South Africa: Secretary (Visual Arts) posted by Nelson Mandela University

April 25, 2026 Jobs in South Africa

Nelson Mandela University

South Africa

Education/Training

Job Description

About the Role

The Department of Visual Art within the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Nelson Mandela University seeks a self-motivated, highly organised, and efficient Secretary to provide administrative support to the department and its management team.

Key Responsibilities

Assist in organising, coordinating, and participating in events related to learning and teaching, operations, and marketing, including fashion shows, exhibitions, career expos, seminars, and similar activities.
Manage filing systems, mail distribution, student records, marks records, examination administration, general communications, and the administration of documents, forms, and templates for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
Type, format, template, and archive all departmental documentation, including letters, reports, agendas, minutes, correspondence, and examination papers.
Handle all telephonic communication with internal and external stakeholders, including taking messages, redirecting calls, establishing context, and screening calls for the Director of School (DoS) and/or Head of Department (HoD).
Manage the DoS/HoD diary, both electronically and manually, and facilitate the efficient and effective use of their time in the performance of their duties.
Coordinate all travel, accommodation, and venue arrangements, and ensure that cheque requests are processed timeously via the Integrated Tertiary Software (ITS) financial system.
Schedule and arrange meetings; notify staff and stakeholders; record and distribute minutes; and follow up on action items.
Manage all incoming and outgoing mail and oversee its distribution.
Perform all ITS-related administrative functions, including those related to student records and marks, quotations, requisitions, job requests, and budget administration.
Assist with first-year enquiries and student enrolments.
Support senior management within the School with administrative duties related to operational budgets and financial portfolios.
Assist with administrative responsibilities related to the Interdisciplinary and Visual Studies streams.
Process and facilitate requisitions for materials and goods related to learning and teaching projects in Visual Art, including follow-up procedures in accordance with institutional protocols.

Core Competencies

An in-depth knowledge and experience of best practice office management and general administrative processes
Sound knowledge of NMU policies and procedures or evidence of similar exposure at tertiary level elsewhere
Excellent interpersonal skills
Demonstrate accuracy in financial administration skills
Public relations and marketing experience
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Proven ability to lead, employ initiative and manage a secretarial/ PR portfolio
Proficiency in MS Office Suite (including OneDrive) and cloud-based services like Google Apps.
Integrated Tertiary Software (ITS) and Mac literacy is desirable.
Ability to manage time and deliver high-quality work under pressure in a large and busy department with a large public engagement profile.

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Requirements

Grade 12 qualification
A minimum of two to five years’ relevant work experience within a university or tertiary education environment
At least two to five years’ experience in an academic or administrative setting
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and OneDrive
Strong verbal and written communication skills
In-depth knowledge of office management and general administrative processes

Qualifications

No formal qualifications mentioned.

How to Apply

Click the green “Go Apply” button below to apply directly online with the employer.

About Education/Training Jobs in South Africa

In the education and training sector in South Africa, one can expect to find a diverse range of roles across various industries. Generally, this field is in high demand due to the country’s growing focus on skills development and human capital growth. Typically, these roles involve creating and implementing curricula, delivering training programs, and assessing learner outcomes.

Salary ranges for education and training professionals in South Africa are often influenced by factors such as experience, company size, and industry sector. Broadly speaking, salaries typically range from R200 000 to R500 000 per annum, although these figures can vary significantly depending on individual circumstances. For instance, experienced professionals working in large corporations or government institutions may earn higher salaries, while those in smaller organizations or non-profit entities may start at lower salary points.

Common skills required for education and training roles include strong communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to design and deliver engaging training programs, and experience with learning management systems. Other essential skills often include project management, adult learning theory, and curriculum development. Technical skills such as proficiency in Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Suite are also highly valued. In addition, many education and training professionals require a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as education, instructional design, or communications.

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The education and training sector is commonly found in various industries, including the technology industry, financial services sector, manufacturing sector, and non-profit organizations. These roles often involve working with government departments, educational institutions, corporate training departments, or private training companies. In addition to traditional industries, there are also opportunities for education and training professionals in the public sector, such as working in government agencies responsible for skills development and labor market policy.

Career progression for education and training professionals in South Africa is often based on gaining experience, building a professional network, and developing advanced skills and expertise. Typically, career paths involve starting as a junior trainer or curriculum developer, moving to senior roles such as program manager or learning designer, and eventually taking on leadership positions such as director of education or training services manager.

This information provides general career guidance. Actual salaries and requirements vary by employer.

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