PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To provide key support for the CLES SARChi Chair, by performing a wide variety of specialised research and administrative functions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1.           System and Administrative Support

•                          Responsible for the day-to-day administration of the SARChI CLES Chair.

•                          Responding to student queries.

•                          Assist with the drafting and management of the Chair’s annual work plan.

•                          Assist with portfolio management and division of functions among researchers in the Chair

•                          Assist with the division of peer reading functions among researchers in the Chair.

•                          Schedule, set up, and prepare virtual and real-life meetings and workshops, including taking minutes of meetings as required

•                          Responsible for e-filing and overseeing correct filing according to an existing filing system

•                          Design of forms and data management

•                          Responsible for student bursary and student progress reporting administration

•                          Responsible for the administrative aspects of conference organization

•                          Handle general enquiries from staff, students, and the public, and receive visitors

•                          Maintain work schedules, manage diaries, and arrange appointments

•                          Make travel arrangements, such as bookings and claims

•                          Responsible for communication with the Faculty of Law and the NWU Institutional Research Office

•                          Perform procurement tasks for the functions of the Chair and visits to the Chair, including physical office administration.

•                          Ensure operation of equipment by completing preventative maintenance requirements, calling for repairs, maintaining equipment inventories, and evaluating new equipment and techniques for specified projects.

•                          Responsible for ensuring that the Chair’s website is always updated.

•                          Provide support in the marketing of the Chair’s research and activities

•                          Assist the Chair holder with the Annual Progress Report for the National Research Foundation of South Africa.

•                          Responsible for the technical and language editing of reports of the Chair.

2.           Research support

•                          Assist with the conceptualization and execution of collective research projects of the Chair.

•                          Responsible for book orders and maintenance of the CLES library and internal loan system.

•                          Participate in the development and facilitation of the new LLM and PGDip Programme in Local Government Law and Policy to be hosted by CLES.

•                          Participate in the development and facilitation of short courses for councilors and city-level officials.

•                          Assist with the co-editing of books.

•                          Co-supervision of LLM students.

•                          Publish one case note or article per year.

3.           Ad hoc tasks

•                          Perform ad hoc administrative tasks as assigned for the general functioning of the Chair.

•                          Perform ad hoc administrative tasks as assigned in support of the work of the Research Unit in the Faculty of Law.

•                          A master’s degree (NQF level 9) in Law (local government related).

•                          A minimum of four (4) years’ experience in a scholarly legal research and publication environment.

•                          A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in a research environment within the university sector.

•                          A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in any of the required areas of work e.g. logistics and project management

•                          A minimum of one (1) year experience with postgraduate study supervision.

    ADDED ADVANTAGES & PREFERENCES:

•                          A Phd (NQF level 10) in Law (local government law related).

•                          A Membership with scholarly legal associations such as the Environmental Law Association of South Africa and the

•                          Association of Urban Legal Scholars.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

•                          Ability to conduct and oversee legal research in the field of environmental law, local government law, constitutional law,

•                          and/or public finance law

•                          Ability to perform and organize administrative tasks effectively and to meet deadlines

•                          Formal Training in MS Office, web design, virtual meeting platforms/applications, project management and research

•                          methodology.

•                          Knowledge of administrative procedures and systems, such as word processing, designing forms, and other office

•                          procedures, such as minute-keeping

•                          Ability to supervise postgraduate (LLM) research and knowledge of the postgraduate study process

•                          Knowledge of financial administration and budgeting

•                          Demonstration of English language proficiency

•                          Confident and efficient use of a range of software packages, including MS Office

•                          Ability to effectively liaise and communicate with students, colleagues, partners of the Chair, and the public by responding

•                          to requests and correspondence promptly and effectively

•                          Excellent written language ability with respect to spelling, grammar, and punctuation to produce and edit letters, minutes

•                          of meetings, reports, and email correspondence

•                          Scholarly workshop/conference and meeting organization and coordination

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

•                          Ability to manage project teams

•                          Ability to work independently or as part of a team

•                          Discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information

•                          Self-confident

REMUNERATION:

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:                   Prof. Howard Chitimira on 0183892026

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mr. Byron Louw on 018 285 2304

CLOSING DATE:                                                                                                               08 June 2025

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.

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