Job Details

  • Reference number: UFH1
  • Province: Eastern Cape
  • Type of engagement: Permanent appointment
  • Posted: July 29th

Background to Position

TT            The university of Fort Hare invite suitably qualified candidates to apply for the position of Remuneration and Benefits Director.

The incumbent will be responsible for the total reward and benefit programmes of the institution and continuously develop, implement and monitor existing remuneration policies, systems and procedures and make recommendations to management to ensure the institution offers competitive rewards and benefits through active networking in relevant forums and participation in relevant surveys to benchmark best policies and practices to stay abreast of market norms.

To provide strategic management services regarding remuneration retirement, medical aid and risk-benefit funds thereby ensuring competitive benefits that enhance the university’s image both internally and externally and align with institutional strategies and objectives.

Job Description

  • Review, monitor and implement remuneration policy, philosophy and strategies 
  • Research and develop annual remuneration increase proposals to the Remuneration Committee and implement approved increases across the Group
  • Research and develop annual board and meeting fee increase recommendations and proposals to the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee for non- executive board members
  • Ad-hoc benchmarking of remuneration levels as well as incentive schemes
  • Implement and manage Executive Short term and Long Term Incentive schemes for the institution 
  • Participation in all relevant surveys on behalf of the organisation to obtain relevant comparative market data and benchmarks 
  • Annually review and update Salary ranges in line with market rates and benchmark jobs 
  • Ongoing communication and awareness of Fort Hare Total Reward / Value Proposition
  • Job evaluation and job grading of new or changed roles as identified and requested by Business
  • Develop and review Remuneration and Employee Benefit Policies and Procedures including Expatriate management and International assignments
  • Provide guidance and support to the HR department and line management across the group on all remuneration and benefit matters
  • Manage employee benefit programmes through liaison with appointed brokers and/or consultants and ensure all contracts and rates are implemented effectively 

Institution elected medical aid providers, 

GAP cover, 

Pension and provident funds and Bargaining council funds, 

Employee Assistance programme 

Group Life and Personal Accident Fund

Emergency medical evacuation cover

  • Serve on the Main Board of Trustees of the institution retirement fund and/or industry funds 
  • Manage all administrative matters and payroll processes for executives and head office staff in lifecycle of employment on a monthly basis 
  • Manage approved disabilities in receipt of income continuation benefits on behalf of the university
  • Provide user specifications for HR Management System to align with policy and procedure
  • Management of retirement funds and insured benefits, medical aid fund strategy and policy and remuneration practices.

Skills and Knowledge 

Detailed knowledge and experience of retirement fund administration and management 

Working knowledge of the Labour Relations Act

Basic Conditions of Employment Act; UIF Act; Medical Schemes Act; COID Act; Income Tax Act, Pension Funds Act,  Regulation 28

Knowledge/sensitivity to International employment law and the differences between countries.

Detailed knowledge of formulae and benefits calculations

Peromnes Job Evaluation Grading principles

Working knowledge of REMChannel and REMmeasure, and Sharepoint will be an advantage

Advanced MS Word competency

Desired Competencies

Analysis & Judgment

Problem-solving

Assertiveness

Stress Management 

Excellence orientation

Ethical behaviour

Client Focus

Conflict handling

Business Acumen

Financial acumen

Inherent Criteria

Minimum requirements and Qualifications 

  • Master’s Degree in Business, Accounting, Human Resource Management or related.
  • Any other relevant degree specializing in remuneration and benefits.
  • Minimum of ten years relevant experience of which five years’ experience in a similar role at a senior management level

Professional Registration

  • Global Remuneration Professional Certification

  • SARA (South Africa Rewards’ Association) Professional Designation as Remuneration Specialist preferred 

Application Requirement

  • CV
  • Cover Letter
  • ID/passport
  • Certified copies of qualifications
  • Proof of remuneration
  • Three work-related referees

About University of Fort Hare

The University of Fort Hare is a public university in Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It was a key institution of higher education for black Africans from 1916 to 1959 when it offered a Western-style academic education to students from across sub-Saharan Africa, creating a black African elite.