Executive Operations Manager (East London, Bisho and Alice Campus) - Office of the DVC: Institutional Support Ref No: 00

Key Job Functions
Strategic managerial tasks and activities:
- Following up and monitoring all the executive’s initiatives that are of strategic nature/interest to the university and draw up progress reports;
- Tracking and monitoring of progress on tasks assigned by the executive to various senior managers in his/her Division and integrating or collating reports where required;
- Taking minutes at meetings that are not supported by the Committees section;
- Editing and conducting quality assurance on submissions from the executive’s office to the MEC or other University structures;
- Ongoing monitoring of the Division’s performance in relation to the APP and other planning instruments and identifying areas of concern.
High level communication:
- Handling incoming and outgoing correspondence at executive level and drafting responses on behalf of the executive;
- Ensuring compliance with timelines and drafting an appropriate response to all requests for information from external institutions such as DHET, NSFAS, SAQA, the CHE, the NRF, DST, etc.;
- Preparing notices and circulars addressed to the university community at the request of the executive;
- Preparing presentations and drafting speeches.
Research and information-gathering
- Conducting research and collating background information to support the executive in the execution of his/her functions; - Drafting briefing documents and summaries of reports; - Writing reports on behalf of the executive for internal University structures as well as external bodies.
Project management and coordination
- Leading or coordinating key projects assigned by the executive;
- Tracking progress on project deliverables;
- Managing timelines and project flows;
- Writing project reports and keeping project records.
Office management
- Compiling the budget and monitoring expenditure in the office - Ensuring sound human relations within the office, including in its interaction with the university community and external stakeholders
Minimum requirements
- Master’s degree and/or professional equivalent with 10 years of relevant experience;
- Proven 5 years’ experience in a similar and challenging high-profile role supporting senior/executive management
- Demonstrable ability to build and maintain effective relationships with leaders, staff, partners, other stakeholders both within the University and the Higher Education sector, and beyond, with the ability to adapt style accordingly
- Approachable, with a high level of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm
- An understanding of the operations and affairs of a university environment will be an added advantage.

Closing Date: 20 April 2022
To apply: Interested applicants who meet the criteria are invited to:
1. Upload your application with COVERING LETTER CLEARLY INDICATING THE POSITION YOU ARE APPLYING FOR, with a complete CV, proof of remuneration and three work-related referees
2. No faxes or walk-ins (hard copies) will be accepted.
3. Applicants are urged to ensure that their applications reach the Human Resources Department before the closing date. Late applications will not be considered
4. Failure to comply with the above directions will result in the application being disqualified.

Note: Correspondence will be conducted with short-listed candidates only. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from SAQA.
Queries can be directed to Ms. A Sonjica on and

The University reserves the right NOT to make a permanent appointment at this stage. University of Fort Hare is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Pursuant to complying with the Employment Equity Act No.55 of 1998, when appointing preference will be given to applicants from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile.