Job Description

The Department of Agriculture is inviting applications for the Bursary Officer position in Pretoria, Gauteng.

This opportunity falls under the Directorate: Sector Education and Training and is suited to a candidate with experience in bursary administration, student support, database management, and information management.

The successful candidate will support the recruitment, selection, administration, monitoring, reporting, and coordination of the department’s bursary scheme and bursary holders.

Responsibilities

• Render recruitment and selection of departmental bursary holders.
• Conduct annual needs analysis to identify and prioritise skills in agriculture.
• Produce annual bursary adverts.
• Facilitate the advertisement of bursary opportunities in print and electronic media.
• Distribute adverts and posters to relevant stakeholders, including provinces, municipalities, schools, tertiary institutions, libraries, labour offices, and the public.
• Receive, sort, and capture bursary applications.
• Draft and send acknowledgement and regret letters and request outstanding documents.
• Conduct preliminary selection of applications and prepare files for the selection committee.
• Organise logistical arrangements for National Bursary Committee meetings.
• Compile the list of successful candidates approved by the selection committee.
• Prepare bursary award letters and coordinate the signing of bursary contracts.
• Respond to telephone, email, and in-person queries and appeals.
• Inform institutions about new and current bursaries.
• Create and maintain bursary holder files and update databases.
• Prepare guarantee, reinstatement, and extension letters for bursary holders.
• Prepare confirmation lists for institutions of learning.
• Compile fee structures and process payments for tuition, accommodation, books, meals, and allowances.
• Analyse and verify student accounts.
• Monitor bursary expenditure and compile monthly and quarterly reports.
• Reconcile amounts paid to institutions against approved fee structures.
• Verify and process invoices for high school bursary holders.
• Compile annual and briefing reports on bursary implementation.
• Compile Terms of Reference and minutes for bursary monitoring meetings.
• Package evidence required for Auditor-General processes.
• Conduct bursary monitoring meetings and related logistical arrangements.
• Meet with institutions, principals, and financial aid officers to verify proper use of bursary funds.
• Facilitate experiential training, vacation work, and placement opportunities for bursary holders.
• Advise bursary holders on CV writing and interview skills.
• Liaise with employers and organisations to support placement after studies.
• Provide secretarial and administrative support during interviews for appointing completing bursary holders.

Requirements

• Minimum 3-year Diploma (NQF 6) or B-Degree in:
  • Administration
  • Public Administration
  • Public Management
  • Office Management
  • Management Assistant
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in:
  • Bursary administration
  • Information management
  • Database management
  • Working with students in institutions of higher learning
• Valid driver’s licence

Knowledge

• Project management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Skills Development Act
• SAQA Act
• Further Education and Training Qualification Act

Skills

• Facilitation skills
• Project management skills
• Planning
• Initiative
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem solving

Additional Information

• Reference number: 3/3/1/21/2026
• Number of posts: 2
• Directorate: Sector Education and Training
• Salary level: Level 07
• Centre: Pretoria, Gauteng
• Enquiries: Mr Phillemon Mathebula, Tel: (012) 319 7843

Employment Equity Note

EE Target: African Males, White Males, and Persons with disability.