Programme Manager (Three-year contract appointment) - Department for Education Innovation

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION INNOVATION

PROGRAMME MANAGER (THREE-YEAR CONTRACT APPOINTMENT)

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 6

The Manager will provide inspirational, energetic leadership and a compelling vision for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme (MCFSP) at the University of Pretoria (UP). One defining principle of the MCFSP is that scholars must have demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others as well as academic excellence. It is the responsibility of the Manager, in collaboration with other MCFSP staff at UP, to ensure that these strengths are celebrated and optimized. Scholars must be supported to be empathetic, explore problems, take up challenges and make the best use of opportunities offered on the MCFSP with the end goal in mind – going back to their countries and giving back.

The Manager will develop a scholars’ support and development vision and model that will speak to the transition challenges of students empathetically and leverage the existing development expertise and services available at the University. Critically, this person must be able to engage with scholars’ concerns in a caring, supportive, fair and transparent manner.

The incumbent will also manage and provide leadership to the staff employed to address the needs of scholars. The Manager must be able to energize and mould diverse individuals into a high functioning team to serve the vision of the MCFSP, facilitate processes around recruitment, selection and onboarding as well as solve problems that scholars encounter.

The Manager will need to engage effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including scholars, donors, the University Executive, deans, senior managers and academic and administrative staff at the University, but also networks of organizations across the continent and sometimes government agencies concerned with the granting of visas. The Manager will need to have strong business acumen and operations management skills, polished interpersonal and communication skills, and the maturity to be an effective representative of the MCFSP and the University of Pretoria.

The Manager should have the ability to offer effective solutions to complex problems and communicate complex ideas concisely and persuasively. The Manager must be comfortable in the use of data and technology. Additionally, competent stewardship of the MCFSP and ethical leadership in administering the MasterCard Foundation’s resources will be expected.

The Manager will be required to ensure that the scholars in the MCFSP remain on track to obtain the qualifications for which they are enrolled, within the prescribed period of time. The incumbent will co-ordinate aspects of the selection process for the MCFSP, drive the operation of the services provided and manage any associated event planning. The incumbent will also be responsible for rigorous reporting on student progress, finances and other aspects of the programme.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent’s key responsibilities will include:

• Overall programme planning, development, implementation and reporting;
• Leadership of the MCFSP application process at UP;
• Monitoring of student support and related follow-up and administration;
• Liaising with external service providers;
• Hosting international visitors for the Foundation and liaising with international colleagues.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A Master’s qualification in a relevant field;
• 10-15 years’ work experience, including:
  • Experience in leading complex change management projects, including setting the vision and ethos, business development, management consulting or operations;
  • Experience in project management, data analytics and reporting;
  • Experience managing and coaching staff;
• A valid driver’s licence.

 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• The ability to lead and inspire in a prestigious programme aimed at improving the lives of people across Africa as well as the lives of the individual scholars;
• Empathy for young people, their transitional challenges and their aspirations;
• The capacity to inspire, and be inspired by, young people;
• Capacity to navigate and constructively engage with cross-boundary/cultural diversity;
• The capacity to mould and lead a high-performing team committed to student success and the achievement of the Programme’s goals;
• The ability to think strategically, using strong analytical skills to identify and implement solutions to address complex business problems, and then to effectively influence a wide cross-section of people;
• Highly developed organizational skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, complex academic environment;
• Highly developed relationship management skills;
• Advanced project management and administrative skills;
• Exceptional leadership and management abilities;
• Solutions orientated with strong business acumen;
• Ability to leverage technology to solve issues in new ways;
• Fact-based problem solving skills;
• Attention to detail;
• A passion for education and creative problem solving;
• Demonstrable skills in managing formative learning activities and harnessing learning for continuous Programme improvements;
• The ability to get things done with a strong ‘end-product’ orientation.

 

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• A doctorate in a relevant field as incumbent works with academics and postgraduate students;
• At least five years’ prior experience at a tertiary institution working towards student development and success or working on fellowship and scholarship programmes in a leadership as opposed to administrative role;
• Experience working in higher education in South Africa and in or with other African countries.

 

The all-inclusive remuneration package for this contract position will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines.

 

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP.

In applying for this post, please attach:

• A comprehensive CV;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact.

 

CLOSING DATE: 1 March 2018

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES: Prof. Wendy Kilfoil, Tel: (012) 420 2080

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 May 2018, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.