RESEARCH SUPPORT OFFICER PF02571
Listing reference: nwu_000503
Listing status: Under Review
Apply by: 8 March 2022
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: University and Academy
Location: North West
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Remuneration: Market Related
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS)
FACULTY/ DIVISION: FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
POSITION NUMBER: PF02571
VACANCY: RESEARCH SUPPORT OFFICER
PEROMNES GRADE: P11
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: FIXED-TERM APPOINTMENT (1 YEAR)
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
Under the supervision of the Research Director, performs a variety of research and postgraduate administrative and coordinating duties for the research entity to assist with the smooth operating of the entity.
Job description
1. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION:
· Support Research Director with administrative data collection (For IPE’s and EPE’s)
· Manage the ViNCO email address and Efundi page
· Coordinate postgraduate student matters
· Assist the research director with the organising of exhibitions, colloquia, seminars, and administration for long-term projects
· Compilation of agendas for ViNCO meetings
· Minute taking during ViNCO meetings
2. RESEARCH COORDINATION:
· Assist members with administrative processes related to data collection, ethics clearance, submission of creative outputs for peer-review
· Assist research director and members in administration and organising of the ‘Untold Stories’ 3-year project (2022 – 2024); and other inter-institutional, collaborative projects
· Yearly finalisation of research and creative output data with Research Support
· Research support for ViNCO members and postgraduate students (See point 3)
3. POSTGRADUATE COORDINATING DUTIES:
· Liaise with Bursary Department, Finance Department, and Registration Department to support student registration
· Liaise with SALA and postgraduate administration to ensure that Graphic design (course-work masters) and History of Art PhD and Master’s examination processes go accordingly
· Academic year planning: Planning of Examination dates, Post-Graduate Management meeting dates, and contact session dates with programmes
· Assist students and study leaders in ethics application processes
· Compile Progress Reports for each student throughout the year
· Draft personalized letters to students throughout the year: warning or encouragement letters regarding the progress of studies; letters for employers for attendance at sessions; letters requesting permission to conduct research
· Liaise with study leaders and Director on which students will require an extension of the study period or possible termination of studies
· Carry out the administration of the above two cases (extension request forms to be coordinated and sent to RIEHD meetings for approval or compiling documented proof of lack of progress and lack of submissions, to be submitted along with termination of studies form to the Dean)
· Draft agendas and attachments for Postgraduate Progress Meetings and Scientific Committee Meetings
· Create documents that outline administrative processes for study leaders
· Examination Commission: compile data (create a spreadsheet with participation, exam, and module marks) and analysis
· Ensure that CVs of external examiners are available for the Scientific Committee’s approval
· Compile and type Information Booklets/Brochures for ViNCO
· Administer and co-ordinate application process for each programme
· Yearbook amendments: quality control and editing
· Support for all study leaders and the Research Director, concerning all postgraduate administrative forms, tasks, and requirements
· Coordinate weekly postgraduate seminars (ViNCO Junior League)
· Assist students and study leaders with documentation for Scientific Meetings
4. RESPONSILITIES OF THE SALA HIGHER DEGREE ADMINISTRATION:
· Collect and submit the notice of submission forms
· Submitting of the above notice forms to higher degrees administration (co-ordinate receipt and submission of solemn declaration forms and obtain signatures from the Research Director and Dean to submit to higher degrees administration)
· Ensure that all supporting documentation accompanies the solemn declaration form and accompanying documents (language editor’s letter, Turnitin report, copies of ID, late submission forms when required)
· Co-ordinate submission of electronic and printed examination copies (in unique cases) of dissertations and theses to higher degrees administration
· Co-ordinate receipt of the amendments form and table of corrections for final copies
· Obtain the signature of the Research Director for the above form and ensure that report of corrections is submitted along with the signed amendments form
· Submit the above form and reports to MA and PhD Administration to facilitate the graduation of students
· Control and checking of the graduation list sent to the faculty from the higher degrees administration
5. WEBSITE, BRANDING AND MARKETING:
· Assist Research Director with maintaining ViNCO website and postgraduate information on School of communication studies site
· Assist Research Director with creating content for ViNCO website
· Work with the institutional office to manage the correct ViNCO branding (letterheads, logos, CID, PowerPoint templates)
6. ETHICS COORDINATION:
· Assist ViNCO researchers and students with ethics applications and administration
· Receive ethics numbers and pass them on to personnel
· Attend HSSREC meetings and training sessions
· Filing of ethics documentation
7. FINANCE DUTIES
· General financial administration on Kuali Financial System
· Travel and accommodation
· Financial reconciliation
· Assist research director with annual budgeting
· Monthly reporting
· Vendor administration
· Project financial management
· Research fellow administration
· Catering administration
· Travel and accommodation
· Contracts
· Functions
Minimum requirements
· BA Hons Degree in History of Art, or from suitable subjects in the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is essential.
· MA Degree in History of Art, Graphic Design, or from the subject fields of Communication studies, Languages, Social Sciences is desirable.
· Membership of South African Visual Arts Historians is desirable.
EXPERIENCE/S:
· 1-year administrative experience in a research environment (general office and meeting administration, organisation, and management, including record management) is essential.
· 1-year financial experience in the Kuali Financial System is essential.
· 1-year postgraduate coordination experience in HDA form processing and internal NWU postgraduate processes is essential.
· 1-year research Support experience in uploading of research and creative outputs is desirable.
KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
· Takes initiative and actively looks for ways to help staff, researchers, and students
· Perform basic mathematical operations and can draw up budgets with accuracy.
· Communicate effectively and in courteous manner with students, visitors, and staff.
· Effective time management essential
· Demonstration of language proficiency to function optimally in the various multilingual environments of the NWU
· Highly organised individual and pays attention to detail.
The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Dr Annemi Conradie-Chetty on 018 299 4095
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Dolly Lebepe – Dolly.Lebepe@nwu.ac.za
CLOSING DATE: 09 March 2022
PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible
Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official nwu vacancy website.
Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
