NATIONAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID SCHEME (NSFAS) VACANCIES

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The following vacancy exists at NSFAS in Cape Town.
 
SENIOR SPECIALIST CONTINUOUS VERIFICATION
Type & Grade Permanent, D1
Vacancy No 26 of 2024/25 
Department & Unit Core Business Operations, Continuous Verification
 
POSITION OVERVIEW
To manage the funder setup process, including defining process cycle dates, disbursement mapping, allowance caps and annual student migration; whilst providing managerial onsite support for TVET Colleges and Universities in collaboration with the Student Services and Regional Coordination functions, to ensure seamless operations and effective data management.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Policy, Systems & Procedure Implementation
• Implementing and reinforcing compliance procedures related to the NSFAS financial systems.
• Identifying opportunities and gaps utilizing the knowledge of compliance with legislation, policy and procedures regarding financial systems.
 
Core Strategic/Operations Objectives Implementation
• Manage the funder setup process, including defining process cycle dates, disbursement mapping, and allowance caps
• Analyse outstanding academic results and funding lists to ensure accurate data
• Resolve exceptions using SQL and Excel to analyse outstanding migrations
• Identify passed records within N+ and outstanding funding
• Communicate and resolve exceptions
• Compare previous funding to current academic year funding to identify discrepancies
• Review registrations received and generate reports from SQL or Excel
• Pinpoint potential exceptions and communicate resolutions
• Provide oversight on the duplicate registrations process
• Manage the duplicate registration process and responses
• Analyse and apply duplicate registration resolutions, including reversing records paid to incorrect institutions and processing unpaid records
• Handle adjustment exceptions and communicate with stakeholders
• Identify and resolve adjustment exceptions
• Analyse adjustment received for potential budget implications
• Review projection files to confirm correct students and amounts being disbursed and communicate the data to the finance department
• Communicate exclusions with exclusion reasons
• Reconcile paid records
• Report on disbursements paid
• Manage the cancellation process and communicate with stakeholders
• Create a dedicated mailbox for cancellations
• Transfer data to SQL Server to be included in disbursement runs
• Calculate reversals and communicate to the finance department
People Management & Ethical Leadership
• Manages and participation in the recruitment and selection of unit vacancies in line with EE targets.
• Delegates tasks to subordinates for implementation.
• Directs, inspires, coaches and mentor subordinates to deliver quality programmes in line with NSFAS Values.
• Manages and participates in leading the individual performance contracting and review process for responsible team/s.
• Manages and participates in all disciplinary matters of subunits related to performance and conduct issues.
Stakeholder Engagement & Relationships
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders, including funders, academic institutions, and internal teams.
• Proactively identify and address stakeholder concerns, ensuring timely and effective resolutions
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement process improvements
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings and discussions to align on objectives and strategies
• Represent the department in meetings with senior management and external partners
Project Management & Leadership
• Manages multiple tasks and prioritise accordingly without compromising on quality of work
• Provide oversight and where required participate in projects to address identified needs
• Where required, analyse and interpret project reports upon completion of the project to evaluate return on investment and to recommend insights for future decision making.
Budget optimisation
• Manage expenditure in line with budget for all Continuous Verification related projects (where applicable)
• Monitors spend aligned to approved budget (where applicable).
Compliance Monitoring and Evaluation
• Provide Senior Specialist responsibilities over the Continuous Verification plan and the processes that support the implementation of key risk controls and established compliance risk mitigation processes
• Where required, support the Senior Manager in conducting monitoring reviews in line with the compliance monitoring plan.
Information & Knowledge Management
• Provide expert training and guidance to staff on all ranges of compliance issues in relation to Continuous Verification.
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager and ICT to build systems that enable the management of data obtained from different sources.
• Develop and deliver presentations to communicate findings and recommendations to management.
Reporting & Accountability
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports on key performance indicators, process improvements, and stakeholder engagement
• Analyse data, identify trends, and provide insights to support decision-making.
 
DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum requirements:
• NQF7 Level qualification in commerce, information systems or related qualifications.
• Driver’s License
• Extensive experience (5+ years) in financial systems particularly in two or more of the following functions: data analysis, disbursements, financial reporting and forecasting.
• Experience (min. 2 years) in the education sector/industry
• Computer literacy – Intermediate MS Package Suite
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in SQL and Excel for data analysis and reporting
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement/management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy
• Understanding and knowledge of compliance with legislation, policy and procedures in regard to financial systems
• Knowledge and experience of relevant regulations and policies
Preferred
• Extensive experience (8+ years) in financial systems particularly in two or more of the following functions; data analysis, disbursements, financial reporting and forecasting.
• Extensive experience (8+ years) in the education sector/industry
• Experience with validation of data against standards determined by external stakeholders.
 
Behavioural Competencies:
• Effective Communication & Consultation
• Attention to detail/ Quality Control
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• Risk Awareness
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Planning & Organising (e.g. prioritisation & time management)
• Problem Analysis
• Decision Making (Judgement)
• Emotional Intelligence
• Resilience & Composure

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REMUNERATION & BENEFITS
Remuneration Package: R 924 840– R 1 089 426 per annum
Total Cost to Company per annum inclusive of all benefits and company contributions.
 
PLEASE NOTE
 
Closing date: 29 August 2024
 
Interested applicants must apply via this link: Senior Specialist Continuous Verification
 
The NSFAS does not consider late applications. The NSFAS talent acquisition team only corresponds with Shortlisted Candidates. Should you not hear from the NSFAS talent acquisition team within 2 months from the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
 
Appointments will be made in line with the NSFAS Employment Equity goals and targets.