Senior Assistant Officer

Organizational Unit University of the Free State -> Finance -> Student Finance Contract Type Permanent Occupational Level Semi-Skilled Location Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date 11/8/2026 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:

• Perform routine office administrative functions to support efficient operations.
• Attend and actively participate in sectional, general staff, and quarterly meetings.
• Manage and respond to all verbal and written enquiries from students, landlords, parents/guardians, and funding partners in a professional and timely manner.
• Verify completeness and accuracy of supporting documentation submitted by students and funders.
• Provide support to students in capturing and uploading bursary-related information onto the system.
• Assist funding partners by supplying required information and documentation as requested.
• Ensure the correct allocation of funds.
• Reconcile funder payments against student accounts and proactively follow up on outstanding amounts.
• Compile and submit reports to management on payments received from funders.
• Identify and highlight funders with growth potential and escalate opportunities to management for further engagement.
• Provide general support with other bursary-related and administrative tasks as required.
• Monitor and control bursary allocations to ensure that no student is awarded more than one full-cost bursary.

Inherent requirements:

• Grade 12 or National Vocational Certificate on NQF level 4.
• Minimum of one (1) year relevant experience in bursary, student funding, financial, or administrative support.

Recommendations:

• Knowledge and understanding of computer programs (PeopleSoft, Word, Excel and Internet).
• Work experience in the Higher Education context, especially bursaries, dealing with staff, students and parents.
• Knowledge of bursary requirements and rules.

Competencies Required competencies:

• Results Orientated:
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
• 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:

1 September 2026 or as soon as possible.

Closing date:

11 August 2026

Salary:

The annual remuneration package, including benefits is R 403 692,54 - R 506 869,63 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.az.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2558 / 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.

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.