Job Details

The main purpose of this position is to strategically lead, coordinate, and manage international research funding and partnerships in line with Vision 130. This will entail searching for and identifying suitable international funding opportunities and being the expert on calls for the submission process.
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:

Strategic Leadership
•    Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the institutional internationalisation and research funding strategies.
•    Lead strategic planning processes related to international funding diversification and partnership development.
•    Provide expert advice to senior management on emerging global funding trends and policy shifts.

Grant and Partnership Oversight
•    Identify, evaluate, and prioritise high-impact international funding opportunities.
•    Oversee institutional submissions to large-scale collaborative funding programmes (EU Horizon, NIH, etc.).
•    Manage due diligence, risk assessment, and governance of funded partnerships.

Policy and Process Development
•    Lead the development of institutional policies and procedures governing international research collaborations.
•    Ensure compliance with national and international regulations, including financial and ethical standards.
•    Standardise operational procedures to improve efficiency and accountability.

Institutional and External Liaison
•    Build and sustain strategic relationships with international donors, science councils, and embassies.
•    Represent UFS in external consortia, policy networks, and research councils.
•    Collaborate with Finance, DIRAP, Legal, and other support divisions to streamline institutional grant governance.

Capacity Building and Training
•    Develop and implement targeted workshops and mentorship programmes for researchers and support staff.
•    Facilitate knowledge exchange sessions on international funding compliance and proposal excellence.

Reporting and Analytics
•    Produce high-level dashboards, reports, and insights on institutional funding trends.
•    Provide data analytics to inform strategic decisions and performance monitoring within the Directorate.

Inherent requirements:
•    Bachelor’s degree or an advanced diploma/BTech degree/postgraduate certificate on NQF Level 7 in Research Administration, Project Management, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
•    Minimum of five (5) years’ relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:
•    A relevant postgraduate qualification on NQF Level 8 in Research Administration, Project Management, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field. 
•    A master’s degree on NQF Level 9 will be advantageous.
•    Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in research management, international grants administration, or strategic partnership development in a higher education or research environment.
•    Demonstrated experience in leading teams or complex institutional initiatives, with proven success in managing multi-stakeholder partnerships and large-scale international projects
•    In-depth knowledge of international funding frameworks (e.g., EU Horizon, NIH, NRF, British Council) and associated compliance requirements. Proven ability to interpret policy and implement governance structures for grants and partnerships
•    Advanced digital proficiency with research management systems (e.g., InfoEd, RIMS, NRF platforms).
•    Financial acumen in managing grant budgets and partnership contracts.
•    Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills at senior levels

Required competencies:
•    Results Orientated:
-    The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
-    The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations. 
•    Strategic Thinking:
-    The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
-    The ability to plan work and to follow plans.
•    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 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:
As soon as possible.

Closing date:
20 November 2025

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 2979 or email JardineS@ufs.ac.za  or Recruit@ufs.ac.za  Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9813 / 9848  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: EEA13Report_UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE FINAL SEP 2025

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.