Manager : Student Governance (AD.07.4)

Manager : Student Governance (AD.07.4)

Location : Johannesburg, South Africa

Department : Student Governance Office (SGO), within the Centre for Student Development (CSD) of the Division of Student Affairs at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Main Purpose

The Student Governance Office (SGO) is one of the four units that constitute the Centre for Student Development (CSD) within the Division of Student Affairs at the University of the Witwatersrand. The SGO promotes cooperative governance at Wits by providing comprehensive development, support and administrative services to student governance. It facilitates effective stakeholder engagement for the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and its substructures and is an important enabler of student governance engagement with university management.

Role Summary

The University seeks to appoint a Manager : Student Governance in the CSD, within the Division of Student Affairs. Reporting to the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, the incumbent will manage and oversee the day‑to‑day operations of the SGO, ensuring that all activities are aligned to provide holistic support to the SRC and the broad network of clubs and societies that contribute to a dynamic and vibrant student life at Wits.

Duties

• Provide high‑level operational leadership to shape the strategic direction of the Student Governance Office in alignment with Wits University’s strategic goals.
• Create and sustain an enabling environment for student leaders and staff to perform their daily functions in accordance with the values of the Division of Student Affairs and the University.
• Define, implement, and communicate the unit’s strategic approach to student life, student governance, and student leadership development.
• Oversee the elections of the Student Representative Council, 35 School Councils, 5 Faculty Councils, the Postgraduate Association, the Student Forum, and other student leadership structures as the Chief Electoral Officer; establish and manage systems and structures to ensure seamless, credible, and transparent elections.
• Design and deliver comprehensive student leadership induction programmes for the SRC, clubs, societies, school and faculty councils, the postgraduate association, and the student forum.
• Develop and facilitate capacity‑building and strategic planning programmes for the SRC, clubs, societies, school and faculty councils, the postgraduate association, and the student forum.
• Identify and analyse key challenges faced by student leaders, working collaboratively with the Deputy Dean and Dean of Student Affairs, and other relevant officials, to recommend and implement appropriate interventions.
• Ensure timely and adequate administrative and resource support to all student leadership structures.
• Assume overall accountability for the budget allocated to the SGO and ensure prudent financial management in compliance with institutional policies.
• Oversee and monitor the SRC budget, ensuring adherence to the University’s financial rules and procedures.
• Manage and verify the budgets of 135 Clubs and Societies, 35 School Councils, and 5 Faculty Councils, ensuring sound financial control and accountability.
• Continuously review and enhance processes and systems to strengthen implementation, monitoring, and financial control mechanisms.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with key internal stakeholders, including the Legal Office, Heads of Schools, Faculty Registrars, the University Registrar, and other relevant offices to advance institutional objectives.
• Lead the review and updating of student governance policies, including the SRC Constitution, SRC Standing Orders, Electoral rules and related frameworks governing student structures.
• Promote and uphold principles of good governance within the office and across all student structures.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and mentorship to staff within the SGO, fostering a supportive and developmental work environment.
• Facilitate the implementation of staff performance management processes in accordance with institutional policies and guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with Managers of other units in CSD to give effect to Student Affairs’ strategic imperatives and values.

Essential Requirements

Applications

Please submit a covering letter for the post, and a detailed CV with names, addresses, contact numbers and e‑mail addresses of 3 referees. Applications must be submitted through iRecruitment only. No hard copies or emails should be sent.

By submitting an application for this post the Applicant acknowledges that their personal information will be processed by the University. The Applicant consents to any further processing of their personal information as may be required for relevant verification and reference check purposes. The confidentiality of the Applicant's personal information will be maintained.

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the under‑represented designated groups.

Closing Date : 14 November 2025

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