Vacant Position – Payroll and Benefits Officer

Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Junior
Work Location: City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality-TSH, Gauteng

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT and KAT-7 telescopes in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

The People and Culture Department seeks to appoint the Payroll and Benefits officer whose key responsibilities will include To ensure the smooth, accurate, and efficient running of the NRF’s Payroll Management and HR Administration (Including employee benefits).

Key Responsibilities:
* Administer Full Payroll processing, this includes but not limited to: Consolidation of all Business Units (BU) Payrolls, Generating of the General Ledger file, Balancing of the Payroll, Creation of the EFT file and Third Party File and make Payments to both Employees and Relevant parties timeously;
* Reconcile PAYE and UIF payments monthly.
* Generate yearly payroll schedules and distribute to all BU.
* Implements, maintains, and reviews payroll processing for both recurring & non-recurring inputs to ensure timely and accurate payroll transactions, including salaries, new hires, terminations, changes to pay rates, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
* Maintain a payroll data that is accurate, timely, compliant and meets all regulatory, legal and audit requirements, without exception.
* Provide payroll support to BU administrators.
* Facilitates audits by providing records and documentation to auditors.
* Reconcile medical aid payments to the billing received from medical aid provider and correct any discrepancies promptly
* Review new entrant forms to ensure accuracy and responsible for submitting the form to the fund administrators.
* Review manual retirement claims forms submitted by the employees for accuracy and legislative compliance and submit the claims on the administrator’s online system
* Keep abreast of best practices and legislative updates, focusing on Employee Benefits, the NRF Retirement Fund (Pension Funds Act & related legislation) and Medial Aids (Medical Schemes Act and related circulars).
* Assist with Benefits process changes and manage the implementation thereof.
* Identify risks relating to SLA, policy and legislative compliance and make recommendations about remedial actions.
* Reconcile monthly payroll general ledger accounts.
* Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports.
* Prepare ad hoc reports as requested.
* Reconcile, Generate and Submit IRP5’s for both Bi-annual and Tax year end.
* UIF – Ensure that monthly declarations are submitted though to the DOL and ensure that queries are attended promptly and resolved asap.

Key Requirements:
Qualification:
* National Diploma in HR/Accounting/Payroll Administration (NQF6)
* 3-5 years solid end-to-end working experience in payroll administration
* HRIS experience
* Experience in processing payroll of 500+ is desirable

Experience:
* Verbal and written skills
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Intermediate MSOffice skills

Knowledge:
* Understand end-to-end HR value chain
* Understand HR legislation
* Knowledge of personal income tax (tax brackets, rebates and calculations)
* Knowledge of benefits administration

Additional Notes:
* Problem-solving
* Analytical
* High level of integrity

Information:
The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.

Applications:
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by logging to https://ess.nrf.ac.za/Account/Recruitment and apply online. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant􀂷s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

Closing Date: 02 November 2026

The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.

The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only