UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA) VACANCIES

​ 
 
 
PORTFOLIO: INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT 
DEPARTMENT: HUMAN RESOURCES 
DIRECTOR: ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (P4) X1 (Muckleneuk Campus) 
(Ref: Dir/OD/HR/ID/Oct2024)
 
The purpose and objectives of this position is to lead and direct organisational design and effectiveness, optimise the use of HR Information Systems, and implement organisational culture and transformation in line with the Unisa 2030 Strategy and CODeL Business Model.
 
Requirements

• Minimum of Masters Degree in Human Resources OR related field and registration with relevant professional body where applicable. 
• PhD is recommended and will serve as an advantage. 
• Minimum of 10 years relevant work experience with at least five (5) years in a management role. 

 
Duties
Strategic Direction and Alignment 

• Leading and developing the Organisational Development (OD) strategy and objectives in line with the Institutional CODeL and Unisa 2030 Strategy 
• Developing Operational Plan and KPI’s in support of the departmental strategy in support of the institution’s overall vision and strategy 
• Executing the Directorate’s Operational Plan and procedures to support the UNISA 2030 Strategy 
• Interpreting policies to lower levels and ensuring alignment with Directorate’s Operational Plan 
• Providing direction in the Directorate’s area(s) of specialisation 

 
Operational Leadership and Execution

• Developing solutions for specific organisational and business problems, aligning stakeholders to objectives and plans to implement those solutions. 
• Providing tactical and operational leadership regarding all operations of the Directorate from an overall perspective, which include Organisational Design and Effectiveness; Human Resource Information Systems; HR Policy Development; Job Analysis and Evaluation 
• Monitoring and continually improving the effectiveness of OD programs, products to ensure advancement of the organisational strategy and culture. 
• Providing expert facilitation and training on change management to ensure organisational performance, team effectiveness, structure/design, governance practices, culture, and other HR processes support achievement of business goals. 
• Co-developing and taking joint accountability for the implementation of an institutional operating model to drive Unisa strategy realisation and transformation. 
• Researching and designing an architectural model in shaping the desired organisational model based on best practices. 
• Developing quantitative and qualitative success metrics and measures for key organisational development initiatives 
• Providing leadership to organisation design and development, ensuring fit for purpose structures and skill mix and effective change management. 
• Ensuring that HR business partnering arrangements are fully embedded and that line management takes ownership for people management and development activities. 
• Ensuring that HR processes and policies aligns to the Unisa evolving culture of innovation, healthy intellectual debate, professional growth, achievement, and excellence within the institution. 
• Improving continuously HR and employment policies and seeking opportunities to harmonise policies across the organisation, in partnership with line managers and with Organised Labour, and professional associations: ensuring compliance with employment legislation and best practice and understand ability for line managers and all staff. 
• Ensuring that line managers are supported and trained to apply HR and employment policies with consistency and equity. 
• Ensuring that relevant statutory, regulatory, and professional standards are wholly achieved in relation to HR and OD policies, processes, and procedures, particularly in respect of safe employment, information governance and employment legislation. 
• Overseeing the organisation's HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) in respect of development, implementation, and Modifications. 
• Integrating the HR systems ensuring HR process alignment to ODel in collaboration with ICT.
• Identifying new development and system opportunities/software in delivering the People & Culture strategic agenda 
• Providing leadership in the development of effective job evaluation processes and procedures acceptable for all stakeholders. 
• Partnering with the HRBPs in consulting with the business to create innovative solutions. 
• Collaborating with other HR business units to deliver comprehensive solutions to the Business Partners 
• Supporting the HR business partners with interventions when quality or performance is not in line with the plan, in accordance with the organisations Quality and Performance Management Framework 
• Fostering the relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders 

 
Forecasting, Budgeting and Financial Management 

• Managing the Directorate’s resources efficiently, effectively, economically and in accordance with the relevant principles and policies of Unisa 
• Compiling and managing the Directorate’s budget in line with the departmental budget 
• Directing and monitoring the Directorate’s expenditure within budgeted parameters and reporting on variances periodically 
• Managing the process of allocation of financial resources within the Directorate 
• Managing the function’s resources sustainably in accordance with financial principles 
• Authorising the procurement of relevant services, equipment, and materials. 
• Safeguarding the assets allocated to the Directorate. 
• Costing of projected / forecasted personnel models and the linkage thereof to remuneration and benefit models 

 
People Management 

• Ensuring and monitoring that all staff in the Directorate are orientated to the organisation, trained, skilled, retained and that their expertise is optimally applied. 
• Ensuring a high-performance culture in the Directorate through taking accountability for an effective and well-articulated performance management process 
• Ensuring the implementation of training and development programmes for staff, including personal development plans (PDPs) 
• Establishing a positive, healthy, and safe work environment and culture in accordance with the Transformation Charter. 
• Directing implementation of the human resources policies, procedures, and practices 
• Building a robust, effective talent and leadership pipeline, succession, and HR capacity
• Governance and Reporting 
• Monitoring and reporting on progress against operational initiatives. 
• Monitoring and reporting on legislative and statutory compliance. 
• Promoting sound Institutional governance and participating in Institutional governance structures (Professional Citizenship) 
• Ensuring the development and implementation of policies and procedures 
• Compiling regular reports to Council, its committees, and other relevant structures 
• Participating in the annual performance review 
• Identifying risks relating to the field of responsibility, develop and implement mitigating strategies. 
• Documenting and reporting on Directorate specific matters. 
• Ensuring proper record keeping of all aspects within field of responsibility. 

 
Behaviour and Technical and Managerial Competencies 

• Leading and decision making 
• Interacting and presenting 
• Creating and conceptualising 
• Enterprising and performing 
• Organising and execution 
• Analysing and interpreting 
• Adapting and coping 
• Supporting and Cooperating 
• Management principles, methodologies, and tools 
• Understanding of Human Resources and Organisation Developments principles 
• Knowledge of organisation development and design, methodologies, and tools 
• Expertise in organisational design, job analysis/ design, creating staffing models, implementing, and managing culture change and transformation initiatives. 
• Skills in project management approaches, tools, and phases of the project lifecycle 

 
All educational qualifications 

• Prescribed Unisa application form 

 
 
Assumption of duty : As soon as possible 
Salary : Remuneration is commensurate with the seniority of the Position 
 
Closing Date : 06 January 2025 
 
Please note that Skill Placement has been appointed as the service provider for the response handling process and all correspondence. 
 
Enquiries : Mr. Godwin Murerwa – 078 111 9007/011 764 1052 application can be forwarded by email to: godwin@skillplace.co.za
 
Interested candidates should send a detailed cover letter indicating their suitability for the position, a detailed comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, and copies of the following documents: 
Identity document; and 
Proof of SAQA verification of foreign qualifications, where relevant. 
 
 
The contact details of three contactable references must be provided, one which must be from your present employer. Should you not be currently employed a contactable reference from your previous employer must be provided. 
 
The detailed advertisement together with the prescribed application form can be found on the Unisa website (http://www.unisa.ac.za/vacancies)
Application can be forwarded by email to: 
Unisa is not obliged to fill an advertised position. 
Late, incomplete, and incorrect applications will not be considered. 
Recommended candidates might be subjected to competency assessment. 
 
Appointments will be made in accordance with Unisa’s Employment Equity Plan and other applicable legislation. 
 
All applications should reach UNISA before 16h00 on the closing date. 
 
Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within two months after closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was not successful.
 
We welcome applications from Persons with Disabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
VICE PRINCIPAL: FINANCE AND UNISA BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (CFO) P2
(5-YEAR FIXED-TERM CONTRACT) 
(Ref: VP: CFO/ FUBE /PD-2024)
 
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) institution in Africa and the longest complex standing dedicated distance education university in the world, nurturing aspirant leaders of tomorrow and motivating a future generation through knowledge development, engaged scholarship, research, and innovation. Unisa offers an unparalleled range of study choices in under-graduate and post-graduate degrees/research, UNISA is inviting applications for the position of Vice Principal: Finance and Unisa Business Enterprise (CFO) P2. 
 
UNISA is seeking to appoint a qualified and experienced financial expert who has relevant skills and leadership qualities; strong financial and business acumen, familiar with relevant governance structures within higher education and other relevant bodies and who has the ability and experience to manage huge budget of over a billion rand. The successful candidate will be expected to develop financial systems, controls and audit and risks guidelines. The candidate will be expected of the successful candidate to reposition Unisa as a leader in income generation through third stream income and other income generation strategies/methods. 
 
Main Outputs and purpose for this position. 
To provide leadership and strategic direction in the provisioning of effective and efficient financial management, accounting and procurement services and generation of Third-Stream Income to ensure effective financial sustainability and sound financial governance within Unisa in accordance with relevant legislation and in alignment with the Institution’s Comprehensive, Open Distance and e-Learning (CODeL) 2030 strategy. 
 
KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 
KPA 1: Strategic Direction, Planning and Alignment 

• Providing input into the University’s overall strategy. 
• Providing strategic direction and monitor the achievement of the Portfolio’s strategy aligned to the overall CODeL 2030 strategy. 
• Overseeing the development, implementation and review of the Portfolio’s strategy, plans, policies, procedures, practices, processes, and systems. 
• Providing strategic direction to the development of the Portfolio’s annual performance review as is required by the Department of Higher Education Training (DHET).

 
KPA 2: Strategic leadership, Finance and Unisa Business Enterprise and Procurement 

• Providing strategic leadership regarding all the operations of the Portfolio from an overall perspective, which includes: 
• Financial Management; 
• Supply Chain Management; and 
• Generation of Third-Stream Income through Unisa Enterprise 
• Providing strategic leadership in the development and the continuous evaluation of short, medium, and long-term strategic financial objectives of the university the Institution. 
• Ensuring the enhancement of the performance of Financial and Supply Chain Management by providing regular, timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial and procurement trends, and forecasts to collectively support the core business of the University, being teaching, learning, research, innovation, and community engagement. 
• Providing leadership in developing strategies and business models to optimise the opportunities that exist for third stream revenue. 
• Providing strategic leadership in directing and overseeing the Institution’s financial risk-management programme. 
• Providing strategic direction through integrated planning and resource allocation to ensure that the achievement of strategic objectives of UNISA. 
• Provides strategic leadership regarding the monitoring of compliance of accounts, ledgers and reporting systems to relevant financial standards. 
• Providing strategic leadership regarding the budgeting process and the implementation of budgets. 
• Ensuring that accurate, timely financial analyses are available for decision-making and planning purposes. 
• Providing strategic leadership on contract negotiations from a financial impact perspective. 
• Establishing efficient workflows and business processes to meet the need of financial information of multiple internal and external stakeholders. 
• Providing strategic leadership during the annual audit process, ensuring year-round compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and other accounting standards. 
• Ensure that the management and operations of the Portfolio is aligned with the demands of the Digital Age. 
• Providing strategic leadership in the provisioning of expert advice and support on the procurement process against Institutional spend. 
• Preparing materials and presenting, as necessary, financial information to Unisa governance structures or relevant committees. 
• Embedding financial sustainability through a green Institution-wide culture. 
• Develop an effective Finance Strategy 
• Develop a Turnaround Strategy for the Finance Portfolio. 

 
KPA 3: Forecasting, Budgeting and Financial Management 

• Formulating strategy forecast cost implications that are linked to Institutional budgeting processes. 
• Coordinating and driving preparation of the Institution and Portfolio’s budget for Institutional approval (including funding budgets and Initiative budgets). 
• Directing and overseeing the funding of the Institution and Portfolio operations and budgeted activities. 
• Overseeing and monitoring the portfolio expenditure within budgeted parameters and reporting on variances periodically. 
• Providing leadership regarding the compilation and management of the budget for the Institution and Portfolio. 
• Overseeing the running of all accounts, ledgers, supply chain management, all financial statutory systems, and reports accordingly. 
• Engaging the UNISA Council Finance, Investment and Estates Committee, as well as the Audit and Enterprise Risk Management Committee around issues, trends, and changes in the financial operating model(s) and operational delivery. 

 
KPA 4: People Management 

• Leading, mentoring, and empowering employees and change within the Portfolio to promote performance, optimal working environment, and cost-effective operations. 
• Guiding and influencing strategic leadership in embedding the values and desired culture of the Institution in line with the Transformation Charter and CODeL 2030 Strategy. 
• Embedding sustainability through a green Institution-wide culture. 
• Driving a high-performance culture by taking accountability for an effective and well-articulated performance management process. 
• Ensuring the resourcing of the Portfolio through recruitment and filling of positions to meet the operational requirements of the institution. 
• Promoting the positive employee relations and climate through employee engagement within the Portfolio. 
• Fostering an organisational culture and climate that is ethics and value driven. 
• Providing strategic guidance in the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures, and practices. 

 
KPA 5: Governance and Reporting 

• Reporting on progress against strategic initiatives 
• Participating in Institutional governance structures 
• Managing the strategic relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders 
• Overseeing, monitoring, evaluating operations and reporting to internal and external stakeholders 
• Overseeing and reporting on legislative and statutory compliance as defined by government and relevant professional bodies 
• Promoting a context-relevant environmental, social and governance sustainability awareness and culture. 

 
REQUIREMENTS
Qualification

• Minimum of Masters degree in accounting/finance 
• Qualified CA(SA)/ ACCA/CIMA 
• Registered with the accounting professional bodies 
• PhD will serve as an added advantage 

 
Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ relevant experience in higher education with at least 5 years in a senior/executive management role 

 
Assumption of duty : As soon as possible 
Salary : Remuneration is commensurate with the seniority of the Position 
 
If interested, please refer all applications to apply please forward your application quoting reference number AP1131 to Genevieve Michel c/o shireen1131@talenting.co.za
 
Submitting your comprehensive C.V. and certified copies of qualifications. 
 
Closing date for applications: 6 January 2025 
 
Please send a Letter of Application, a completed application form, a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, and copies of: 

• Identity document; and 
• Proof of SAQA verification of foreign qualifications, where relevant. 
• The contact details of three contactable references must be provided, one which must be from your present employer. Should you not be currently employed a contactable reference from your previous employer must be provided. 
• Unisa is not obliged to fill an advertised position. 
• Late, incomplete, and incorrect applications will not be considered. 

 
We welcome applications from persons with disabilities. 
 
Appointments will be made in accordance with Unisa’s Employment Equity Plan and other applicable legislation.
 
 
 
 

​ 
 
 
 
 
 
VICE PRINCIPAL: INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT P2 
(5-YEAR FIXED-TERM CONTRACT) 
(Ref: VP: ID/ ID/PD-2024)
 
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) institution in Africa and the longest complex standing dedicated distance education university in the world, nurturing aspirant leaders of tomorrow and motivating a future generation through knowledge development, research, engaged scholarship, research, and innovation. Unisa offers an unparalleled range of study choices in under-graduate degrees and post-graduate degrees/research. 
 
UNISA is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced candidate for the Position of Vice Principal: Institutional Development P2 who will provide strategic leadership and overall direction of the Portfolio. The University is looking for a strategic thinker who is strong in decision making, stakeholder management, negotiation skills, institutional change, who has the ability to drive institutional culture and transformational imperatives as well as providing leadership to a group of academics, professionals, and support staff. The successful candidate is expected to brand and reposition UNISA as an august University in an international pedestal. 
 
Main Outputs and purpose for this position. 
To provide leadership and strategic direction to the integrated implementation of the Institutional Development in terms of human resources, institutional advancement, stakeholder engagement, project and coordination in accordance with relevant legislations and in alignment with the Institution’s Comprehensive, Open Distance and e-Learning (CODeL) and 2030 strategy. 
 
KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 
KPA 1: Strategic Direction, Planning and Alignment 

• Providing strategic input into the University’s overall strategy. 
• Demonstrating strategic direction and monitor the achievement of the Portfolio’s strategy aligned to the overall CODeL 2030 strategy. 
• Overseeing the development, implementation and review of the Portfolio’s strategy, plans, policies, procedures, practices, processes and systems. 
• Providing strategic direction to the development of the Portfolio’s annual performance review as is required by Statutory bodies. 

 
KPA 2: Operational Leadership and Process Management 

• Providing strategic leadership regarding all the operations of the Portfolio from an overall perspective, which includes: 
• Human Resources; 
• Institutional Advancement; and 
• Stakeholder Engagement, Projects and Coordination 
• Providing strategic leadership in ensuring integrated institutional development and transformation strategies and plans for the Institution. 
• Ensuring the institutional advancement of the institution through effective communication, marketing and liaison and the nurturing of strategic partnerships, relationships inclusive of sound Alumni Relations and Unisa Foundation that collectively support the core business of the University, being teaching, learning, research, innovation and engaged scholarship. 
• Ensuring an institution that has been transformed to a credible and progressive institution with appropriate human resources that reflects the demography and characteristics of the country, is service and people–oriented, pursues the need for Africanism, and is focussed on service delivery that addressed the needs of the community it serves. 
• Providing strategic leadership in collaboratively developing an organisational framework within which the University must function, inclusive of the structures it should put in place to ensure the achievement of outcomes as reflected in the strategic plan and the annual compact with Council. 
• Providing strategic leadership to ensure a collaborative approach and synergy between the functions and efforts of establishing strategic partnerships, institutional development and special projects. 
• Providing strategic direction through integrated planning and resource allocation to ensure the achievement of strategic objectives of UNISA. 
• Providing strategic leadership regarding human resources, diversity management, and equity and transformation opportunities in the University. 
• Providing strategic direction and planning to ensure the development, implementation and management of an effective and efficient integrated human resources system and HR governance framework for UNISA. 
• Providing strategic leadership in the development of human capital management and building the human resources capability across the institution to support the strategy. 
• Providing strategic direction to ensure the development and maintenance of optimal organisational and affordable post structures that supports the strategic objectives of the Institution. 
• Providing strategic leadership to ensure the development and maintenance of a fitting workforce plan and personnel complement that is appropriately remunerated. 
• Building a conducive workplace climate and improve employee engagement. 
• Ensuring effectiveness of human resource infrastructure that support effective management of the workforce. 

 
KPA 3: Forecasting, Budgeting and Financial Management 

• Formulating strategy cost implications that are linked to Institutional budgeting processes.
• Coordinating and driving preparation of the Portfolio’s budget for Institutional approval (including funding budgets and Initiative budgets). 
• Directing and overseeing the funding of Portfolio operations and budgeted activities. 
• Overseeing and monitoring portfolio expenditure within budgeted parameters and reporting on variances periodically. 
• Providing leadership regarding the compilation and management of the budget for the Portfolio. 

 
KPA 4: People Management 

• Leading, mentoring and empowering employees and change within the Portfolio to promote performance, optimal working environment and cost-effective operations. 
• Guiding and influencing strategic leadership in embedding the values and desired culture of the Institution in line with the Transformation Charter and CODeL 2030 Strategy. 
• Embedding sustainability through green Institution-wide culture. 
• Driving a high-performance culture by taking accountability for an effective and well-articulated performance management process. 
• Ensuring the resourcing of the Portfolio through recruitment and filling of positions to meet the operational requirements of the institution. 
• Promoting the positive employee relations and climate through employee engagement within the Portfolio. 
• Fostering an organisational culture and climate that is ethics and value driven. 
• Providing strategic guidance in the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices. 

 
KPA 5: Governance and Reporting 

• Reporting on progress against strategic initiatives. 
• Participating in Institutional governance structures 
• Managing the strategic relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders 
• Overseeing, monitoring, evaluating operations and reporting to internal and external stakeholders 
• Overseeing and reporting on legislative and statutory compliance as defined by government and relevant professional bodies 
• Promoting a context-relevant environmental, social and governance sustainability awareness and culture. 

 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 
Qualifications:

• A Doctoral qualification 
• Minimum ten (10) years in management experience with at least 5 years in Senior/Executive management role especially in Higher Education Sector. 
• Associate Professor will serve as an added advantage 

 
Experience in:

• Human Resources at a strategic level. 
• Institutional change management and advancement 
• Communication and Marketing 
• Academic excellence 
• All educational qualifications. 

 
 
Assumption of duty : As soon as possible 
Salary : Remuneration is commensurate with the seniority of the Position 
 
If interested, please refer all applications quoting reference number AP1130 to Genevieve Michel c/o shireen1130@talenting.co.za submitting your comprehensive C.V. and certified copies of qualifications. 
 
Closing date for applications: 6 January 2025 
 
Please send a Letter of Application, a completed application form, a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, and copies of: 

• Identity document; and 
• Proof of SAQA verification of foreign qualifications, where relevant. 
• The contact details of three contactable references must be provided, one which must be from your present employer. Should you not be currently employed a contactable reference from your previous employer must be provided. 
• Unisa is not obliged to fill an advertised position. 
• Late, incomplete and incorrect applications will not be considered. 

 
We welcome applications from persons with disabilities. 
Appointments will be made in accordance with Unisa’s Employment Equity Plan and other applicable legislation.