DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR: FINANCE & OPERATIONS

DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR: FINANCE & OPERATIONS

The University of the Witwatersrand seeks to appoint a Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Finance & Operations as part of its Senior Executive Team.

This position reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor and is a key member of the senior executive team, with executive and fiduciary responsibility for:

• Providing leadership and oversight of the budgetary, governance and treasury processes of the University and its associated subsidiaries.
• Devising the institutional finance strategy and financial models to ensure appropriate resource allocation.
• Providing leadership and oversight of the human resources and financial management functions across the University.
• Interpreting the University strategy in order to ensure sustainable infrastructural development, maintenance and quality delivery of services
• Ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in the property management portfolio.
• Oversight of procurement policies, procedures and contract management.
• Ensuring the high quality and accuracy of the University's statutory financial and human resources reports.
• Leadership of the University's financial sustainability as directed by the Finance (FINCO) and the Remunerations Sub-Committees in terms of the objectives and terms of reference set by the University's Council.
• Oversight on all accounting services leading to the accurate production of the monthly and year-end reports.   (These services include payroll, creditors, debtors, student fees and loans, and the maintenance of the asset register).

The successful applicant should ideally have a PhD qualification. In addition the successful candidate must have demonstrated skills and abilities in the following areas:

• Strategic human resources and financial management.
• High-level negotiation skills and the ability to build and maintain healthy stakeholder relations.
• Knowledge and experience in property management and large scale procurement and contract management, including outsourced services.
• Knowledge of higher education funding and other models to ensure institutional sustainability. 
• A thorough knowledge and understanding of the South African higher education environment, at a senior level.
• Ability to meet the University’s requirements for appointment at a professorial level.

Nominations for appointment to this level are also welcome, provided that they are signed by at least two persons (who are University staff or students, or members of Convocation) and are accompanied by the nominee’s written consent. Nominations should be submitted (with a brief motivation, a full curriculum vitae, the names and contact details of at least four referees and certified copies of degrees/diplomas) to: The Chair of Council (attention: Senior Director Human Resources), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 03, Wits 2050.

The appointment is for a 5 year fixed term. An attractive remuneration package, which is commensurate with similar positions in South African Universities is offered and may include annual bonus, generous leave, provident fund, medical aid, relocation expenses and remission of fees for dependents’ studying.

All enquiries, applications and nominations are treated as confidential up to the short listing stage, at which time the names of the short listed candidates are announced publicly. Further information about the position and details about the selection process can be obtained from the Senior Director: Human Resources, e-mail kgomotso.kasonkola@wits.ac.za

Closing Date: 8 June 2012

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University retains the right not to make an appointment and to verify all information provided by candidates.