SUMMARY:
The University of Fort Hare is a vibrant, equitable and sustainable African university, committed to teaching and research excellence at the service of its students, scholars and the wider community.
POSITION INFO:
Main purpose/ objective
This position is responsible for overseeing and administering financial aid programs and bursaries to support students pursuing their educational goals.
Key job functions
1. MANAGES OWN AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
- To effectively manage the UFH Financial Aid Office and improve processing efficiencies of student bursary.
- To contribute to the design and development of the best practice at the Higher Education Sector
- To ensure that effective level of service is provided to students and stakeholders.
- Ensure Financial Aid Office collaborate with internal stakeholders
- Coordinate the implementation of projects
- Monitor all compliance that is related to student funding
- Submit all weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports to executive
- Effectively manage the full institutional utilisation of funds that are administered by Financial Aid
2.
UNIT REPORTING- Monthly reporting on the work of the Unit.
- Improvement of control environment through implementation of the Internal audit action plans.
- Improvement of control environment through implementation of the external audit action plans
- Implementation of risk management action plans
- Preparation of reconciliations for all Financial Aid control accounts
3.
ORGANISATIONAL UNIT STAFF MANAGEMENT- Co-ordinate meetings with staff.
- Collaborating with HR leadership on resource planning processes.
- Managing staff, performances, and appointment of staff
- Coordinate training and development of staff
4
. MANAGEMENT OF BURSARY PROGRAMS- Management of Bursary Programs.
- Ensure all communication of policies and guidelines from donors are communicated to financial aid staff and students.
- To strengthen policy and advisory support to the Director Financial Controls and Operations.
- Developing programs in line with institutional policies & government regulations
- Designing eligibility criteria for financial aid & bursary programs (where applicable).
- Ensure timeous payment of student allowances.
- Assessing programs financial risk
- Collaborating with other functions
- Developing promotional materials for distribution
- Establishing & maintaining relationships with external providers/ donors
- Facilitating the signing of the MOU/contracts for funding.
- Implement ITS module for funders and beneficiaries
- Implement a process to prepare claims to all funders and follow up on payment of the committed funds.
- Drafts compliance reports to senior leadership
- Develop a Stakeholder engagement plan (internal and external)
- Develop a tool for query tracking and the matrix for the satisfaction measurement.
Minimum qualifications and experience:- Degree/B Tech/Advanced Diploma at NQF level 7 in Finance, Management Accounting or Financial Accounting.
- Eight (8) years’ experience in Financial Aid or Project Finance management. Of the eight (8) years, five (5) years’ experience of that should be at a Managerial/supervisory level.
- Experience in student information systems (ITS) or enterprise resource planning
- Proven computer literacy in the use of MS Office with a particular focus on MS Word at an advanced level and MS Excel and PowerPoint at an advanced level.
Skills and competencies – The following are the skills and competencies required for the position:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong organisational skills and coordination
- Professionalism and efficiency
- Customer service
- Attention to Detail
- Problem solving
- Effective stakeholder relations and management
Closing Date: 31 August 2025To apply: Interested applicants who meet the criteria are invited to:
Visit the Website ufh.ac.za/jobs for a more comprehensive advert and to apply online.
1. Applications must be accompanied by:
a) A recent and comprehensive curriculum vitae
b) A Covering Letter stating how applicants satisfy the requirements of the advertised position/s
c) A completed University of Fort Hare Application Form
d) Copies of the applicant’s qualifications. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from SAQA
2. No faxed, emailed 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 or incomplete applications will not be considered.
4.Failure to comply with the above directions will result in the application/s being disqualified.
Note: Correspondence will be conducted with short-listed candidates only. Queries can be directed to Siyamthanda Sigodi 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.
