Reporting to the Senior Manager: Loans and Bursaries Operations, this role is responsible for
day to day operational management of the capturing, validation and processing of loans and
bursaries applications.
This is a middle management role which includes people management responsibilities for team
leaders and specialists in the department; budget management; stakeholder relationship
management; and operational management.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Planning
Develop and implement section plan in accordance with departmental plans.
Provide input into the review update of the Loans and Bursaries operational plans.
Manage Operations
Ownership of the loans and bursaries applications capture, validation and processing
business processes; benchmark to understand best practice; develop appropriate
effectiveness metrics and targets; track progress and report against targets; drive
continuous process improvement; and sign-off on any process or system changes that
could impact the loans and bursaries applications processes, people or technology.
Own, maintain, apply and communicate as required the applications process data and
criteria including:
Criteria for selection
Lists of means test waived learners
In collaboration with Funder Manager, pre-funded applicants
Schedules of timelines and deadlines related to the processes, such as university
applications.
Responsible for the effective administration and servicing of student loans and bursaries
from the time that they are granted up to closure.
Responsible for the collation of scanned data into complete batches on Open-Text for
further validation and processing.
Liaison with Universities and TVET colleges on matters relating to the processing of
applications.
Identify challenges and problem areas and ensure that they are dealt with swiftly.
Support the appeals process.
Accountable for the quality of data captured during the application and associated
processes.
Set department standards, and ensure necessary quality controls and feedback are
done.
Ensure second level support is provided to Contact Centre to facilitate excellent
customer service for loans and bursaries applications related queries, requests and
complaints.
Hold weekly operations meetings with Team Leaders.
Attend weekly meetings with the Loans and Bursaries management team.
Stakeholder Relationship Management
Develop and manage appropriate Service Level Agreements with stakeholders.
Actively collaborate with other service units in carrying out duties.
Internal stakeholder departments:
o Funder relationship team
o Contact Centre to achieve customer service targets
o Finance department relating to credit management
o Communications Team
o Channel Management team
o Student Relationship team regarding customer satisfaction
External stakeholders
o Universities and colleges for loan applicants and academic results
o Schools for means-waived information
o Validation partners such as Department of Home Affairs or credit checking
specialists.
Lead People
Manage team of direct reports within guidelines of company policies:
o Recruitment and selection of staff
o Induction and on-the-job training
o Performance, development and coaching
o Motivation and recognition
o Discipline and grievances
o Health, safety and environmental policies.
Develop annual workforce plans.
Assign work to staff members in accordance with plans
Foster a positive climate within the team with regular and open two-way
communication.
Budget Management
Input into the development of the service unit budget.
Manage the operations within the approved budget.
DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum requirements
A Bachelor’s degree or Management qualification;
Five to eight years middle management experience with a staff complement of up to 30
people managed via multiple teams;
Five to eight years financial services experience, preferably in credit management;
Demonstrated financial management skills in running a budget for an area of control;
Knowledge of relevant legislation including the National Credit Act and FICA;
MS Office Suite;
Ability to speak at least three official languages and to write and speak excellent English.
Beneficial skills and experience
Post graduate degree;
Proven business and strong operational management skills;
Understanding and experience of the higher and further education and training sector in
South Africa.
Competencies
Able to work independently, as well as within a team;
Able to work under pressure and display initiative;
Building interpersonal relationships;
Decision-making and problem solving;
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Excellent writing and presentation skills in English and other official languages;
Negotiation and conflict resolution;
Organised and able to meet deadlines;
People and performance management;
Personal impact;
Resource management.
REMUNERATION BENEFITS
Remuneration Package: R 533 129 – R 627 987
Total Cost to Company per annum inclusive of all benefits and company
contributions.
Benefits and Conditions: Compulsory Medical Aid, Pension Fund Annual Structured Bonus
inside Cost to Company
Closing date: 5 January 2017
PLEASE NOTE
NSFAS do not consider late applications
Internal NSFAS Staff on Leave must ensure that they check the NSFAS portals for advertised vacancies
and familiarize themselves with the respective closing dates
Interested applicants should send detailed Curriculum Vitae, copies of academic qualifications and
names of three contactable referees to Ms. Fayroes Sherry via email jobs@nsfas.org.za
NSFAS only corresponds with Shortlisted Candidates. If you do not hear from NSFAS within 2 months of
the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY:
“NSFAS is committed to employment equity. Preference will be given to candidates who improve
employment equity targets and ratios.”
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING:
NSFAS may recognise experience in lieu of the Minimum Stipulated Formal Qualifications on condition
that the Experience is Specific, Relevant and Appropriate for the vacant position as part of Recognition
of Prior Learning (RPL) measures. The assessment of suitability is at the sole discretion of NSFAS, and
no further correspondence would be entered into regarding the outcome. In this regard, candidates
are required to include this aspect in their motivation letter for consideration, and may be required to
undergo a competency evaluation prior to appointment.