Chief Operations Officer Job at Council on Higher Education

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure alignment of HR, ICT, and other operational functions with the CHE’s strategic objectives.
• Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of operational policies, frameworks, and systems that support institutional effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and governance frameworks applicable to public entities, including compliance with legislation such as the Labour
• Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Public Service Regulations. POPIA, BEEE and others.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of 5 – yearly Strategic Plans and associated Annual Performance Plans.
• Establish funding partnerships with other organisations as a means of expanding the CHE’s funding base and enabling the resources to be in place to undertake specific projects.
• Oversee the implementation of specific projects in key areas of CHE work.
• Drive organisational development initiatives, including talent management, workforce planning, retention and succession strategies and performance management.
• Oversee HR policies, labour relations, employee wellness, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance organisational effectiveness.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the CHE.
• Lead the development and implementation of ICT policies, strategies and digital transformation initiatives.
• Oversee the maintenance of secure, reliable ICT infrastructure, systems, and business continuity planning.
• Ensure effective integration of technology to support the CHE’s internal operations; its quality assurance functions; research, monitoring, policy and advice functions; data management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee records management.
• Support the CEO and Council in governance processes, including reporting, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Manage engagement with legal services when these are required in various areas of the CHE’ work.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including higher education institutions, government departments, and quality assurance networks.
• Represent the CHE in relevant forums on operational, HR, and ICT matters.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• A postgraduate degree (NQF level 8 or higher) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources Management, Information Systems, or related fields. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• At least 10 years’ experience in senior management, with a proven track record in managing
• HR, ICT, or related corporate services portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience in public sector management, governance, and compliance with applicable legislation (e.g., PFMA, HR and ICT policies).
• Experience in strategic planning, operational management, and leading multidisciplinary
• teams.
• Previous exposure to the higher education or public entity environment will be a strong
• advantage.
• The strategic competence and ability to take lead responsibility for the planning, execution
• and monitoring of new and existing functions and projects.
• Strong strategic leadership and management capability, including financial management.
• Strong knowledge of HR management, organisational development, and labour law in South Africa.
• Strong understanding of ICT systems, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and data governance.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• High level of integrity, ethical conduct, and commitment to public service values.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions.
• Change-management expertise and ability to lead organisational transformation.

Closing date

Friday, January 23, 2026 – 12:00