Business Ethics Officer: Centre for Governance, Ethics and Compliance

Job Details

• Expires 4 June 0 days left to apply

• Reference number: REG/101/0525
• Province: Western Cape
• Type of engagement: Permanent appointment
• Posted: May 15th

Background to Position

Stellenbosch University

Registrar’s Responsibility Centre

Centre for Governance, Ethics and Compliance

Business Ethics Officer (Post Level 7)

(Stellenbosch Campus)

Ref. REG/101/0525

The Centre for Governance, Ethics and Compliance at Stellenbosch University (SU) consists of the Institutional Secretariat and Publications, SU Archives, Compliance Office and Office for Business Ethics. The Centre is also responsible for general governance of Statutory Bodies. The Centre reports to the Registrar.

Purpose of the Office for Business Ethics.

The Business Ethics Officer will be responsible for the establishment and further development of the Office for Business Ethics Office.  This Office is the first point of call in all ethics matters that are not research related. The Business Ethics Officer must provide advice and guidance to internal stakeholders. The main purpose of the Office is to expand the existing ethical culture and to enable internal stakeholders to place ethics at the top of their minds when decisions need to be made.

Job Description

Duties:

• Establishing and further developing the Ethics Office.
• Developing SU’s ethics statement and ensuring that the Rectorate’s leadership commitment is published annually. 
• Responsible for the establishment of the Operational Ethics Committee in consultation with the Deputy Registrar. The Business Ethics Officer will act as secretariat for this committee as well as for the Social and Business Ethics Committee.
• Conducting Ethics Risk Assessments across the institution as a whole.
• Developing an ethics strategy for the approval by the Rectorate, various committees and Council. 
• Internally reviewing all ethics-related policies to ensure that they are aligned with the SU ethics strategy. 
• Assisting with the review and implementation of the code of ethics (Code 2040).
• Developing and implementing ethical decision-making training, how to deal with ethical dilemmas, how to avoid and/or manage conflicts of interest, and enabling managers to train the team members reporting to them. 
• Developing and maintaining confidential mechanisms for the handling and processing of complaints and allegations related to ethics or conflicts.
• Promptly investigating complaints and allegations of ethical wrongdoing or conflicts of interest. Preparing written investigative reports as necessary.
• Preparing quarterly reports for management, the Social and Business Ethics Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee (relating to ethics risks) and annual reports to Council. 
• Other related responsibilities. 

Inherent Criteria

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree (or NQF 7 equivalent) in a related field.
• Certified Ethics Officer (with accreditation from The Ethics Institute).
• At least five years’ experience in the field of ethics. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build strategic relationships and partnerships.
• A high level of written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply an ethical lens to situations faced by the University. 
• Must be an ethical person, with high ethical standards and integrity. 
• Detail-orientated with excellent judgement, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to effectively work in a high-pressured and fast-moving environment with a high premium on client-focused support.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with solid judgement and discretion.
• The ability to liaise pro-actively with internal and external clients and to add value.
• The ability to work independently within a team context in the interests of the greater institution.
• Experience in facilitating ethics workshops and/or training.

Recommendations: 

• Experience in setting up a new business ethics function and to establish a new office. 
• Higher education sector experience.
• Postgraduate qualification.
• Knowledge of King Codes.
• Exposure to ethics committees.

Application Requirement

Commencement of duties: 

01 August 2025

Closing date: 

04 June 2025

Enquiries regarding this post: Ms S van der Bank, Deputy Registrar: Governance, Ethics and Compliance, on 021 808 4581, or at pennyvdb@sun.ac.za

Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits, as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch) / 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za

About Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) is home to an academic community of 29 000 students (including 4 000 foreign students from 100 countries) as well as 3 000 permanent staff members (including 1 000 academics) on five campuses. ​The historical oak-lined university town amongst the Boland Mountains in the winelands of the Western Cape creates a unique campus atmosphere, which attracts local and foreign students alike. On the main campus, paved walkways wind between campus buildings – some dating from previous centuries; others just a few years old. Architecture from various eras attests to the sound academic foundation and establishment of an institution of excellence. This, together with the scenic beauty of the area; state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facilities and technology, as well as visionary thinking about the creation of a sustainable 21st-century institution, makes for the unique character of Stellenbosch University.