Exchanges Officer

Department: IAPO

Exchanges Officer

(Payclass 8; Fixed-Term Contract (12 months))

Partnerships, Mobility and Recruitment (PMR)

International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO)

The Partnerships, Mobility and Recruitment (PMR) section manages both reciprocal exchange and non-reciprocal study abroad (Semester Study Abroad (SSA)) programmes at UCT, providing support services to both incoming SSA students and outbound UCT students, and managing the recruitment, selection or admissions, and enrolment processes. In addition, the section is also responsible for the management of partnerships for collaborative academic programmes with international universities. 

We seek to appoint an Exchanges Officer in a temporary capacity (12 month contract) to work as part of a highly motivated and energetic team to support outbound students in taking up exchange opportunities in a deadline driven environment. The main purpose of this position is to provide hands-on administration and stakeholder relationship support to the UCT international outbound exchange programme. This includes programme administration, stakeholder liaison, and student support.

This position is student-facing. The candidate must be available to work full-time and in-person in the office. The candidate must have sufficient flexibility to work additional hours or at weekends when required.

Requirements for the position:

• A higher certificate (NQF 5)
• 6 years’ relevant experience in higher education at junior-to-middle level with well-developed administrative, travel and organisational skills.
• Client/ customer service or relationship management experience.
• Experience of working with students or young people, ideally in a university context.
• Experience of student records systems or similar information management systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and commitment to the provision of excellent client service in a cross-cultural environment.
• Experience of engaging with clients/ partners/ vendors.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain sound stakeholder relations whilst adhering to policy and legal/governance requirements.
• Proven high level computer literacy in the use of MS Suite with a particular focus on MS Word and MS Excel at an intermediate level.
• The ability to multi-task, prioritise work appropriately, work under pressure and to work independently and accurately with minimal supervision.
• Organisational, analytical, administrative and problem-solving skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail and an uncompromising attitude to meeting deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Willingness to work collaboratively as part of a team with the ability to interact successfully with individuals from a wide range of professional and non-professional backgrounds, including internal (UCT) and other stakeholders.
• A good understanding of internationalisation in higher education.
• An understanding of the public relations impact of exchange programme work.
• An understanding of higher education frameworks and degree processes.

 The following would be advantageous:

• Knowledge of visa processing and embassy requirements.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Provide administrative support for all processes relevant to the UCT international student exchange programme.
• Supervise maintenance of the exchange general email account.
• Under the guidance of the Exchange Coordinator, recruit via calls for application.
• Arrange and service the exchange selection committees for UCT students applying to go on international exchange.
• Nominate UCT students to take up exchange placements with UCT’s international partner universities.
• Liaise with external stakeholders (e.g. exchange partners) and submit information, nominations, and applications as required by the partner university’s administrative processes and timelines.
• Host information sessions and other events for UCT exchange students.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to support exchange students through application, selection and curriculum alignment (e.g. curriculum advisors, Admissions Office, faculty offices).
• Supervise the updating and maintenance of exchange programme records and information platforms including paper-based and digital filing, network drive, Microsoft teams, Amathuba, and the marketing materials library.
• Supervise the updating and maintenance of information about exchange opportunities or exchange student participation in institutional systems including the student records database (PeopleSoft) and the partnership database (CRM).
• Provide administrative support for delegations visiting UCT.
• Provide servicing officer support for meetings and committees.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of relevant UCT policies, processes and procedures to inform support services provided for the (inbound) SSA and outbound exchange programmes.

For detailed information about this post, please view the position description on the following link: (view).

The annual remuneration package for 2026, including benefits, is between R283 278 and R 448 889.

To apply, please visit the UCT Internal Careers site (For Internal Applicants) and (For External Applicants) to create a profile and submit your application. Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• A letter of motivation, outlining how your expertise aligns with the position's requirements
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address, and telephone number;
• Highest qualification; and
• Copy of ID/Passport.

An application which does not comply with the above will be regarded as incomplete and might not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and maybe required to undergo competency assessments. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any enquiries for this position are to be addressed to Ms Hlubi Ntsizi at  [email protected] or 021 650 3831. Please do not send or submit job application/CV via this e-mail.

Telephone: 021 650 3831                Website: www.uct.ac.za/international

Reference number: ID1449              Closing date: 24 September 2026

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at  https://uct.ac.za/oic/employment-equity.

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The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.