Description of duties UP Professional and Support
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
DEPUTY DIRECTOR – PARTNERSHIPS AND SERVICES
PEROMNES POST LEVEL 4
The University of Pretoria is one of South Africa’s top research-intensive universities, dedicated to producing high-quality, impactful research that addresses complex contemporary issues. It is one of the most significant producers of research and makes a major contribution to postgraduate and postdoctoral fellowship training, as well as nurturing and supporting researchers at different stages of their research careers. It is home to the largest number of National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers. The University has developed the infrastructure and a number of research platforms, including the Future Africa Institute and Campus, which support multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary research across the institution. The University is continuously expanding its research partnerships and collaborations across the globe.
The University’s nine faculties and business school offer a wide spectrum of under- and postgraduate programmes that are recognised internationally. It awards approximately 14% of all degrees conferred annually by public universities in South Africa to a cohort of approximately 55 000 students representing the diversity of the country’s population. The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.
In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity
goals and targets, preference may be given, but it is not limited to, candidates from under- represented designated groups. In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy.
Job Purpose
The Deputy Director: Partnerships and Services is responsible aligning the HR Service Delivery and the People Strategy to drive institutional requirements. He or she will work with the Director of Human Resources to implement the HR strategic plan and meet all service and budget goals. The successful candidate will also lead and drive any required people/organisational development projects that will assist in achieving the institution’s transformational goals.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate’s main responsibilities amongst others will be to:
Operational and Service Delivery Management
• Participate in the development process of the Human Resources department’s vision statement objectives and operational strategies in liaison with HR Director.
• Plan and manage changes in the division with regard to service delivery, innovation and structural adjustments, ensuring adequate resourcing of deployed team members is maintained for effective service delivery.
• Review and propose amendments to divisional organisational structure to support operational needs and ensure effective execution of functions.
• In order to provide comprehensive and proactive HR solutions, build and lead a team of HR Business Partners and develop their abilities to build close working relationships with line managers and clients. • Provide input into the development and continuous improvement of HR systems and databases that support HR operations;
Leadership of Business Partnering
• Lead a team of HR Business Partners to ensure that they achieve their talent outcomes, operational functions and implement individual development plans in the respective departments and faculties.
• Build and lead a team of HR Business Partners, develop their skills and capabilities in order for them to foster close working relationships with their clients and provide comprehensive and proactive HR solutions.
• Lead in designing and implementing an effective HR Business Partnering model.
• Provide HR related expertise and support to clients in areas including but not performance management, workforce planning, employee relations, talent sourcing.
• Stay up to date on national and international HR trends and developments to guarantee practices’ relevance and innovation and institutional alignment with Best Practice principles in Human Resource Management and Corporate Governance. Compliance, Governance and Assurance
• Assess, audit and ensure full compliance to all statutory requirements including:
• Compliance to legislation, regulations and national policy directives applicable to the HR Department.
• Compliance to Employment Equity structures and specifications.
• Provide advice to Management on policies to ensure compliance and effective implementation of institutional strategies.
• Monitor and ensure that all statutory and internal reporting is concluded accurately and timeously.
• Attend to and resolve all HR operations audit queries.
Management of money • Develop and submit divisional inputs into the annual HR operational budget
• Monitor and control annual divisional operational budget and ensure compliance with approved HR budget.
• Adhere to all applicable financial policies and procedures of the University in the management of allocated budgeted funds.
• Provide on-going support to HR Business Partners in terms of divisional budget control and managing of funds in various cost centres and operational accounts.
Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Establish and maintain communication channels and relationships with Management and staff.
• Represent or oversee representation of the HR Partnerships and Services division on all Institutional policy making bodies or as delegated by the HR Director.
Human Resources Management
• Provide leadership to direct reports and ensure that their teams are capable of executing the HR department’s strategy.
• Provide mentorship, coaching and professional development for direct reports.
Project Management
• Initiate projects to ensure effective divisional service delivery.
• Plan, implement and manage own as well as assigned projects and give feedback to the Director-HR and/or HR Management Committee.
Minimum Requirements
• An Honour’s degree in Industrial Psychology/Human Resources Management or a related field;
• A minimum of 12 years’ proven strategic business partnering experience with at least 5 years’ Human Resources middle management experience in a medium to large organisation or institution.
• Relevant experience in HR with strong proven HR Business Partnering Team Management experience;
• Thorough knowledge of the Business Partnering Model and best practice methodologies;
• Previous experience in an environment where HR has transitioned to a Business Partnering model of working;
• Previous experience working as a Business Partner with exposure in engaging and influencing Line Managers;
• Experience in providing both strategic and operational advice and support at a senior level;
• the ability to get to all of the UP campuses whenever the university’s operations require it; Required Competencies (skills, Knowledge And Behavioural Attributes)
• Advanced in-depth and demonstrable knowledge and competence in HR principles, theory and practices;
• Advanced knowledge of HR policies and procedures;
• Advanced knowledge of various relevant legislations that guide Human Resources practices;
• Advanced understanding of HR systems and processes;
• Advanced knowledge of project management methodologies;
• Advanced strategic management and decision making skills;
• Advanced knowledge of best practice talent sourcing methods and strategies;
• Advanced change management skills;
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills;
• Highly developed negotiation, problem solving and conflict resolution skills;
• Assertiveness
• Sensitivity to and the ability to manage diversity both internally and externally;
• Advanced facilitation skills;
• Highly developed skills in relationship management and leadership; • Attention to detail
Added Advantages And Preferences
• Master’s degree in Human Resource Management or related field;
• Management qualification;
• Managerial experience at an institution of higher learning;
• A thorough understanding of the higher education sector and environment, both nationally and internationally;
PLEASE NOTE: All shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in relevant skills assessments as part of the selection process.
REMUNERATION
The total remuneration package for this position will be as determined by UP remuneration policy guidelines. (These amounts include the University’s contributions to standard UP benefits, namely provident fund, group life and funeral cover, but exclude contributions to medical aid, as the latter varies per employee.) UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applications must be submitted electronically through the Careers@UP link on the University website ( www.up.ac.za ).
In Applying For This Post, Please Attach
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae
• Certified Copies of qualifications;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact. The University reserves the right to select and consult its own referees, so applicants should be aware of this. The deadline is March 14, 2025. Applications will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.
ENQUIRIES: For the application process: Ms. JF Chimhamhiwa, Tel: (012) 420 6149, email to jeovitah.chimhamhiwa@up.ac.za
ENQUIRIES: For further information about the role: Mr. N. Wagner, Tel: (012) 420 3482, email to nicolaas.wagner@up.ac.za
Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 30 June 2025, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.
By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information inc
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