Job Description

Job Title
Senior Finance Officer (Post level 9) Job ID: 6225
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation -> Research Development
Contract Type
Permanent
Occupational Level
Junior Management
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date
31/8/2025
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:

Project Management (Contracts and Budgets)

Assist in preparing institutional cost recovery journals along with supporting documents for the Director of Research Development approval. Reconciliation of project financial information in project entities. Prepare and submit periodic project management accounts for internal stakeholders Co-ordinate project management activities for consortium agreements. Assist the Director of Research Development with reporting and submissions by extracting data from RIMS and other Grant systems. Monitor project expenditure and other project management activities. Review and extract information from the research information management system (RIMS). Review pre- and post-award research grants and contracts along with the related budgets to ensure adherence to UFS policies, internal controls and procedures, Contract terms and conditions, VAT legislation, NIPMO regulations and financial costing and budgeting principals. Prepare budgets when required to assist researchers. Identify and interpret contract obligations and risks. Work and assist RIMS team with RIMS contracts and grants module upgrades and development.

Financial Management and reporting.

Prepare payment journals along with supporting documents for the Director Research Development approval. Track expenditure payments for reporting purposes Assist the Director of Research Development with financial submissions by extracting financial data from UFS financial tools (Inquiry and General Ledger). Perform analyses of data, using Excel pivot tables and analyse and interpret financial information. Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in financial systems, correcting any errors. Assist with the preparation of tables, graphs, fact sheets, summarizing research and financial results. Support the Director Research and Development with updating risk management systems, RIMS and other Grant systems, dashboards, etc. Assist with developing and implementing process control procedures. Attend meetings. Work and assist RIMS team with RIMS financial module upgrades and development Implement office systems and procedures as required by the DRD. General and ad hoc engagements and submissions. The directorate is often tasked with ad hoc projects, which is not necessarily described in the role above, and the incumbent is required to assist the Senior Director and Director Research Development with project-related activities.

Inherent requirements:

Bachelor's degree or an Advanced Diploma/B.Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF level 7 or a 3-year National Diploma on NQF level 6 in Accounting or closely related field. Minimum of two (2) years' relevant working experience in an accounting/audit firm or related to duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

Honours will be advantageous. Knowledge of business drivers, business risks and financial trends in the higher education sector. Demonstrates understanding of relevant financial systems (Inquiry), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Costing and Budgeting principals and best practices. Interpretation and understanding of applicable legislation including but not limited Value Added Tax (VAT), Intellectual Property Rights act, Companies Act etc. Ability to read and interpret financial contractual obligations and risks embedded in Research related Grants, Contracts, and other Agreements. Management reporting and ability to extract data from systems and conduct analysis of the same on Excel application through use of formulars, pivot tables, graphs etc. Ability to use Excel, Word and PowerPoint applications and generate reports etc. Monitoring of projects and reconciling accounts and reporting project expenditure. Good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to function with ease in the University's richly diverse working environment. Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to a high standard of work. Ability to work independently in a high-pressure environment Ability to plan, co-ordinate, manage and prioritise work effectively. Operational thoroughness. The ability to converse technically and legally.
Competencies

Required competencies

Results Orientated:

The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations. The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

o 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.

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 be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations. The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration, and working with close supervision.

Assumption of duties:

As soon as possible

Closing date:

31 August 2025

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.z

a Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9813 / 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 Plan is available at:

EEA13-UFS EE Plan 1 March 2025_28 Feb 2026.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.