Academic Co-ordinator: Undergraduate and Honours, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Department for Education Innovation

**UP Professional and Support**:
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION INNOVATION

MASTERCARD FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM

POST TITLE: ACADEMIC CO-ORDINATOR: UNDERGRADUATE AND HONOURS

PEROMNES POST LEVEL: 008- The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development._

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- ** Academic Support**:

- Provide academic support and advising to students on scholarships.
- Assist students with course selection, academic planning, and research opportunities.
- Collaborate with faculty academic advisors and faculty mentors, and monitor academic progress and performance of students on scholarships.
- ** Student Support**:

- Collaborate with the Program team to organise workshops, information-sharing sessions, and outreach activities to promote and ensure an environment that enables scholars to succeed and complete their studies within minimum time.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for undergraduate and Honours students seeking information and assistance regarding scholarship.
- Support activities related to Scholar Representatives and assist in facilitating programmes.
- Liaise with the Program Psychologist, Entrepreneurship/Community Engagement Coordinator, Program Manager for appropriate support for the Scholars.
- ** Data Management and reporting**:

- Maintain accurate records and data of students’ interactions, academic progress using the Anthology Reach, and generate regular reports
- Recommend interventions needed for improvement based on Scholars’ progress.
- ** Recruitment and Application Process Coordination**:

- Participate in the recruitment process and promotion of the scholarship though building relationships with high schools and relevant stakeholders.
- Ensure that the recruitment for prospective students is accessible to and inclusive of a targeted student profile (females, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, and youth with disabilities.)
- ** Selection and On-boarding**:

- Engage professionally with Scholars’ concerns in a supportive, caring, fair and transparent manner.
- Collaborate with Program team to identify prospective students, organise selection committees, coordinate review meetings, and ensure adherence to selection criteria.
- Participate in the planning, onboarding and orientations of new Scholars, and provide assistance with adhoc requests by the Senior Manager and Program Manager.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

- Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Education, Counselling, Student Affairs) with at least five years of work experience in the following:

- Academic Support
- Student Support
- Data Management and reporting
- Recruitment and Application Process Coordination
- Selection and On-boarding

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

- Advanced in Computer literacy;
- General knowledge of all functions and processes regarding undergraduate and postgraduate Scholars;
- In depth knowledge of all functions and process regarding international students;
- Knowledge of degree courses presented at UP;
- Knowledge of administrative processes for registered students, undergraduates and postgraduates;
- Knowledge of processes relating to graduation certificates and academic records;
- Knowledge of Immigration Act and consequences;
- Building relationships with embassies in South Africa and South African missions abroad;
- Knowledge of embassy protocol;
- Self-control and drive, positive attitude;
- Meticulousness and responsibility;
- Commitment to student success;
- Excellent Interpersonal skills, empathy, inclusivity, and the ability to build rapport with diverse student populations;
- Exceptional written and spoken communication and language skills in English;
- Ability to:

- perform in real time, high stress environment;
- handle conflict and solve problems;
- balance and prioritise multiple tasks;
- think in innovative ways;
- meet deadlines.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

- At least two years in:

- Promoting the Mastercard Foundation scholarship to targeted youth in Africa;
- Academic advising;
- Experience in Project Management;
- Coordinating the selection process;
- Experience in managing externally funded educational projects;
- Overseeing and managing the scholarship awards;
- Staying abreast of trends in recruitment and processes;
- Managing data, reporting and exercising confidentiality (POPI Act.)
- Driver’s licence

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.
- A comprehensive CV;
- Certified copies of qualifications;

CLOSING DATE: 17 September 2025
- The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity, and diversity._- The University of Pretoria reserves the r