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UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE (UFS) VACANCIES - 05 MAY 2026
UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE (UFS)
ACADEMIC HEAD OF DEPARTMENT (CONTRACT APPOINTMENT: 5 YEARS, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SERVING A SECOND TERM) (JOB ID: 6447)
Organizational Unit University of the Free State -> Faculty of Education -> Department of Education Management, Policy and Comparative Education
Contract Type Contract
Occupational Level Temporary
Location QwaQwa Campus - QwaQwa, FS ZA (Primary)
Closing Date 15/5/2026
Description
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PERMANENT ACADEMIC STAFF WITHIN THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.
KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
Duties and responsibilities
• Provide formal teaching for undergraduate as well as post-graduate programmes.
• Act as a supervisor for postgraduate students.
• Ensure active involvement in research.
• Active involvement in curriculum development relating to Educational Management, Policy, and Comparative Education.
As an Academic Head of Department (AHD):
• Continuous planning and execution of teaching and research strategies, general organising and coordinating of administrative duties, mentoring and motivating staff, managing finances (e.g., annual budgeting, allocation of funds) of the Department.
• Provide academic leadership by creating and executing strategies to establish the Department as a leader in the discipline vis-à-vis competing international entities.
• The Head of Department is directly responsible for:
o directing the academic debate in the Department.
o influencing the school's overall climate and culture.
o energising everybody in the school and beyond; and
o shaping the future of the Department.
• Contribute to the overall leadership of the faculty.
• Frequent and continuous planning and execution of plans, general organising and coordinating of staff, students and activities, mentoring and motivating staff, structuring, and exercising overall control.
• Create an atmosphere of consensus among staff.
• Effective internal and external communication.
• The Head of Department is pivotal in linking the Department‘s staff and students with the University's management and administration through communication, negotiation, and consultation.
• Active participation and involvement in faculty management structures, attending meetings, leading project teams, representing the Department and faculty, and fulfilling the roles of liaison officer and marketer when necessary.
• Active participation and involvement in applicable UFS management structures, e.g., Senate.
• Initiate, formulate, and implement a visionary academic strategy for the Department that is aligned with and supportive of the guiding strategic documents of the UFS and faculty.
• Ensure –
o the provision of top-quality, research-informed facilitation of learning at all levels of teaching in the Department;
o relevance of content, material, and presentation in all modules.
o the enhancement of student experiences and their continuous engagement in academic debates;
o that adequate rules and regulations are in place to optimally deliver high-quality teaching and learning programmes on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels;
o adherence to all the rules and regulations of the UFS, faculty, and Department;
o quality and timely feedback on student work.
o proper and quality-driven academic advice and support to all under- and postgraduate students in the school; and
o revisiting and developing fresh learning programs will help position the school as a leader in the fraternity.
• Create and maintain a(n) –
o visionary research strategy for the Department; and
o environment that encourages research, leading to strong and active research habits and a culture of inquiry.
• Ensure that –
o every academic staff member is engaged in quality-driven and discipline-specific research;
o postgraduate students are recruited to broaden the research base of the Department; and
o ethical requirements are met.
• Guiding and supporting senior academics towards acquiring NRF ratings.
• Active engagement with the faculty research committee and the UFS Directorate of Research and Development to ensure sustainable financial support for the department’s research initiatives.
• Building an effective team of scholars through:
o planning and implementing a fair and reasonable dispensation regarding the workload of staff members in the Department;
o planning and implementing a clear and reasonable career path for every staff member in the Department, taking account of the strategic plans of the University, faculty, and Department;
o appropriate mentoring interventions where and whenever it is needed;
o managing staff performance in accordance with existing university policies and procedures.
o recruitment and selection of scholars in the case of vacancies and/or specific strategic needs whenever strategic repositioning requires expansion of academic endeavours;
o creating and maintaining a scholarship-friendly environment in the Department; and
o planning and overseeing adequate and relevant staff development.
• The ultimate responsibility in terms of financial management culminates in:
o annual budgeting;
o financial planning;
o allocation of funds; and
o financial control.
• Adherence to the UFS's financial policies and procedures.
• Encourage and actively support academic staff members to apply for external research and other grants.
Inherent requirements
• A relevant Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in Education.
• Appointment in the Faculty of Education, University of the Free State as a full-time, permanent Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor/Professor.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience in a Higher Education Environment.
• Proven experience supervising graduate master’s and/or doctoral students.
• Proven recent research record of publications in national and international accredited journals (Q1-Q4).
• Proven experience in research management and leadership of teaching and learning as either a discipline coordinator, research interest group coordinator, programme director, etc.
• Proven experience in engaged scholarship.
Competencies
Required competencies
• Results-oriented.
- The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable, and to fulfill obligations.
• Strategic thinking:
- The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
- The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.
• Business Acumen:
- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficient in using MS Office and other relevant software programmes and platforms.
• Leading
- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy, and enthusiasm.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude, and encourage people to work together.
• Building coalitions
- The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
- The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration, and working with close supervision.
Assumption of duties: 01 July 2026
Closing date: 15 May 2026
Term of office concerning the Head of Department
Five years, with a possibility of reappointment for a further term based on performance.
Allowance: A Head of School Allowance is payable and calculated in accordance with a transparent formula approved by the relevant decision-making structures of the UFS. The allowance amount is available upon request.
Enquiries: For inquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2876 or email SeitlhekoLP@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2558 / 2979 for assistance.
General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf
The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.
The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.
Additional Information
LECTURER SPECIALISING IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY AND PRAXIS / PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELLING (CONTRACT APPOINTMENT: 2 YEARS): DEPARTMENT PRACTICAL AND MISSIONAL THEOLOGY (JOB ID 6445)
Organizational Unit University of the Free State -> Faculty of Theology and Religion -> Department Practical and Missional Theology
Contract Type Contract
Occupational Level Junior Management
Location Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)
Closing Date 15/5/2026
Description
KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Present undergraduate and postgraduate modules in pastoral theology and praxis, which include the pastoral theological practices: pastoral care and counselling and/or therapy in a diverse cultural and African context.
• Actively conduct research within the broader framework of pastoral theology and praxis and its interdisciplinary potential.
• Synthesise knowledge through the publication of scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and DHET-accredited journals.
• Communicate research findings at scientific conferences.
• Source funding for research from international and national funding organisations.
• Participate actively in the professional community.
• Supervise postgraduate students at master’s and PhD levels.
• Participate actively in leadership and administration at Departmental and Faculty level.
• Participate in various scholarly engagement opportunities at learning and teaching, research, community engagement, and/or in-service learning levels.
Inherent Job Requirements:
Lecturer
• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Care and Counselling, evident from the PhD research project, or a PhD in a similar Theology/Religion degree or in Psychology with specialisation in Pastoral Care and Counselling or a related discipline
or
• Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in Practical Theology or Psychology with specialisation in Pastoral Care and Counselling or related discipline.
• A record of undergraduate theological training.
• Proven experience in the delivery of poster or oral presentations at conferences or equivalent activities.
• Provide evidence of manuscripts produced that have the potential to be converted or submitted for publication in accredited journals.
• A good academic record (attach a copy).
Recommendations:
• Preference will be given to applicants who have completed an undergraduate theology degree or a BA General degree with both psychology and theology modules.
• Registration at the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a general counsellor, which implies the ability to supervise counselling students during internships (This suggests a completed honours degree in Psychology)(attach proof).
• Preference will be given to a Counsel for Pastoral and Spiritual Counselling (CPSC) registration, no lower than Designation Level 4: Religious specialist (Affiliate with the Association of Christian Religious Practitioners (ACRP)) (attach proof).
• Active participation in local practical, pastoral and/or diaconal academic societies.
• Preference will be given to at least one (1) year of teaching experience in a higher education environment, on both an undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• The ability to teach with digital skills and competence.
• Practical experience in individual counselling and community work in a faith-based environment or with communities in need.
• Proven research record of relevant publications in nationally accredited journals.
Competencies
Key Competencies required:
• Results-Oriented:
- The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
• Strategic Thinking:
- The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
- The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.
• Business Acumen:
- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficient in using MS Office.
• Leading:
- The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
• Building Coalitions:
- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
- The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.
Assumption of duties: As soon as possible
Closing date: 15 May 2026
Salary: The salary is available on request.
Fringe benefits: (Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.
Enquiries: For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 9813 or email PhokR@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2876/ 2558 / 2979 for assistance.
General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:
ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf
The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.
The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.
OFFICER (POST LEVEL 11) JOB ID: 6439
Organizational Unit University of the Free State -> Finance -> Financial Aid
Contract Type Permanent
Occupational Level Semi-Skilled
Location Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)
Closing Date 7/5/2026
Description
KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).
Duties and responsibilities:
• Responsible for the administration, awarding and disbursement of loans and bursaries.
• Prepare templates and submit to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
• Calculate and adjust bursary amounts.
• Process private accommodation and transport applications.
• Allocate book and meal allowances for students.
• Receive, process and submit refund requests.
• Perform general office administration.
• Attend and contribute to sectional meetings, general staff meetings and quarterly staff meetings.
• Send SMS and email communication.
• Attend NSFAS workshops and give feedback to management and staff.
• Responsible for verbal and written enquiries from students, landlords, parents/guardians and donors.
• Assist students with NSFAS applications and signing of agreements.
• Assist with arrangements for donor visits.
Inherent requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree or an advanced diploma/BTech degree/postgraduate certificate on NQF Level 7 in Finance/Accounting.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ relevant financial experience.
Recommendations:
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft
• Experience within the Higher Education environment, particularly Financial Aid.
• Sound knowledge of Financial Aid requirements and rules.
Competencies
Required competencies:
• Results Orientated:
- The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
- The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Strategic Thinking:
- The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
- The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
• Business Acumen:
- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficient in using MS Office.
• Leading:
- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
• Building Coalitions:
- The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
- The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.
Assumption of duties: As soon as possible.
Closing date: 7 May 2026
Salary: The annual remuneration package, including benefits is R 464 881,91 - R 585 070,51 per annum, depending on the budget available for the position, relevant work experience and qualifications.
Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.
Enquiries:
For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2979 or email Jardines@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 7659 / 9813 for assistance.
General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:
ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf
The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.
The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.