Administrative Officer Vacancy at The University of Cape Town

Company: University of Cape Town

Location: South Africa

Closing date: 14 October 2026

Are you looking for a dynamic career opportunity in academic administration? The HPI-UCT Partnership in Digital Health at the University of Cape Town is hiring an Administrative Officer for a full-time, fixed-term appointment. Candidates will receive an annual cost of employment between R 448 889 and R 528 105, depending on experience. With applications closing on 14 October 2026, qualified professionals are encouraged to apply immediately.

The Hasso Plattner Institute’s Digital Health Cluster and the University of Cape Town collaborate to advance global health research, capacity development, and innovation in Africa. This initiative bridges the UCT School of Public Health and the School of Information Technology through an established partnership. The initiative focuses on four main pillars, including annual funding for PhD students, research exchanges, expanding African health datasets, and curriculum development.

Job seekers frequently search for the administrative officer salary Cape Town 2026 to evaluate regional compensation standards. Reviewing the exact administrative officer requirements and qualifications helps applicants ensure their CVs align with expectations. Understanding how to apply for Administrative Officer at HPI-UCT Partnership in Digital Health prevents submission errors. Exploring the wider UCT careers 2026 landscape highlights how this role fits into the university’s research network.

Company Overview

The HPI-UCT Partnership in Digital Health operates within the School of Information Technology and the Faculty of Science at the University of Cape Town. The initiative combines the expertise of the Hasso Plattner Institute’s Digital Health Cluster with UCT to foster technological innovation in healthcare. Their framework prioritizes ethical, equitable, and context-aware digital health solutions. The partnership supports projects addressing maternal and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and routine health data management.

Job Overview

• Job Title: Administrative Officer
• Location: University of Cape Town, South Africa
• Employment Type: Full-time, fixed-term research appointment
• Closing Date: 14 October 2026
• Salary Band: R 448 889 to R 528 105 per year (cost of employment, including benefits)

Job Purpose / Role Summary

The primary purpose of the position is to provide administrative assistance to the Program Coordinator and Co-Principal Investigators of the partnership at UCT. You will support administrative and financial operations, including scholarship administration, coordination of bi-annual progress symposia, and event management. This position is critical to the smooth and effective functioning of HPI at UCT.

Key Responsibilities

• Support administration of fellowships and scholarships.
• Support organisation of socials, workshops, and other related meetings.
• Review finances of the school on a quarterly basis.
• Monitoring and clearing purchasing card transactions, follow up on receipts.
• Procurement of sundries and other items for the HPI Lab located in the HPI d-school building.
• Support public relations; oversee maintenance of the website and social media channels.
• Provide support for research visitors.
• Assisting the coordinator and the principal investigators with general administrative tasks.

Minimum Requirements

• NQF6 Qualification.
• A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience in office administration.
• Excellent and professional interpersonal skills.
• Solid administration skills.
• Meticulous work with attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently and accurately.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex scheduling requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Effective time-management skills and the ability to organize, prioritize and multi-task within a highly pressurised environment.
• The capability to meet strict deadlines.

Preferred Skills / Nice-to-Haves

• A tertiary Degree/Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with UCT PeopleSoft and/or SAP system.
• A solid understanding of the University’s systems and procedures.
• Experience working with students and academics.

Salary & Benefits

The annual cost of employment, including benefits (where applicable), is between R 448 889 and R 528 105, depending on experience. This financial package provides comprehensive compensation for the administrative workload. Additional advantages include working within an active academic research environment alongside international scholars. Benefits are regulated by the standard policies governing fixed-term appointments at the institution.

Location & Work Arrangement

• Workplace: University of Cape Town.
• Appointment Terms: Fixed-term research appointment until 31 December 2028.
• Start Date: To start as soon as possible.

Application Process

1. Prepare your application materials in a single PDF file.
2. Direct your email submission to [email protected].
3. Include the job title and reference number (E26928) in the subject line of your email.
4. Attach your cover letter, CV, and completed UCT application form.

Required Documents

• Cover letter explaining your reasons for applying and how you meet the requirements for the position.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing relevant work experience addressing the job requirements.
• Completed UCT Application form (HR201), available online.

Important Notes / Deadlines

The closing date for applications is 14 October 2026.

Applications that fail to meet these requirements will be considered incomplete. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may need to undergo a competency test. For inquiries regarding the position, contact the HPI administrator at [email protected] using the reference number in the subject line. The telephone contact for inquiries is 021 650 4342.

FAQs

• What is the salary range for this role? The annual cost of employment ranges from R 448 889 to R 528 105 based on experience.
• When is the application deadline? Applications close on 14 October 2026.
• What are the minimum educational requirements? Candidates must possess an NQF6 Qualification.
• How should applications be submitted? Submit all files as a single PDF to [email protected] with reference E26928.
• Is remote work available? The role is a research appointment based at the University of Cape Town; remote status is Not specified by employer.
• How are candidates notified? Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may undergo a competency test.

Conclusion

Securing an Administrative Officer HPI-UCT Partnership in Digital Health Cape Town 2026 position places you at the center of academic health innovation. Verify your qualifications, compile your single PDF document, and submit it before the deadline. For more career listings, visit the official UCT Research School Portal.