Programme Coordinator: Public Sector (Contract appointment: 5 years) Job ID: 6681

University of the Free State; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of the Free State seeks a Programme Coordinator: Public Sector for a five-year contract, based at the Bloemfontein Campus. The role focuses on reviewing curricula, coordinating design and accreditation, and driving quality assurance for EMS public sector programmes.

You will provide academic leadership, monitor enrolments and student progression, ensure module coherence across campuses, and engage with public sector stakeholders to enhance relevance and graduate employability

Qualifications

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of qualifications or SAQA accreditation for foreign qualifications.
• A copy of identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).

Responsibilities

• Review and renew undergraduate curricula for the public sector programme.
• Coordinate curriculum design, programme accreditation and QA processes.
• Provide academic leadership and monitor enrolment, success, progression and throughput.
• Ensure coherence and coordination of modules across campuses.
• Collaborate with other departments to provide service modules.
• Align programmes with governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Attend meetings with Deputy Dean and Academic Advisory Board.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure relevance and employability.
• Contribute to marketing and recruitment for EMS/UFS programs.

Skills

Curriculum design

Programme coordination

Quality assurance

MS Office

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Negotiation

Education

PhD on NQF Level 10

Job description

Job Title

Programme Coordinator: Public Sector (Contract appointment: 5 years) Job ID: 6681

Organizational Unit

University of the Free State -> Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences -> Department Public Administration and Management

Contract Type

Contract

Occupational Level

Temporary

Location

Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date

16/11/2026

Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PERMANENT ACADEMIC STAFF WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.

Requirements

• 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).

Duties And Responsibilities

• Review, update and renew the undergraduate curricula of the public sector programme in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS), ensuring that they meet the expectations of employers and/or industry requirements.
• Coordinate curriculum design and programme accreditation and quality assurance processes, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Directorate of Academic Planning and relevant quality assurance bodies.
• Provide academic leadership in ensuring the effective offering of these programmes, including monitoring programme enrolment numbers, student success, progression and throughput rates and coordinating the implementation of remedial actions.
• Ensure academic coherence and coordination of the various modules on these programmes (horizontal and vertical coordination) and coordinate the delivery of these programmes across campuses.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other departments that provide service modules for these programmes.
• Ensure that these programmes are offered in accordance with the governance, policy and regulatory frameworks of the University of the Free State.
• Attend and contribute to meetings called by the Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning /responsible HODs / Faculty Manager relating to effective programme management.
• Attend Academic Advisory Board meetings and ensure that the Board’s recommendations are addressed.
• Implement applicable quality management policies and regulations of the University in relation to the programmes.
• Build/manage relationships with the relevant public sector stakeholders, and use stakeholder, employer and student feedback to ensure programme relevance, graduate attribute development and employability.
• Contribute to the marketing of these programmes to prospective students, including providing content input to the programme brochures and EMS / UFS social media, and participating in open days and other UFS‑related marketing initiatives.
• Promote career opportunities to current students in the programmes.
• Provide academic / curriculum advice to students registered for, and prospective students considering the public sector programmes, including at faculty registration sessions, in line with the applicable policy and regulatory requirements of the University.
• Propose amendments to programme rules in the Faculty Rule Book in consultation with the Faculty Manager, and monitor module offerings and timetables in collaboration with the Faculty Teaching and Learning Coordinator.
• Contribute to Faculty Committees such as the Faculty Admissions Advisory Committee (FAAC), the Faculty Marketing and Communications Committee (FMCC), the Faculty Academic Planning and Quality Assurance Committee, the Faculty Readmission Appeals Committee and/or the Faculty Exam Board.

Inherent Requirements

• A relevant PhD on NQF Level 10.
• A full-time permanent member of the academic staff in the Department of Public Administration and Management at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Recommendations

• Experience in curriculum design and development at undergraduate and Honours/postgraduate diploma levels.
• Experience as Programme Coordinator or Programme Director.
• Experience in programme accreditation and quality assurance.

Competencies

Required Competencies

• Results Orientated:
• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and work to achieve success.
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
• Strategic Thinking:
• The ability to deal with several responsibilities at a time.
• 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 maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to lead, take charge of situations and offer opinions and directions to others.
• Building Coalitions:
• The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and persuade others.
• The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption Of Duties

01 March 2027

Closing Date

16 November 2026

Allowance

An allowance is payable, which is calculated according to a transparent formula approved by the relevant decision‑making structures of the UFS. The value of the allowance is available on request.

Enquiries

For enquiries, please feel free to contact me at 051 401 2558 or email at [e-mail] or [e-mail] Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 7659/2979 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.

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.