Senior Finance Officer (Post level 9) Job ID: 6225

Are you a skilled finance professional looking for a challenging role in a dynamic university environment? The University of the Free State (UFS) is seeking a Senior Finance Officer to join their Research Development team in Bloemfontein.

This permanent, junior management level position (Post level 9) involves critical financial management and project coordination for research grants and contracts. If you have a strong accounting background and a keen eye for detail, we encourage you to apply!

About the Role

As a Senior Finance Officer, you will play a vital role in ensuring sound financial practices within the Research Development unit. Your responsibilities will span project management, financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with university policies and external regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management (Contracts and Budgets)

• Assist with preparing institutional cost recovery journals and obtain approvals from the Director of Research Development.
• Reconcile project financial information across various project entities.
• Prepare and submit periodic project management accounts for internal stakeholders.
• Co-ordinate project management activities for consortium agreements.
• Support the Director of Research Development with reporting by extracting data from RIMS and other Grant systems.
• Monitor project expenditure and other project management activities.
• Review and extract information from the research information management system (RIMS).
• Review pre- and post-award research grants, contracts, and related budgets to ensure adherence to UFS policies, internal controls, contract terms, VAT legislation, NIPMO regulations, and financial costing/budgeting principles.
• Prepare budgets to assist researchers when required.
• Identify and interpret contract obligations and risks.
• Collaborate with the RIMS team on upgrades and development for RIMS contracts and grants modules.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Prepare payment journals and obtain approvals from the Director Research Development.
• Track expenditure payments for reporting purposes.
• Assist the Director of Research Development with financial submissions by extracting data from UFS financial tools (e.g., Inquiry and General Ledger).
• Perform data analyses using Excel pivot tables and interpret financial information.
• Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in financial systems, correcting any errors.
• Assist with the preparation of tables, graphs, and fact sheets, summarizing research and financial results.
• Support the Director Research Development with updating risk management systems, RIMS, and other Grant systems/dashboards.
• Assist with developing and implementing process control procedures.
• Attend relevant meetings.
• Collaborate with the RIMS team on upgrades and development for RIMS financial modules.
• Implement office systems and procedures as required by the DRD.

General and Ad-Hoc Engagements

• Assist the Senior Director and Director Research Development with project-related activities for ad-hoc projects.

What You’ll Need to Apply

Inherent Requirements (Minimum Qualifications & Experience)

• A Bachelor’s degree, Advanced Diploma, B.Tech degree, or Postgraduate Certificate on NQF level 7 OR a 3-year National Diploma on NQF level 6 in Accounting or a closely related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience in an accounting/audit firm or similar roles aligning with the duties and responsibilities outlined above.

Recommendations (Advantageous Skills & Experience)

• An Honours degree will be a significant advantage.
• Knowledge of business drivers, business risks, and financial trends within the higher education sector.
• Demonstrated understanding of relevant financial systems (e.g., UFS Inquiry), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and Costing and Budgeting principles and best practices.
• Ability to interpret and understand applicable legislation, including Value Added Tax (VAT), Intellectual Property Rights Act, and Companies Act.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting financial contractual obligations and risks embedded in Research-related Grants, Contracts, and Agreements.
• Strong management reporting skills, including the ability to extract data from systems and conduct analyses using Excel applications (formulas, pivot tables, graphs).
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for generating reports.
• Experience in monitoring projects, reconciling accounts, and reporting project expenditure.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to function effectively in the University’s richly diverse working environment.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to a high standard of work.
• Ability to work independently in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, manage, and prioritise work effectively.
• Operational thoroughness.
• The ability to converse technically and legally.

Required Competencies

• Results Orientated: The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and adapt to evolving situations, demonstrating reliability, responsibility, and dependability.
• Strategic Thinking: The ability to focus on details, strive for perfection, approach work in a neat and organised manner, and carefully analyse information using logic to address issues and problems.
• Business Acumen: The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations, with proficiency in using MS Office.
• Leading: The ability to lead, take charge of situations, offer opinions and directions to others, and be cooperative, good-natured, and encouraging of teamwork.
• Building Coalitions: The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations, and to make decisions through consultation, collaboration, and working with close supervision.

Important Application Details

• Assumption of Duties: As soon as possible.
• Closing Date: 31 August 2025
• Salary: Available upon request.
• Fringe Benefits: (Subject to specific conditions) Includes a pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus, and study benefits.

How to Apply

Please note: Applications MUST be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website only. Applications sent via any other platform will not be considered.

Ensure your application is complete by submitting ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, along with the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Copies of your qualifications or official proof of qualifications obtained (if you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your South African Identity Document or passport for foreign nationals.
• Confirmation of employment (letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip) from your current or most recent employer (for external applicants only).

IMPORTANT: The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

Enquiries

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2979, or email JardineS@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9813 / 9848 for assistance.

University Commitment

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups, including candidates with disabilities. The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.