KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.                                                                                                                            The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

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:

Function Communication

•    Coordinate internal communication activities on the Qwaqwa Campus.

•    Coordinate and arrange photo and video opportunities for news purposes.

•    Assist with the distribution of institutional messages to staff and students on the Qwaqwa Campus.

•    Provide general guidance to stakeholders regarding internal/external communication.

•    Serve on the university’s Reputation Management Forum (RFM) and provide input related to the marketing and communication function on the campus.

•    Serve on the Crisis Communication Team of the Department of Communication and Marketing (DCM) and coordinate crisis communication on the Qwaqwa Campus.

Content Curation for Communication Platforms

•    Participate in the content Hub of the Department of Communication and Marketing and curate content for the communication platforms according to the assigned portfolio.

•    Ensure that content is presented timeously and in a multimedia format to optimise its use on the various communication platforms.

•    Assist with the Executive Communication support for the Campus Head for the Qwaqwa campus.

Platform Management

•    Coordinate content on the Qwaqwa Campus pages of the UFS website.

•    Coordinate the compilation of the Ke Eo Taba! Staff newsletter, including writing and editing content.

•    Mange diverse communication platforms, eg, emails and electronic media, to communicate with staff and students.

•    Measure the success of internal communication at the Qwaqwa Campus and report on findings to the Assistant Director: Internal Communication.

Project Management:

•    Coordinate the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s internal stakeholder engagement programme on the Qwaqwa Campus.

•    Assist at public events presented on the campus, eg, Open days and graduation ceremonies.

•    Build relationships with community leaders (including inviting community leaders to events on the campus).

•    Serve as a member of various committees, such as Graduations, Open Day, First Years Official Welcoming, and events Management, to source relevant information for creation.

Stakeholder Management

•    Build positive relationships with stakeholders.

•    Work closely with senior leadership of the campus to ensure that news and announcements are communicated to staff.

•    Work with colleagues across units to contribute to departmental projects.

Campaigns

•    Collaborate with staff in the department of Communication and Marketing on the conceptualisation of institutional awareness campaigns.

•    Oversee the coordination and roll-out of campaigns on identified platforms on the Qwaqwa campus.

•    Support ad-hoc institutional events arranged by the Department of Communication and Marketing.

Resource Management

•    Coordinate the costs of Qwaqwa Campus integrated marketing and communication projects against the approved budget and in line with organizational policies and guidelines for the Unit for Internal Communication.

Reporting and Benchmarking

•    Monitor engagement on staff and student communication platforms. Analyse and track engagement and feedback, provide regular reports on findings to the Manager: Internal Communication.

•    Ensure that research trends in internal communication remain current on relevant topics and report on findings to the Assistant Director: Internal Communication.

Inherent requirements:

•    A bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma/ B Tech degree/ Postgraduate Certificate on NQF level 7 or a 3-year National Diploma on NQF level 6 in Communication/ Journalism/ Media Studies or closely related field.

•    A minimum of two (2) years relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

•    Valid Driver’s Licence (attach a copy).

•    Knowledge of journalism and corporate communication.

•    Demonstrable knowledge of internal communication reporting using analytical data.

•    Demonstrable knowledge of communication planning.

•    Work experience in the higher education environment.

•    Demonstrable proficiency and experience in witing relevant content for digital and print channels/ publications, including design processes (print and electronic).

•    Experience in coordinating internal communication platforms in a higher education environment.

•    Experience in project management.

•    Basic photography skills.

Required competencies: 

•    Results Orientated:

-    The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

-    The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

•    Strategic Thinking:

-    The ability to deal with several activities at a time.

-    The ability to plan work and to follow plans.

•    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 be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

•    Building Coalitions:

-    The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.

-    The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.

Assumption of duties:

01 June 2026 or as soon as possible.

Closing date:

13 April 2026 

Salary:

The salary 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.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2876 or email SeitlhekoLP@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2558 / 7659 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.