Strategic Direction, Planning and Alignment:

• Provide input into the University’s overall strategy and strategic direction aligned to the CODeL 2030 strategy
• Oversee development, implementation and review of Portfolio strategy, plans, policies, procedures, practices, processes, and systems
• Provide strategic direction to the development of annual performance review as required by DHET

Strategic Leadership in Finance, Unisa Business Enterprise and Procurement:

• Provide strategic leadership across Financial Management, Supply Chain Management, and Third-Stream Income generation through Unisa Enterprise
• Develop and continuously evaluate short, medium, and long-term strategic financial objectives
• Provide regular, timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial and procurement trends, and forecasts
• Develop strategies and business models to optimise third-stream revenue opportunities
• Direct and oversee the Institution’s financial risk-management programme
• Monitor compliance of accounts, ledgers and reporting systems to relevant financial standards
• Provide leadership on budgeting process and budget implementation
• Ensure accurate, timely financial analyses are available for decision-making
• Lead contract negotiations from financial impact perspective
• Establish efficient workflows and business processes for multiple stakeholder needs
• Ensure year-round compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and other accounting standards
• Align management and operations with Digital Age demands
• Provide expert advice and support on procurement processes
• Present financial information to Unisa governance structures and relevant committees
• Embed financial sustainability through green Institution-wide culture
• Develop effective Finance Strategy and Turnaround Strategy for Finance Portfolio

Forecasting, Budgeting and Financial Management:

• Formulate strategy and forecast cost implications linked to Institutional budgeting
• Coordinate and drive preparation of Institution and Portfolio budgets for approval
• Direct and oversee funding of Institution and Portfolio operations
• Oversee and monitor Portfolio expenditure within budgeted parameters and report on variances
• Oversee running of all accounts, ledgers, supply chain management, procurement and reporting systems
• Engage Unisa Council Finance, Investment and Estates Committee and Audit and Enterprise Risk Management Committee on financial matters

People Management:

• Lead, mentor, and empower employees and drive change to promote performance and cost-effective operations
• Guide strategic leadership in embedding Institution values and desired culture aligned to Transformation Charter and CODeL 2030 Strategy
• Drive high-performance culture through effective performance management
• Ensure Portfolio resourcing through recruitment and position filling
• Promote positive employee relations and engagement
• Foster ethics and value-driven organisational culture
• Provide strategic guidance on human resources policies, procedures, and practices

Governance and Reporting:

• Report on progress against strategic initiatives
• Participate in Institutional governance structures
• Manage strategic relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders
• Oversee, monitor, evaluate operations and report to stakeholders
• Report on legislative and statutory compliance
• Promote context-relevant environmental, social and governance sustainability awareness and culture

The University of South Africa (Unisa) is the largest comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) institution in Africa and the longest established dedicated distance education university in the world. Unisa nurtures aspiring leaders through knowledge development, engaged scholarship, research, and innovation, offering an unparalleled range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Unisa is seeking a qualified and experienced financial expert with strong financial and business acumen, relevant governance knowledge within higher education, and proven ability to manage budgets exceeding a billion rand. The successful candidate will develop financial systems, controls, audit and risk guidelines, and reposition Unisa as a leader in income generation through third-stream income strategies.