Chief Officer (post level 8) Job ID: 6675

UFS International; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Medical aid scheme

Group life insurance

Housing allowance

Leave and sick leave

Service bonus

Study benefits

Job summary

The University of the Free State is seeking a Chief Officer (post level 8) to lead the Tender Office within Finance - Supply Chain Management in Bloemfontein. The role requires steering end-to-end tender administration, ensuring compliance with legislation, governance frameworks and ethical standards across all procurement activities.

You will advise management on procurement strategies, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement while mentoring interns and junior staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in supply chain, accounting, law or related field.
• Minimum of three years in tender administration and procurement.
• Experience supervising staff in a complex environment.
• Knowledge of procurement legislation and governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end tender administration to ensure compliant procurement.
• Ensure activities align with legislation, policies, governance, and ethics.
• Oversee tender documentation, ads, and communications.
• Coordinate briefing sessions, bid openings, and evaluations.
• Quality assure evaluations and recommendations for governance.
• Advise on procurement strategies, risks, and compliance.
• Monitor tender performance and prepare management reports.
• Maintain records and stakeholder relationships for service delivery.
• Support contract management and vendor management processes.
• Drive continuous improvement and enforcement of procurement policies.
• Mentor staff and develop interns within the department.

Skills

Results oriented

Strategic thinking

Business acumen

Leading

Building coalitions

Education

Bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma/B-Tech/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF Level 7 in Supply Chain Management, Accounting, Law or related field

Bachelor’s/Honours or Postgraduate Diploma on NQF Level 8 (recommended)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Chief Officer (post level 8) Job ID: 6675 - (2363)

Organizational Unit

University of the Free State -> Finance -> Supply Chain Management

Contract Type

Permanent

Occupational Level

Junior Management

Closing Date

19/11/2026

Description

Duties and responsibilities

• Lead and manage the end-to-end tender administration process to ensure efficient, transparent, and compliant procurement practices.
• Ensure all tender activities comply with applicable legislation, institutional procurement policies, governance frameworks, and ethical standards.
• Oversee the preparation, review, publication, and administration of tender documentation, advertisements, and procurement communications.
• Manage and coordinate tender briefing sessions, information meetings, bid opening processes, and evaluation activities.
• Provide quality assurance over tender evaluations and recommendations to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance with approved procurement methodologies.
• Review and approve tender evaluation reports, submissions, and recommendations before presentation to relevant governance structures.
• Advise management, departments, and Tender Committees on procurement strategies, tender requirements, compliance matters, and procurement risks.
• Monitor tender performance, analyse procurement trends, and prepare management reports to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure proper record-keeping, document control, and custodianship of all tender-related information and procurement documentation.
• Manage stakeholder relationships with internal departments, suppliers, service providers, and governance committees to ensure effective service delivery and alignment with procurement objectives.
• Provide strategic support in contract management by monitoring contract expiry dates, facilitating renewal processes, and mitigating procurement and contractual risks.
• Oversee supplier and vendor management processes, including vendor registration reviews, supplier compliance verification, and database integrity.
• Conduct procurement research and market analysis to support strategic sourcing initiatives and value-for-money procurement outcomes.
• Represent the Supply Chain Management function at Tender Committee meetings and other institutional governance forums.
• Drive the implementation and enforcement of procurement policies, procedures, and best practices across the institution.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, operational efficiencies, and enhanced procurement governance within the Tender Office.
• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop Tender Office personnel, promoting a high-performance culture focused on service excellence and compliance.
• Coordinate the training, coaching, performance management, and development of interns and junior staff within the department.
• Manage workload allocation, monitor team performance, and ensure departmental objectives, service standards, and key performance indicators are achieved.
• Provide operational support to the broader Supply Chain Management function and act as a subject matter expert on tender-related matters.

Inherent requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma/ B-Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF Level 7 in Supply Chain Management, Accounting, Law or a related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years' relevant experience in tender administration and procurement within a complex organisational environment.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising and managing staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of procurement legislation, supply chain management policies, tender administration processes and procurement governance frameworks.

Recommendations

• A professional Bachelor’s degree/Honours degree/postgraduate Diploma on NQF Level 8.
• Five (5) years' supervisory experience in tender administration and procurement, preferably in Higher Education.
• Experience in preparing, reviewing and quality-assuring tender evaluation reports and recommendations for submission to Tender Committees.
• Experience in advising management and governance structures on procurement compliance, tender-related risks and procurement processes.

Required competencies

• Results Orientated: The ability to stick with tasks, not give up, and overcome obstacles in completing one’s task.
• Results Orientated: The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Strategic Thinking: The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• Strategic Thinking: The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.
• Business Acumen: The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Business Acumen: Proficient in using MS Office.
• Leading: The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
• Leading: The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
• Building Coalitions: The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
• Building Coalitions: The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption of duties

As soon as possible

Salary

The annual remuneration package 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.

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.

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