UNISA Director Special Projects Vacancies 2023 In Pretoria, Gauteng

REFERENCE NUMBER: AP1015
JOB TITLE: Director Special Projects (P4) – 5 Year Fixed Term
LOCATION:
BACKGROUND TO POSITION:
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:
Pretoria (UNISA Main Campus)
UNISA is a dedicated distance Higher Education
Institution which is funded by the Department of
Education and Training in South Africa. In keeping
with its mandate as a Comprehensive, Open and
Distance Learning (CODeL +) Institution which
offers a variety of academic and career-focused
programmes, UNISA is inviting applications for the
position of Director: Special Projects.
The purpose of the incumbent in this position will be
to lead special projects and deliver project
management, strategic alignment and
implementation support for key organisational
projects and initiatives as prioritised and assigned
by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor for specific
initiatives to advance the mission, vision, and
strategy of the university.
Key Performance Area 1: Strategic Direction
and Alignment:
• Developing operational plan and KPI’s in
support of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor’s
vision to support the institution’s overall
vision and strategy,
• Executing the directorate’s operational plan
and procedures to support the CODeL+
2016-2030 Strategy alignment with the
directorate’s operational plans,
• Providing direction in the Directorate’s
area(s) of specialisation,
• Strengthening support for the Principal and
Vice-Chancellor’s Scientific and Academic
work.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Description Page 2 of 5
Key Performance Area 2: Operational
Leadership and Execution:
• Leading all facets of project planning and
evaluation (i.e., design plans, develops
assessments, collect data, analyse data, and
report results),
• Acting on the authority of the Principal and
Vice-Chancellor to oversee critical projects
with a primary focus on key initiatives
affecting overall university performance and
typically requires cross-functional resource
allocation and coordination,
• Establishing/Coordinating projects or
commitments directly involving the Vice
Principal and Vice-Chancellor and his/her
direct reports while ensuring that the scope
and direction of each project is on schedule
and in alignment among key stakeholders
and where applicable, recommends
mitigating approaches,
• Leading and coordinating the success of
special projects and initiatives by facilitating
the process of project solicitation, selection,
prioritisation, implementation, monitoring
and intervening where appropriate,
• Developing and maintaining an inventory of
critical path projects in which the Principal
and Vice-Chancellor is especially interested
and/or for which their awareness and
involvement are essential,
• Interpreting, communicating, and
implementing policies and procedures
pertaining to and consistent with the
functions of special projects,
• Documenting processes and automating
procedures to ensure efficient operations,
• Leading the development and
implementation of a plan for evaluation of
progress relative to special projects,
• Preparing and delivering quarterly updates
on projects’ status to the Principal and ViceChancellor to demonstrate meaningful
progress on planning and meaningful value
to the staff, colleges, and students,
• Directing and supporting the implementation
of special projects as prioritised and
identified by the Principal and ViceChancellor,

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Description Page 3 of 5
• Working directly with senior leadership to
identify and prioritise opportunities and risks
associated with projects,
• Directing and coordinating work efforts of
cross-functional teams, ensuring that work
adheres to quality standards and is achieved
by project deadlines,
• Developing and managing project budgets,
and track project milestones,
• Utilise opportunities to showcase university’s
project management approaches with
donors, partners, and other stakeholders,
• Evaluating project progress and results and
reporting them to leadership, ensuring that
changes to scope, budget, resources, and
risk are communicated in a timely way,
• Ensuring cross organisational collaboration,
shared success and joint action when leading
working groups for special projects or
initiatives,
• Fostering the relationships and networks
with internal and external stakeholders,
• Coordinating the activities within the
Directorate,
• Promoting intergroup collaboration.
Key Performance Area 3: 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 budget of the Office
of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor,
• Directing and monitoring the Directorate’s
expenditure within budgeted parameters and
reporting on variances periodically,
• Managing the process of the 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

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Description Page 4 of 5
models and the linkage thereof to
remuneration and benefit models
Key Performance Area 4: 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.
Key Performance Area 5: 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 the
Directorate specific matters,
• Ensuring proper record keeping of all aspects
within field of responsibility.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Description Page 5 of 5
INHERENT CRITERIA: Qualification:
• PhD Degree and registration with relevant
professional body where applicable,
• Associate Professor or Professorship position
is highly recommended.
Experience:
• Minimum 10 years of relevant work
experience with at least 5 years in a
management role,
• Project Management experience is
recommended.
APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS:
➢ A letter of motivation.
➢ An abridged and comprehensive CV.
➢ Completed UNISA application form.
➢ Names and contact details for at least 3 referees
one of which must be from your present
employer.
➢ Certified copies of matric and degree certificates
and Identity Document.
➢ Proof of SAQA verification of foreign
qualifications, where relevant.
To apply please forward your application quoting reference number AP1015 to
Genevieve Michel c/o at: [email protected]