Director: Researcher Development (post level 5) (Contract appointment: five years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term) (Job ID: 6549) FULL TIME & PERMANENT NEW

Job Title

Director: Researcher Development (post level 5) (Contract appointment: five years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term) (Job ID: 6549)

Organizational Unit

University of the Free State -> Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies -> Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies

Contract Type

Contract

Occupational Level

Middle Management

Location

Bloemfontein Campus – Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date

28/8/2026

Description

This strategic leadership role is responsible for managing and expanding institutional mentoring and researcher development initiatives that support the advancement of early- and mid-career academics. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in strengthening research capacity, promoting academic transformation, and contributing to the University’s Vision 130 objectives.

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

• Lead the strategic planning, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of the University’s academic mentoring programmes.

• Manage the Future Professoriate and Women’s Mentoring Programme.

• Supervise the coordinators of the Emerging Scholar Academic Programme and Staff Doctoral Programmes and coordinate the delivery of the programmes in collaboration with programme coordinators.

• Design and develop individual support strategies to assist early- and mid-career researchers in achieving career milestones such as promotion, research funding success and NRF rating.

• Build and maintain mentoring relationships with programme participants and coordinate mentor appointments and mentoring activities.

• Coordinate programme budgets, financial administration and grant expenditure in accordance with institutional policies.

• Identify funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals and funding applications.

• Develop monitoring and evaluation systems to measure programme effectiveness and institutional impact.

• Analyse programme data and prepare reports for university leadership, governance structures and external funders.

• Collaborate with faculties, deans, heads of department and support divisions to identify researcher development needs and development strategies.

• Promote the programme through presentations, stakeholder engagement, marketing initiatives and management of programme communication platforms.

• Ensure effective governance, compliance and continuous quality improvement across all programme activities.

• Undertake tasks and responsibilities pertinent to the portfolio determined by the DVC: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies.

Inherent Job Requirements

• A PhD or equivalent Doctoral on NQF Level 10 in Human Resources, Organisational Development, Management, Higher Education or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience in managing capacity development, academic development or researcher development programmes.

• Proven project management experience, including budgeting, planning and monitoring of multiple initiatives.

• Experience working within a higher education or research environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis and report writing.

• Computer literacy, including experience with learning management systems and digital collaboration platforms.

Recommendations

​​​​​​​• Experience in mentoring academics or managing academic mentoring programmes.

• Knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design.

• Experience in grant writing and securing external funding.

• Strategic leadership of international academic networks

• Knowledge of UFS institutional transformation, academic staff development and research capacity development.

• Experience supervising professional staff and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

Competencies

Key Competencies Required:

• Strategic thinking and planning

• Exceptional organisational and project management skills

• Leadership and people management

• Financial management and budgeting

• Analytical and problem-solving ability

• Strong interpersonal and networking skills

• Initiative, innovation and continuous improvement

• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills

• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities

• Commitment to academic excellence, transformation and researcher development

Assumption of duties:

As soon as possible.

Closing date:

28 August 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 contact 051 401 9329 or email VermaakM@ufs.ac.za / 051 401 9848 or email TeateaPR@ufs.ac.za.

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.