Coordinator: Interpreting Services (post level 10): Academy for Multilingualism (Job ID: 6600)

University of the Free State; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 465,000 - 585,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Medical aid

Group life insurance

Housing allowance

Leave and sick leave

Service bonus

Study benefits

Job summary

University of the Free State seeks a Coordinator: Interpreting Services to oversee interpreting across campuses and ensure accessibility for Deaf students. You will manage interpreter schedules, develop SASL terminology with stakeholders, and mentor junior interpreters within a diverse academic setting.

The role requires SASL interpretation experience in higher education, plus coordination and communication skills to support teaching and learning access.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in SASL with at least 2 years SASL interpreting in higher education teaching and learning.
• Another SASL qualification with at least 6 years SASL interpreting in higher education teaching and learning.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Interpreting Services across UFS campuses.
• Oversee high-quality interpreting services for Deaf students in lectures, tutorials, assessments, meetings and activities.
• Coordinate interpreters’ schedules and class timetable.
• Plan, coordinate and organise interpreter training and capacity building workshops.
• Develop SASL terminology in collaboration with departments and stakeholders.
• Coordinate mentorship of junior and intern interpreters.
• Monitor and evaluate interpreters.
• Ensure compliance with accessibility and inclusion commitments.
• Serve as liaison between Deaf students, interpreters, departments and support services.

Skills

Interpreting coordination

MS Office

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree / B-Tech / Advanced Diploma in SASL

SASL qualification with 6+ years in HE interpreting

Job description

Job Title: Coordinator: Interpreting Services (post level 10): Academy for Multilingualism (Job ID: 6600)

Organizational Unit: University of the Free State -> Vice- Chancellor and Principal -> Top Management

Contract Type: Permanent

Occupational Level: Semi-Skilled

Location: Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date: 28/9/2026

Description

This post was previously advertised as Job ID: 6557. All applications received in response to the previous advertisement will automatically be considered again. Previous applicants therefore do not need to reapply. 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

• Coordinate Interpreting Services across the UFS campuses.
• Oversee the provision of high-quality interpreting services for Deaf students as requested in academic lectures, tutorials, assessments, meetings, and other institutional activities.
• Coordinate interpreters’ schedules and class timetable.
• Plan, coordinate and organise interpreter training and capacity building workshops.
• Develop South African Sign Language (SASL) terminology in collaboration with departments, internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate mentorship of junior and intern interpreters.
• Monitor and evaluate interpreters.
• Ensure compliance with institutional accessibility and inclusion commitments.
• Serve as a primary liaison between Deaf students, interpreters, academic departments, and relevant support services to ensure equitable access to teaching, learning and university life.
• Technical assistance with online classes/resources/meetings for both interpreters and lecturers.
• Preparation and conversion of online classes/resources to more accessible mediums for students with hearing impairments (SASL video/subtitling/captioning/transcription).
• Report to line manager.

Inherent Job Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or a B-Tech degree or Advanced Diploma on NQF Level 7 in the field of South African Sign Language, with a minimum of two (2) years of South African Sign Language Interpreting in higher education teaching and learning
• Another relevant South African Sign Language qualification other than the qualifications stipulated above, with a minimum of six (6) years of South African Sign Language Interpreting in higher education teaching and learning.
• A minimum of one (1) year of coordinating interpreting services.

Recommendations

• In addition to a knowledge of South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreting, a knowledge of interpreting across three or more of the following South African spoken languages (Sesotho/ Afrikaans/ isiZulu/ Setswana/IsiXhosa/English/Sepedi).
• A relevant postgraduate degree.

Competencies

• Results Orientated:
• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
• Strategic Thinking:
• The ability to plan work and to follow plans.
• 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 lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
• 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.
• The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption Of Duties

As soon as possible.

Closing Date

28 August 2026

Salary

The annual remuneration package, including benefits is R 464 881,91 - R 585 370,51 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 9813 or email [e-mail]. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2558 / 2979 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. 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.