Director, Data Science Manager, Security

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS)

DIVISION: DVC: OPERATIONS, DIGITAL AND AI SYSTEMS – PROTECTION SERVICES

POSITION NUMBER: N000196

VACANCY: DIRECTOR: PROTECTION SERVICES

PEROMNES GRADE: P5

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT

To provide strategic and operational leadership for Protection Services across the NWU, ensuring a safe, secure and compliant university environment for students, staff, visitors and property. The role is accountable for the development and implementation of institution-wide safety and security strategies, intelligence-led crime prevention, investigations, emergency and disaster preparedness, stakeholder coordination, outsourced security oversight, compliance with relevant legislation, and the continuous professionalisation of Protection Services across the multi-campus environment.

• A master’s degree in Security Management or related field (NQF Level
  9).
• Grade A PSIRA registered.
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ relevant experience in protection services, safety and security management, law enforcement, policing, military, intelligence, risk management or a related security environment, of which at least 5 years must have been at senior management level.

• Co-determine and implement the Protection Services strategy in alignment with the NWU strategy, multi-campus operating model and national imperatives. Develop and oversee comprehensive safety and security plans, including institutional risk assessments, crime-prevention priorities and technology-enabled security solutions.
• Ensure Protection Services contributes to institutional resilience, student and staff safety, and continuity of operations.
• Institutionalise sector policing and advance strategic safety initiatives, including CID-related models where applicable.
• Oversee the implementation and periodic review of NWU’s Gender-Based Violence response protocol to ensure alignment with DHET policy requirements and effective institutional response across campuses.

• Lead the investigation of serious incidents affecting the safety of students, staff, visitors and university property.
• Manage the investigation caseload, case allocation, investigation timelines, dockets, evidence management and investigation records, including systems such as CHASE.
• Use crime intelligence, incident trends and hotspot analysis to inform resource deployment, visible policing and proactive crime-prevention interventions.

• Ensure effective day-to-day security operations across campuses, including access control, parking management, special-event security, visible patrols, tactical response and outsourced security services.
• Develop, maintain and monitor SOPs to reduce crime, strengthen operational consistency and ensure service-level agreements with internal and external service providers are properly managed.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and institutional policies, including the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, Criminal Procedure Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, SASREA where applicable, and relevant NWU policies and procedures.
• Ensure that Protection Services personnel are appropriately trained, competent, ethical and professional in the execution of their duties.
• Maintain appropriate standards of conduct, confidentiality, discipline and accountability across the function.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, external law-enforcement agencies, local authorities, community safety structures and relevant partners.
• Prepare and present formal and informal safety and security briefings to university stakeholders and external forums.
• Represent NWU in relevant structures, including the City Improvement District where applicable, to advance the safety and security of students, staff and the broader university community.

• Lead, manage and develop Protection Services staff to ensure competence, discipline, ethical conduct…