Research Incentive Grants Officer: Department Of Research And Innovation

University Of Fort Hare; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution in South Africa seeks a candidate for a role involving the coordination of research outputs and adherence to DHET requirements. Candidates must possess an Honours degree and at least 4 years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include facilitating audits, disbursing funds, and ensuring compliance with research policies.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in applying DHET rules and financial accounting for awarded grants.
• In-depth knowledge of DHET processes and incentive grants.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate research outputs for submission to DHET.
• Facilitate annual capturing of research outputs on the online system.
• Verify adherence to standards and rules.
• Disburse research output subsidy funds.

Skills

Computer competency in Microsoft Office

Good interpersonal skills

Problem-solving capability

Detail-oriented

Time management competency

Education

Honours degree

Job description

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS :

• Honours degree
• At least 4 years of relevant work experience
• Experience in the process of applying DHET rules, monitoring research incentives, and financial accounting for awarded grants is essential
• In‑depth knowledge of DHET rules and processes relating to incentive grants and page fees

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE :

• Coordinating and screening research outputs for submission to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
• Facilitating the annual capturing of research outputs on the online system for all Faculties, Research Institutes, Research Centres, Research Chairs, Research Niche Areas, and other UFH research entities.
• Verifying adherence to standards & rules
• Circulating & coordinating research outputs for amendment / compliance with standards
• Updating details on the online research outputs capturing systems
• Facilitating Research Outputs Audits
• Verifying units per submitted research output based on the number of authors and their institutional affiliations.
• Contacting researchers and requesting all the information required by the auditors
• Providing information and documentation requested by auditor
• Disseminating information regarding DHET rules, grant policy
• Disseminating adverts and calls for submissions
• Disseminating updated DHET list of accredited journals
• Disseminating DHET and the university's research‑related policies
• Facilitating policy awareness workshops for researchers and postgraduate students
• Disbursing research output subsidy funds to research cost centres of the awarded researchers
• Preparing incentive loading forms for submission to line manager for approval
• Facilitating opening research accounts for newly awarded researchers
• Preparing student incentive loading forms submission to line manager for approval
• Liaising with Finance Department to drive transfer of funds and payment of requisitions
• Monitoring cost centre allocations to ensure accuracy and prompt disbursement of research incentive funds
• Report on research units metrics
• Drawing up reports on the number of publication units produced by each researcher
• Drawing up reports on the number of publication units produced by each Faculty, Research Institute, Research Centres, Research Chairs, Research Niche Areas, and other UFH structures.
• Drawing up reports on amount of incentive funds awarded per Faculty

COMPETENCIES :

• Computer competency in the Microsoft pack (Excel, PowerPoint)
• A high level of professional and ethical conduct.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Quantitative and analytical competencies
• Problem‑solving capability
• Detail‑oriented
• Time management competency

Closing Date : 26 October 2025

Interested applicants who meet the criteria are invited to :