Director: Student Life and Governance ( 5years)

Director: Student Life and Governance ( 5years)

Job Overview

• Position: Director: Student Life and Governance (Post Level 5)
• Job ID: 6513
• Institution: University of the Free State (UFS)
• Department: Student Affairs, Sport, Arts and Culture
• Campus: Bloemfontein Campus, Bloemfontein, Free State
• Employment Type: Contract
• Contract Duration: Five years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term
• Occupational Level: Middle Management
• Closing Date: 20 July 2026
• Starting Date: As soon as possible.

Job Description

The Director: Student Life and Governance is responsible for providing strategic, operational, and governance leadership for the University’s Student Life and Student Governance portfolio across all three campuses. The position focuses on enhancing the student experience, promoting ethical governance, developing student leadership, strengthening campus culture, and supporting the University’s Vision 130 through integrated student development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for Student Life and Student Governance.
• Align student development initiatives with Vision 130 and Student Affairs strategies.
• Assist the Executive Director with planning, implementing, and monitoring strategic initiatives.
• Strengthen student experience, governance stability, and campus life.
• Develop student life and governance policies, frameworks, and standards.
• Build strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.

2. Governance and Compliance

• Oversee Student Representative Council (SRC) governance and student leadership structures.
• Manage student constitutions and electoral processes.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, UFS Statute, governance protocols, and institutional policies.
• Promote ethical leadership, accountability, and transparent governance.
• Work with Legal Services on governance and disciplinary matters.
• Identify governance gaps and review policies where necessary.

3. Operational Leadership

Provide strategic oversight of the following units:

• Student Leadership Development
• KovsieACT (Co-curricular Student Development)
• Student Research and Development Office
• Student Governance

Additional responsibilities include:

• Promoting collaboration among all units.
• Ensuring an integrated student development model across campuses.

4. Student Leadership Development

• Lead student leadership development programmes.
• Promote ethical leadership and governance capability.
• Mentor and advise student leadership structures.
• Develop leadership pipelines for emerging student leaders.
• Coordinate leadership training aligned with higher education trends.

5. Student Engagement and Co-Curricular Development

• Lead impactful co-curricular programmes and student activities.
• Build partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the quality of KovsieACT programmes.
• Support experiential learning and graduate attribute development.
• Identify emerging student needs and improve programmes accordingly.

6. Risk, Crisis and Stability Management

• Lead responses to student-related crises and unrest.
• Identify and mitigate institutional risks.
• Support policy improvements to enhance institutional stability.
• Promote student well-being through proactive risk management.

7. Institutional Advisory and Representation

• Advise the Executive Director on student life and governance matters.
• Represent the division on University committees and governance structures.
• Prepare reports, analytics, and trend analyses.
• Represent the Executive Director at meetings when delegated.

8. People and Resource Management

• Lead and develop staff across the Student Life and Governance portfolio.
• Manage performance, professional development, and resource allocation.
• Oversee budgeting and financial management.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

9. Monitoring, Evaluation and Research

• Promote evidence-based decision-making.
• Monitor and evaluate strategic programmes.
• Analyse institutional and sector data.
• Use research findings to improve planning, policy, and student development initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A Master’s degree (NQF Level 9) in one of the following:
  • Higher Education
  • Social Sciences
  • Public Administration
  • Organisational Leadership
  • Law
  • Or a related field
• At least 8 years of progressive management experience, including 5 years at middle management level in:
  • Higher education
  • Governance
  • Student affairs
  • Or a related environment
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Student governance and representative structures
  • Student leadership development
  • Student engagement
  • Management of units within the portfolio
  • Strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting
  • Policy development and governance
  • Budget and financial management
  • Risk management and crisis response
  • Monitoring, evaluation, and evidence-based decision-making.

Required Competencies

Results Orientation

• Ability to set and achieve high performance standards.
• Adaptability in changing environments.
• Emotional resilience and self-control.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.

Strategic Thinking

• Strategic planning skills.
• Change leadership.
• Governance and compliance expertise.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship building.

Business Acumen

• Programme management.
• Crisis and risk management.
• Policy development.
• Conflict resolution.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Leadership

• Ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
• Promote teamwork and collaboration.

Building Relationships

• High emotional intelligence.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and networking abilities.

Salary and Benefits

Salary

• Available on request.

Benefits

Subject to applicable conditions:

• Pension scheme
• Medical aid
• Group life insurance
• Housing allowance
• Annual leave
• Sick leave
• Service bonus
• Study benefits.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Copies of qualifications or official proof of qualifications
• SAQA evaluation (for foreign qualifications)
• South African ID or passport (for foreign nationals)
• Proof of current or previous employment (appointment letter, contract, service certificate, or recent payslip for external applicants)

Important: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Information

• Application Method: Applications must be submitted online through the official UFS vacancies website.
• Closing Date: 20 July 2026
• Commencement of Duties: As soon as possible.