Senior Officer African Languages Press Publishing Coordinator (post level 9) Library and Information Services (Job ID 6428)

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

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INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements as well as the following standard documentation:
A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
Copies of your qualifications or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications please include SAQA accreditation).
A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter appointment contract service certificate or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

Strengthen the Press portfolio by managing quality submission volumes improving author satisfaction and growing the impact of the three imprints.
Manage the Books Imprints and portfolio to ensure individual Book departmental and divisional targets (including revenue quality profitability etc.) are achieved.
Collaborate with Editors and Book Authors to publish high-quality content.
Ensure that all Book production functions meet cost quality and schedule requirements and that the highest customer service objectives are achieved.
Identify and advise on possible workflow improvements in the publishing process; initiate remedial actions negotiations and process changes where necessary.
Work with finance marketing and operations colleagues to ensure maximum profitability of the Imprints including management of costs; initiate remedial actions negotiations and process changes where necessary.
Ensure the timeous compilation and printing and signoff of Book hard copies and eBooks.
Identify manage and develop plans for Scholarly Books growth.
Develop implement and maintain the Press Books publishing policies across the Imprints and portfolio.
Commission and coordinate authors peer-reviewers illustrators designers editors and proof-readers.
Contribute to the overall goals development motivation and management of the Books Publishing department.
Ensure that all duties are properly executed to achieve the goals and objectives assigned to the department.
Responsible for performance appraisals development of annual goals and objectives and individual development plans for staff reporting directly to this position.
Cultivate a culture of excellence innovation customer-centricity collaboration and transparency.
Responsible for managing all contractors for the Scholarly Books Publishing.
Identify and seek out any suitable software systems that is needed for operational efficiencies.
Evaluate the software systems and its associated costs to make a recommendation of best fit for the Press.
Suggest changes to the software system as required to enhance operational efficiencies.
Oversee the testing of any changes to ensure it meets operational requirements.
Ensure the public view of any platform text remains relevant to the audience always interacting with the platform.
Ensure that all policies are up-to-date and at a minimum comply with the funder government and industry-wide standards.
Advice guide and support Editors and Authors on Publishing Integrity and Ethics where necessary.
Stay abreast with OA trends and developments and the presss position and activities which could include listening to webinars on the topic and reading various reports.
Stay current with trends specifically in the way of transformative agreements as well as the state of market and government policies around OA both locally and globally.
Oversee the editorial process including peer review copyediting and proofreading.
Ensure linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance in all publications.
Collaborate with authors translators and language experts to maintain high standards of content.
Serve as the primary point of contact for authors throughout the publication process.
Provide guidance and support to authors regarding manuscript preparation and submission guidelines.
Facilitate communication between authors and reviewers editors and other stakeholders.
Work with designers and production staff to ensure high-quality design and printing.
Coordinate the production of both print and digital formats of publications.
Ensure all publications adhere to the presss style guide and quality standards.
Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and implement promotional strategies for publications.
Oversee the distribution process ensuring wide availability of publications in various formats.
Participate in outreach activities such as book fairs and academic conferences to promote the press and its publications.
Develop and manage relationships with distributors wholesalers and other key stakeholders.
Monitor inventory levels and coordinate reprints or digital updates as necessary.

Inherent Job Requirements:

Bachelors degree or an Advanced Diploma/ degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF Level 7 in Publishing African Languages Linguistics Literature Communication Sciences Information Sciences or a related field.
A minimum of two (2) years relevant working experience.

Recommendations:

Honours degree/Postgraduate Diploma on NQF Level 8 in Publishing African Languages Linguistics Literature Communication Sciences Information Sciences or a related field.
Experience within the higher education environment.
Knowledge of university systems policies procedures.
Member of a or registration at a professional body (attach a copy).

Key Competencies Required:

Results Orientated:
- The ability to set high standards establish tough goals and to work to achieve success.
- The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Strategic Thinking:
- The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.

Business Acumen:
- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficient in using MS Office.
- Technical knowledge & skills design software proficiency branding & Visual Identity basic understanding of HTML/CSS for web assets animation and motion design photography and videography skills.
- Creative skills e.g. conceptual thinking attention to detail storytelling and communication.
- Project management e.g. time management stakeholder engagement & problem solving.

Leading:
- The ability to lead take charge of situations and offer opinions and directions to others.
- The ability to be cooperative with others display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:
- The ability to negotiate sell influence and to persuade others.
- The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible.

Closing date:
30 April 2026

Salary:
The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme medical aid scheme group life insurance housing allowance leave and sick leave service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:
For enquiries please feel free to contact or email . Additionally kindly contact / 2558 / 2876 for assistance.

General:
The UFS 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 including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications you may assume that your application was unsuccessful