The University Registrar strategically upholds NWU's regulatory compliance by overseeing comprehensive compliance, risk and business continuity secretarial, administrative, data and information governance and management as well as student-administration and records management functions. Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar supports institutional governance through roles as Secretary to the Council, Senate, the University Management, and all statutory bodies, with a focus on quality assurance, risk- and opportunity management, financial prudence and in alignment with the university’s digital business strategy. This role provides strategic leadership for the rendering of a defined set of corporate services, including risk, compliance and business continuity, as well as Student Academic Life Cycle Administration (SALA), Data and Information Governance, Records Administration, Student Judicial Services, Student Information Systems, and International Student Services. The Registrar also directs financial and risk responsibilities and leads people management across these areas to foster a culture of excellence and institutional compliance. The North-West University is seeking to appoint its next Registrar. The current incumbent will retire at the end of 2025 and therefore the NWU is embarking on a recruitment process to appoint a Registrar Designate as soon as possible who will be required to work with and report to the incumbent Registrar in office until the end of 2025 and then take up the role and be installed as Registrar with effect from 1 January 2026.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory (legal and administrative) higher education framework, participation in external bodies and forums.
• Serve as Secretary to the Council, Senate, and other key institutional committees, ensuring that governance structures operate effectively and in alignment with university policies and regulatory requirements.
• Facilitate transparent decision-making processes by preparing and distributing agendas, minutes, and documentation for the meetings of governance and other statutory structures.
• Provide advice and guidance on governance matters, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and promoting best practices in corporate governance. 
• Provide leadership in and give advice to university governing bodies, committees and management groups.
• Provide the necessary specialised corporate services for the effective functioning and administration of the University, Council, Senate, University Management Committee, Convocation, Board of Donors, the Institutional Forum and the Student Representative Council and its affiliated committees.
• Provide general corporate services in respect to the compilation of the institutional almanac, faculty yearbooks, the university calendar and the integrated annual report. 
• Facilitate and administer the development and ongoing review of a comprehensive set of policies and rules of council. 

• Provide oversight of Corporate Governance and Data Custodianship by providing expert services in data and information governance, records management, archival, and museum services, contributing to reliable reporting and strategic decision-making. 
• Develop and enforce policies and procedures for data security and confidentiality, in compliance with data protection laws and university standards.
• Lead initiatives to ensure compliance with data protection laws, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the Public Access to information Act (PAIA), by managing access to sensitive information and overseeing data protection practices.
• Provide strategic direction management of institutional records and information, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and supporting overall institutional effectiveness.
• Serve as information security policy owner related to role responsibility for information and data.
• Monitor access to employee and student records and systems, maintaining strict controls to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with privacy regulations.

• Ensure institutional strategies reflect compliance and governance priorities and integrate seamlessly with other university objectives.
• Contribute to long-term strategic goals, sustainability and the role of the NWU as a responsible corporate citizen by providing a corporate service to ensure the following in alignment with the university’s mission:  
• the ongoing identification of key compliance and operational challenges and to guide the development of solutions to ensure and monitor compliance;
• the ongoing identification of key risks and opportunities and to guide the development of the relevant responses to these;
• an overall end-to-end administrative and advice service in respect to ensuring business continuity in mission-critical business areas.

• Oversee the complete academic administrative lifecycle of students (all types and in all modes of delivery), from application through to graduation, ensuring a seamless and efficient process for all student types, utilising a lean business process framework.
• Oversee academic compliance through programme approval, accreditation and registration.
• Oversee the admissions process, ensuring that entry requirements and procedures align with university policies and strategic objectives.
• Manage student enrolment services, including registration, course selection, and verification processes, providing a seamless experience for students from admission to graduation.
• Establish and maintain a strong governance framework that encompasses policies, guidelines, and rules to regulate the academic administrative functions.
• Oversee the management, integrity, and security of student data, records, and academic information, ensuring adherence to data governance best practices.
• Ensure accurate and secure maintenance of student records, including transcripts, grades, and other academic documentation, in compliance with data protection and privacy regulations.
• Oversee the production and issuance, certification and verification of transcripts, degree certificates, and other academic records, ensuring timely and professional service to current students and alumni.
• Manage the student application, admissions, registration processes, and ensure that the systems are efficient, user-friendly, and integrated into institutional workflows.
• Provide and end-to-end administrative and logistical service ensuring the integrity of assessments and examinations.
• Provide effective and efficient administrative and logistical services in respect to the administering of graduation and other official ceremonies. 
• Collaborate on projects to integrate student data across systems, enabling comprehensive student support and academic planning.
• Facilitate communication between departments to ensure alignment of system processes with academic policies, enhancing the overall student experience.
• Lead the implementation, maintenance, improvement and ongoing innovation of the Student Information System (SIS), ensuring it supports the efficient management of the student academic life cycle.
• Work with IT and other relevant departments to ensure data integrity, accessibility, and security within the SIS, enabling accurate and timely reporting.
• Utilise the SIS to generate insights and reports on student progression, enrolment trends, and academic outcomes, supporting data-informed decision-making at the institutional level.

• Provide oversight for the institutional processes governing student conduct, ensuring that transgressions against university policies and rules are addressed fairly and in line with the principles of natural justice.
• Promote and protect a culture that fosters engaged and caring staff and students, where conduct and behaviour are aligned with the educational and ethical goals of the university.
• Manage and oversee the university's student disciplinary process, ensuring that all procedures align with institutional policies and legal requirements.
• Establish clear guidelines for addressing student misconduct, including academic integrity violations, behavioural issues, and breaches of the university's student code of conduct.
• Work with students and relevant parties to resolve conflicts and promote accountability through restorative approaches that prioritize learning and personal growth.
• Coordinate with Counselling Services and other support units to provide resources that address underlying issues contributing to misconduct.

• Provide leadership in the development of efficient and appropriate strategies, policies, and procedures for International Student Services in relation to matters pertaining to the student academic lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with immigration laws, visa regulations, and government policies affecting international students, maintaining accurate records and timely reporting.

• Lead the development of strategic and operational plans for areas of responsibility, ensuring alignment with the institution’s mission, vision, and long-term objectives.
• Oversee the budget allocated to the areas that fall under the portfolio to ensure financial sustainability and responsible use of resources.  
• Ensuring that quality assurance policies, processes, monitoring and mechanisms are in place and functioning effectively, promotion of a quality assurance culture. Oversees the establishment and effective operation of quality assurance policies, processes, and monitoring systems, and fostering a culture of quality assurance throughout the portfolio.
• Drive continuous innovation in academic administrative processes by leveraging new technologies and system improvements, ensuring that student service delivery evolves to meet changing institutional needs.

• Lead the strategic planning and allocation of financial and human resources within the Registrar’s portfolio, ensuring alignment with university goals and priorities.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of budgets, ensuring financial sustainability, accountability, and optimal use of resources.
• Manage the recruitment, development, and retention of staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment that supports staff growth and performance.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements in all resource management activities, maintaining transparency and integrity.
• Ensure effective, efficient and lean processes and systems design, utilisation, effectiveness and efficiency.