Manager: Grants & Contracts

UWC Sport; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in South Africa is seeking a Grants & Contracts Manager for comprehensive oversight of donor-funded projects. The ideal candidate will possess an honours degree in accounting, management experience, and proficiency in financial oversight. Strong skills in MS Excel and overall communication are essential. This full-time permanent role is based in Bellville, and offers competitive compensation along with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 5 years of management experience required.
• Deep understanding of complex donor and state funder requirements.
• Experience in financial management and leadership is essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial and administrative aspects of donor-funded grants.
• Ensure compliance with donor and university policies.
• Facilitate transactions and business processes.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

Communication

Planning and organising

Analytical thinking

Building interpersonal relationships

Education

BCom Accounting Honours degree or equivalent NQF Level 8

Completed SAICA articles

Tools

Infor LAN or any other ERP system

Job description

Title of Position

Manager: Grants & Contracts

Post Number: 5285

Faculty/Department: University of the Western Cape → Finance & Services → Grants & Contracts

Type of Position: Permanent - Full Time

Length of Contract Period:

Location: Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)

Closing Date: 25/11/2025

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

The Grants & Contracts Manager is a management role responsible for the comprehensive financial and administrative oversight of all donor-funded grants and contracts, from award notification through project closeout. Reporting directly to the Director: Financial & Management Accounting, the incumbent will ensure stringent compliance with donor and state regulations and university policies, while providing expert strategic guidance and operational support to budget owners, project staff, and senior university leadership. The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of complex donor and state funder requirements (e.g., EU, Welcome Trust, Gates Foundation, NRF, DSI, MRC, WRC etc.), exceptional financial management and leadership skills, and a steadfast commitment to fostering a compliant, efficient, and high-performing research environment.

The candidate is responsible for the management of grants and contracts that include the following:

• Budgetary control and overview.
• Reporting, internal and external.
• Fostering relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Writing and implementation of policies.
• Alignment of business processes to support policies and procedures.
• Highlight areas of concentration of risk.
• Audit compliance.
• Management of the department.
• Management of finances and reporting.
• Facilitation and enabling of transactions and business processes.

The candidate will deal with all financial and management accounting, Grants and Contracts policy compliance, system support, staff training and development; and related matters of donor-funded grants and contracts.

Minimum Requirements

• BCom Accounting Honours degree or equivalent NQF Level 8
• Completed SAICA articles
• 5 years management experience

Skills And Competencies

• MS Word (including creating templates, using tables etc.); MS Excel (non‑negotiable) including developing reports, using lookups and pivot tables; and an e‑mail and scheduling application (preferably G‑mail)
• Experience with Infor LAN or any other ERP system will be a distinct advantage
• Planning and work scheduling of multiple requirements in this sector
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of applicable Statutory and Legislative requirements
• Analytical, financial and operational thinking
• Building interpersonal relationships
• Communication
• Planning and organising
• Adaptability/ flexibility
• Managing and working in diverse teams
• Written communication

In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and include anything else you deem exceptional and outstanding to be considered by the selection panel. In addition, please attach a cover letter motivating your suitability, a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details of three referees, and your highest qualification to your online profile.

To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job link below or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone]/9763/9708/3551/3756 or email: e‑[e-mail].

DISCLAIMER

By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.