Purpose of the Role:
To lead and manage the full operational, administrative, financial, governance and stakeholder management functions of Signa Trust as a standalone entity, ensuring its sustainability, compliance, and impact. The Administrator is the sole operational resource of the Trust and is responsible for translating its strategic objectives into daily operational results, driving its growth and purpose: increasing access to tertiary education for Black female youth in South Africa, as per BBBEE and PBO requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Governance, Compliance & Trust Administration

• Maintain accurate, complete and compliant Trust records including resolutions, Trust Deed, Letters of Authority, and all regulatory submissions.
• Ensure adherence to PBO (Public Benefit Organisation) obligations, SARS Art 18A certificates, POPIA, UBO compliance, and BBBEE verification requirements.
• Manage all governance-related documentation including trustee IDs, affidavits, declarations and minutes of meetings.
• Schedule and coordinate board/trustee meetings, including financial reviews, student reports, and resolutions.
• Prepare and submit reports to relevant compliance and regulatory authorities, including auditors/Verification Agencies and SARS; as well as Trust’s investee entities/client as required

Bursary Administration & Student Support:

• Manage end-to-end bursary processes: advertising, receiving applications, vetting, award coordination and contracting.
• Liaise with tertiary institutions, students and relevant third parties to secure proof of registration, results and related documents.
• Monitor student academic progress, generate quarterly reports and track pass/completion rates.
• Support bursary recipients with enrolment, accommodation, data, laptops, books and related needs.
• Maintain a dynamic student database with certified documents, contact info, budgets and funding allocations.
• Monitor student well-being and address/report any matters that may distract students from their programme, or affect academic performance

Finance & Bookkeeping Oversight

• Work with outsourced accounting and audit partners to oversee financial controls and fund allocations.
• Collate and process invoices, payments, donor receipts and proof of payment (POP).
• Track and report on income streams (shares, SED, ESD, interest), expenses and bursary disbursements.
• Oversee annual audit preparations and maintain compliance with Section 18A tax requirements.
• Support budget planning, financial forecasting and reporting to trustees.

Donor and Stakeholder Relations:

• Draft and submit proposals for SED/ESD donations and in-kind contributions.
• Maintain donor files with signed agreements, proof of payment and documentation for verification.
• Issue thank-you letters and Section 18A certificates and ensure timely reporting on impact and fund use.
• Nurture donor relationships, ensure alignment with BBBEE requirements and track donor engagement metrics.
• Liaise with shareholder companies for annual donations and support their BBBEE verification needs.
• Monitor government funding opportunities e.g. SETAs Discretionary Grants and ensure applications crafted and submitted professionally.

Marketing, Communication & Fundraising:

• Partner with Signa Shared Services (as a service provider) to run branded campaigns and manage online presence.
• Use digital platforms to attract and engage prospective donors (local and international).
• Research local and international donor agencies/organization whose focus aligns with SignaTrust’s objective
• Share impact stories, case studies and quarterly updates via newsletters and social media.
• Coordinate trust participation in relevant events and donor engagement campaigns.
• Ensure all external communication reflects the Trust’s mission, values and unique value proposition.

 
Records, Document & Supplier Management:

• Ensure secure document management systems are in place for both digital and physical records.
• Maintain contracts with service providers (legal, finance, audit, etc.) and ensure clear SLAs are in place.
• Maintain a calendar of renewals, compliance deadlines and reporting timelines.
• Ensure procurement/expenditure aligns with budget, with clear documentation and accountability.
• Manage junior YES placement(s) where applicable, overseeing their task allocation and growth.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Bursary funds disbursed to qualifying Black female students

• Number of bursary recipients enrolled and successfully completing studies
• Compliance rate with all regulatory obligations (SARS, BBBEE, PBO, POPIA)
• Donor satisfaction and repeat engagement
• Number and quality of proposals submitted for SED/ED/funding
• Financial reporting accuracy and audit readiness
• Trustee meeting punctuality and governance documentation completeness
• Student academic progress reporting (quarterly)
• Digital presence and communication effectiveness (newsletter, campaigns, social media)
• 4.9 Impact storytelling and visibility of Trust purpose

Requirements:

• South African unemployed youth aged between the ages of 18 and 34.
• Must not have participated in the YES Programme previously.
• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Public Administration, Business Management or equivalent.
• Familiarity with BBBEE codes, Section 18A compliance and PBO regulations.
• Excellent organisational, reporting, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• High ethical standards and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and digital literacy skills and excellent with spreadsheets
• Experience managing donor expectations and reporting impact.
• Bookkeeping or finance admin knowledge beneficial
• Highly attentive to detail
• Highly engaging with some track record of caring for stakeholders
• Innovative and focused on continuous improvements
• Self-starter with a keen interest in education-aligned philanthropic initiatives
• Applicants must reside in surrounding areas.

Please consider your application unsuccessful when you have not heard from the Signa Opportunity team within two weeks of submitting your application.

Click Go Apply to apply online!

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