The DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) is a national research initiative hosted by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and co-hosted by the University of Pretoria (UP). Funded by the Department of Science Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Centre conducts cutting-edge research on food security, nutrition, and food systems resilience in South Africa and beyond.

CoE-FS plays a critical role in policy development, capacity building, and knowledge dissemination by engaging with government, industry, and civil society. Its research focuses on food access, governance, and sustainability, aiming to improve food security outcomes in the region. The Centre also trains Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers, strengthening South Africa’s expertise in food security research. UKUDLA is an African-German research collaboration focused on food systems resilience and agricultural data science. It is led by the University of Hohenheim (Germany), the University of the Western Cape (South Africa), and the University of Pretoria (South Africa), with additional partners across Africa. Funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), UKUDLA aims to enhance food system sustainability through interdisciplinary research, training, and international knowledge exchange.

UKUDLA provides structured PhD, postdoctoral, and research fellowships, supporting scholars across South Africa, Germany, and Malawi. It emphasizes transdisciplinary approaches, combining agriculture, data science, and policy research to strengthen food security in Africa. Both CoE-FS and UKUDLA focus on food security and sustainable food systems, with CoE-FS leading South Africa’s national research efforts, while UKUDLA enhances international collaboration and capacity building. Together, they contribute to evidence-based policy, interdisciplinary research, and the development of future leaders in food security and agricultural sciences. As the CoE-FS grows, it is expected that these multi-institutional, multi-year projects will be supplemented by new initiatives resulting from successful grant-raising.

The Coordinator: Operations and Administration for the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) and UKUDLA is responsible for the coordination and implementation of all operational and administrative project activities, stakeholder engagement, and oversight of operational and administrative processes and administrative staff of both research initiatives, and future large projects undertaken by the CoE-FS. This role ensures that the two programs align efficiently, avoiding duplication of efforts while maximising research impact, capacity-building, and financial sustainability.

Reporting to the Project Manager: DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security, the successful applicant will be responsible for:

• The overall office operational support and workplan coordination, including overseeing the management of administrative assistants, coordination support to the undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment, transition and academic programs to ensure successful implementation.
• The coordination of stakeholder engagement and event logistics, coordination of the day-to-day operations, working closely with the finance coordinator logistics are executed according to the approved budgets.
• The coordination of the academic program support to various projects.
• Reporting and monitoring, assisting with preparation of technical and institutional reports, maintaining monitoring tools for project outputs and outcomes, guidance to support staff when preparing technical and online reports.
• Operational and administrative support to director/s, project manager, project teams and core CoE-FS team, respond to operational and research queries from funders, auditors, project leaders and institutional units.
• The governance and compliance with the funding agency’s terms, conditions and requirements. 
• Support the effective marketing and communication of the research and operational activities.
• Liaising with senior and middle management internally and key external agencies, including the funding body and implementing partners.
   

Minimum Requirements:(Qualification & Experience)   

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree or a relevant equivalent qualification at NQF 7. 
• Minimum of 5 years' relevant experience in research project administration and reporting. preferably in research or higher education. 
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating the operational activities of large-scale, multi-institutional grants, especially DAAD, NRF, EU, or similar International funding sources.
• Proven track record in the coordination of stakeholder engagement, international collaboration, and strategic communications activities.

Added Advantage:   

• Working experience in the Higher Education sector
• Registered for a NQF Level 8 degree in a relevant field.

Required competencies: (skills, knowledge, and behavioural attributes)

• Strategic project operational coordination -Ability to plan, implement, and monitor large-scale research programs.
• Operational governance - Experience in project operations and resource tracking, and multi-donor grant execution and reporting.
• Stakeholder relationship management -Ability to engage with stakeholders across academia, government, and industry.
• Research coordination - Understanding of PhD and postdoctoral program/s funding administration.
• Digital proficiency - Strong command of Microsoft Office (particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint), Google drive/ Dropbox, project management tools, and digital communication platforms.
• Familiarity with multi-donor funding environments. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong administrative, logistics coordination and reporting skills, with experience in donor compliance and operations.