format to optimise its use on the various communication platforms.

Platform Management:

• Coordinate content on the Qwaqwa Campus pages of the UFS website.
• Coordinate the compilation and distribution of the Ke Eo Taba! Staff newsletter, including writing and editing content.
• Manage diverse communication platforms, e.g., Emails and electronic media to communicate with staff and students.
• Ensure that communication platforms function properly and that feedback mechanisms are provided.
• Measure the success of internal communication at the Qwaqwa Campus and report on finding to the Manager: Internal Communication.

Project Management:

• Coordinate the Vice-Chancellor and Principal's internal stakeholder engagement programme on the Qwaqwa Campus.
• Provide assistance at public events presented on the campus, e.g., open days and graduation ceremonies.
• Build relationships with community leaders (including inviting community leaders to events on the campus).
• Serve as a member of various committees, such as Graduations, Open Day, First-year's Official Welcoming, and events Management, to source relevant information for the purposes of content creation.

Stakeholder Management:

• Build positive relationships with stakeholders.
• Work closely with the senior leadership of the campus to ensure that news and announcements are communicated to staff.
• Work with colleagues across units to contribute to departmental projects.

Campaigns:

• Collaborate with staff in the Department of Communication and Marketing on the conceptualisation of institutional awareness campaigns.
• Oversee the coordination and roll-out of campaigns on identified platforms on the Qwaqwa Campus.
• Support ad-hoc institutional events arranged by the Department of Communication and Marketing.

Resource Management:

• Coordinate the costs of Qwaqwa Campus integrated marketing and communication projects against the approved budget and in line with organizational policies and guidelines for the Unit for Internal Communication.

Reporting and Benchmarking:

• Monitor engagement on staff and student communication platforms. Analyse and track engagement and feedback, provide regular reports on findings to the Manager: Internal Communication.
• Ensure that research trends in internal communication remain current on relevant topics and report on findings to the Manager: Internal Communication.

Inherent Job requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree or an Advanced Diploma/ B. Tech degree/ Postgraduate Certificate on NQF level 7or a 3-year National Diploma on NQF level 6/ in Communication/ Journalism/Media Studies.
• A minimum of two (2) years' relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Valid Driver's Licence.
• Knowledge of journalism and corporate communication.
• Demonstrable knowledge of internal communication reporting using analytical data.
• Demonstrable knowledge of communication planning.
• Work experience in the higher education environment.
• Demonstrable proficiency and experience in writing relevant content for digital and print channels/publications, including design processes (print and electronic).
• Experience in coordinating internal communication platforms in a higher education environment.
• Experience of project management.
• Basic photography skills.

Competencies

Key Competencies required:

• Results oriented:

- 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 deal with several activities at a time.
- The ability to plan work and to follow plans.

• Business Acumen:

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

• Leading:

- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building coalitions:

- The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.
- The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.

Required Documents

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).

Assumption of duties:
01 February 2024.

Closing date:
29 November 2023.

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 9810 or email or . Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 7659 / 2979 /9814 /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 Policy is available at :

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.

The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position.

Additional Information

University of the Free State