Position Title: Senior Administrative Officer

Requisition ID: 1200

Department: Research Office

City: Cape Town

SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: ANIMAL AND BIOSAFETY COMPLIANCE (Payclass 09; Permanent)

OFFICE OF RESEARCH INTEGRITY (ORI)

RESEARCH OFFICE

The ORI seeks to appoint a suitable candidate to the post of Senior Administrative Officer: Animal and Biosafety Compliance. The incumbent will work closely with the ORI team to support the compliance mandate of the office, predominantly in the animal research and biosafety fields. The ORI works collaboratively with Senate Ethics committees, research units and individual researchers to promote and enhance the responsible conduct of research (RCR), and to support ethics in research. The successful candidate will be responsible for a variety of processes and workflows and, will need to engage with a range of staff, postgraduate students and researchers in various faculties. Our ideal candidate will be a meticulous, resourceful and proactive problem-solver and strategic thinker. The candidate must be able to work both independently, with limited supervision, and as part of a team to meet strict deadlines. The candidate must work within the regulatory framework of the ORI environment and, should be willing to engage in and develop or improve internal processes to streamline and ultimately provide better-quality services to the UCT research community.

Requirements for the job:

NQF7 (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (with preference given to qualifications in Ethics, Bioethics, Applied Ethics, Administrative or Management Studies or Project Management)
3 years’ experience in research administration or management with emphasis in quality control/assurance and/or project management.
3 years’ experience in directly servicing, supporting, and managing university committees which meet on a regular basis (either quarterly or monthly)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrable ability to co-ordinate and manage processes (i.e. planning and organisational skills)

The following will be advantageous:

Recognition as a research administration or management professional
A qualification in a laboratory-based science
Knowledge of responsible conduct of research guidelines including national legal regulatory frameworks and internationally recognised principles
Knowledge of UCT’s research environment, specifically in the Faculties of Science and Health Sciences

Responsibilities:

Secretariat services (including logistical and administrative support) to the Senate Animal Ethics Committee (SAEC) and the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), including acting as a liaison between relevant Faculty and Senate-level committees.
Providing administrative and logistical support to the Senate Animal Ethics Committee Inspecting Veterinarian (SAEC-IV), including receiving of inspection reports; distribution of reports to relevant stakeholders; collation of feedback to the appropriate staff and committees and, maintenance of the relevant documentary databases.
Preparing submissions to the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) for authorisation of UCT personnel; including liaising with appropriate Research Animal Facility staff and applicants.
Dissemination of information pertaining to SAVC authorisations, including approved authorisations, annual maintenance fees processes and updates to application requirements, legislation and internal UCT processes.
Keeping accurate records of SAVC authorised personnel, including active and inactive users; annual payments and, regular monitoring and reporting of continued competence.
Preparing submissions to the Department of Agriculture (DOA), in support of GMO and Import/Export permit requirements.
Supporting the ORI Director and Manager in logistical and administrative, specifically financial, matters related to the ORI.
Ad hoc support to the ORI team as needed.

The 2025 annual cost of employment, including benefits is R513 345 and R603 933.

To apply, please visit the (www.jobs.uct.ac.za) website to create a candidate profile and to submit your application.

Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Motivation/Cover letter (Detailed motivation clearly addressing the job requirements).
Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship with you, their e-mail address and telephone number.
Copy of your qualifications and ID.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may be required to undergo competency assessment. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Telephone: 021 650 3831

Website: https://uct.ac.za/research-support-hub/office-research-integrity

Reference number: 1200

Closing date: 9 January 2026