Main Job Objectives
In addition to providing strategic leadership for the division, the Director Student Affairs must ensure the provision of a living and learning student support system, culture and an environment that is inclusive and conducive to a healthy lifestyle, personal growth, development and academic success of both residence and Oppidan students, through the Healthcare Centre, Counselling Centre, Career Centre, Sports Administration and other student development programmes. The Director Student Affairs is also responsible for ensuring efficient and consistent support for students, the residential system and other key stakeholders.
Key Performance Areas
Strategic Leadership and Leadership of The Division – Human Resource Planning, Financial Management, Senior Management, Research & Project Management Responsibilities
- Formulate and drive the Division’ strategic plans in accordance with the strategy of the institution
- Build strategic capability to increase capacity and empower good value judgement
- Participate in and chair important institutional committees including Senior Management meetings
- Identify, manage and mitigate risks in the Division of Student Affairs
- Provide leadership and give advice to the relevant institutional bodies on all student affairs-related matters
- Contribute to developing plans and strategies for the provision of world-class off-campus accredited accommodation
- Ensure that regular benchmarking and research are undertaken in respect of residence and Oppidan life, to keep abreast of developments in the sector and inform transformation and create an enabling environment for students
- Undertake annual student experience and satisfaction surveys
- Develop and maintain HR management plan for the Division
- Work collaboratively with the management team of the Division to ensure optimal deployment of staff
- Ensure effective management of conflict and disputes among students and staff of the Division
- Ensure that reported cases of discrimination and harassment of students are investigated to create an enabling environment and an inclusive culture that supports diversity
- Monitor progress in relation to the achievement of goals and objectives of the division
- Monitoring of performance of individuals and that of the Division against these goals and objectives
- Formulate appropriate performance management of the direct reports including the:
- Selection of these staff
- Induction and training of these staff
- Motivation and recognition of staff
- Managing of performance including disciplining of staff who are not performing
- Ensure that there are appropriate structures, processes and policies in place that support the operational plan
- Overall responsibility for management of budget including planning and control of expenses
- Ensure timeous development of budgets
- Monitor and ensure effective and sustainable utilisation of funds allocated to the division
- Manage financial and physical resources in accordance with institutional policies and procedures
- Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with the senior management
- Participate in key institutional policy and decision-making bodies
- Represent the institution on various national and regional committees and entities
Residence, Residential Staffing & Oppidan
- Partner with executive management in the formulation and implementation of overall strategy of the University with particular reference to student’s living and learning needs and the provision of an appropriate student support staff, infrastructure and environment/spaces
- Determine and ensure appropriate quality of life for students at the institution
- Work collaboratively with the staff of the Division of Facilities and Infrastructure, to ensure the provision of a sustainable, modern, functional, well-maintained residence system
- Build rapport with staff in the residences
- Work collaboratively with the residential staff and Residential Operations to drive transformation and change in support of the provision of institution’s strategic objectives in respect of student residences and experience
- Lead the formulation, implementation and review of strategies, policies and practices relating to the provision of effective living and learning student development and support system and an environment that is inclusive and conducive to a healthy lifestyle, personal growth, development and academic success
- Ensure an effective residential system
- In consultation with the residential staff and SRC, ensure effective student leadership development of the residence staff and House Committees is taking place, as well as leadership development of all students
- Collaborate and Liaise with the Director: Residential Operations for the residential services such as catering and housekeeping and negotiate with him/her the establishment of structures, processes and procedures that allow for effective and efficient service delivery within the residences
- Collaborate and liaise with the Director: Facilities and Infrastructure for the maintenance of the infrastructure of the residences and negotiate with him/her the establishment of structures, processes and procedures that allow for effective and efficient service provision within the residences
- Ensure an effective Oppidan system (this is for students not living on campus)
Student Well-being & Disability
- Advocate the importance of student well-being and personal growth and development outside of the teaching arena and drive the approach to be taken in enhancing the student experience and their well-being
- In the case of shared services for students and staff, work collaboratively with the Director or his/her staff of the Human Resources Division
- Ensure effective provision of counselling support (personal and career) for students
- Ensure effective provision of holistic Student Wellness for students by rendering professional services through the Healthcare Centre, Counselling Centre, Career Centre, HIV programmes and Sports Administration
- Collaborate with the Anti-Harassment Office to develop and provide ongoing mechanisms for students to lay complaints related to harassment, gender-based violence, harm and unfair discrimination
- Ensure the effective provision of a sports programme and facilities for students, through the Sports Administration
- Work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders on a strategy for development and support of students with disabilities
- Ensure the provision of appropriate support and development for students with disabilities
- Put systems in place for students in distress, e.g., implement the Leave of Absence working closely with academic departments (HoDs)
- Liaise with parents during times of student crises
Student Leadership and the SRC
- Establish a rapport with the Student Representative Council to ensure the effective running of the Council
- With the relevant stakeholders, build e a vision and strategy for student leadership development (for all students)
- Identify opportunities and establish programmes for development of student leadership
- Ensure effective student leadership training
- Ensure development of purposeful, systematic and structured living-learning programmes and initiatives that supplement and enrich the students experience and which will build leadership competence/advantage of all students
- Ensure that there are appropriate liaison and communication mechanisms in place to allow for accurate and timeous two-way feedback: feedback from students and staff who wish to raise student concerns (e.g., committee systems, forums etc.) and feedback from the Director: Student Affairs on concerns and progress being made
Students and Institutional Culture
- Develop a first-year experience framework and organise orientation programme for new students collaboratively with the faculty deans, CHERTL, CE, the Library and other relevant stakeholders
- Ensure that first year students are involved in extended orientation programmes
- Ensure continuous review of student-related policies and practices, including those that fall outside the direct scope of the Division of Student Affairs
- Work collaboratively with the Office of Equity and Institutional Culture as regards issues of institutional culture, particularly as it relates to students
- Support executive management in reviewing, developing and implementing the overall policies and processes of the institution with particular reference to student-related policies, protocols, processes and systems, ensuring that student’s concerns and needs are taken into account in decision-making
- Facilitate the alignment of student needs with organisational imperatives and within a framework of limited resources and competing demands
- Facilitate regular review of traditional practices and other activities such as serenading in the residential system with a view to eliminating those that are experienced as initiation or humiliating or demeaning to the students or posing reputational risk to the institution
Job Requirements
Education and Experience
A Masters’ Degree (preferably in social sciences, a PhD will be an advantage), plus approximately 8 years’ relevant experience, where such experience includes:
- A track record of demonstrating leadership in the area of student leadership, student personal growth and development, areas of student well-being and/or championing student’s issues and rights, worked with psychological and sociological development, equity, culture and gender dynamics facing students at South African Universities. This track record could have been achieved in the area of teaching & learning development
- A soundtrack record of successful determination and implementation of strategy as it relates to student issues (growth, development, well-being, student’s rights, teaching & learning)
- Exposure to student affairs in a Higher Education (HE) context, having worked closely with students resulting in an in-depth understanding of the nature and needs of students and young adults
- A sound track record of working collaboratively at the senior management level where this experience included strategic leadership, operational planning and execution and strong line management experience
- A track record of introducing new policies, systems, procedures and practices that have required individuals to change their current way of thinking and functioning and manage change
- An excellent track record of driving service delivery and successful budget and financial management
- Active participation in key decision-making for a
Professional Competencies
- Strategically orientated to continuously plan, develop, implement, realign and re-assess the factors critical for the success of the Division
- Possess a good understanding of the Higher Education regulatory and policy milieu (knowledge of the context of Higher Education and trends in Higher Education as well as the effective functioning of tertiary/higher education institutions)
- Knowledge of the South African socio-political, economic and technological context in particular how this is impacting young adults
- Knowledge of the role of the Director: Student Affairs function within a HE institution (past, present and potential)
- An effective philosophy regarding student well-being and development in the context of HE and current trends and thinking in this area
- Knowledge of the development of young adults and in particular challenges faced
- Knowledge of interpersonal and inter-group dynamics: issues of identity, culture, race, gender etc.
- High level of assertiveness to be able to deal productively with a wide range of responsibilities in a landscape that is diverse, whilst maintaining a conducive learning and working environment
