Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

CHANTAL GOVINDSAMY

Durban

Summary

With over 20 years of experience in the higher education sector, I am highly skilled and an accomplished administrative specialist with the necessary qualifications and the knowledge which I have gained through the years to utilize that knowledge in any organization. My expertise lies in initiating and managing the administrative functions of teaching and learning across various departments. I have proven track record of successfully navigating complex and dynamic environments, taking ownership of tasks with a high level of responsibility and effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Administrative Officer

University Of KwaZulu-Natal
08.2014 - 05.2024
  • Coordinate the academic administration and process management
  • Supervise administrative staff supporting the academic program to fulfill program support requirements
  • Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to produce reports for internal and external use, including accreditation reviews.
  • Write reports and prepare presentations about the academic program, instructional activity, program planning.
  • Develop the semesterly course schedule for graduate, undergraduate learning courses.
  • Coordinate space requirements and classroom logistics as needed to ensure seamless delivery of instruction. Coordinate the submission and development process for new course offerings, new programs and program revisions.
  • Serve as a liaison with other academic and administrative departments regarding the academic program, representing the program on cross-functional teams, policy committee, and work groups.
  • Coordinate the recruitment and credentialing of adjunct faculty.
  • Prepare materials and assessments for posting via online.
  • Perform other administrative and analytical duties supporting the academic mission of the department, college, or unit.
  • Enhanced overall office productivity through effective staff management and coordination of daily tasks.
  • Oversee office inventory activities by ordering stationery and office equipment
  • Improved communication within the organization through regular updates on policies, procedures, and key events.

Senior Administrative Officer

University Of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2010 - 07.2014
  • Responsible for all administrative functions relating to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
  • Provided continuous quality review and spearheaded procedures and processes for program improvement.
  • Expertly organized logistics for functions, academics, external stakeholders both within and outside of organization
  • Prepared flawless emails and technical memorandums upon direction of immediate supervisor.
  • Responsible for all secretarial functions
  • Acted as backup for other administrative assistants by providing task support and adapting to individual needs.
  • Financial responsibilities within the discipline psychiatry
  • Developed and maintained productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support increased business.
  • Arranged business travel details for company executives on moment's notice.
  • Managed staff development, underperformance issues and employee relations to adopt consistent, fair and objective decision-making.

Faculty Officer

University Of KwaZulu-Natal
10.2009 - 03.2010
  • Providing students with admission information pertaining to the programme, the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBCHB) being offered at the Nelson R Mandela School of medicine
  • Printing of the academic records daily and delivering of the academic records to the dean of the faculty.
  • Ensuring adequate stock of stationery and supplies in the office liaising with the buying office regarding purchase of furniture for the department.
  • Liaise with the travel agents for flight bookings and accommodation assisting the head of department with the compilation of documents for selection process.
  • Assisting the Head of Department with all student administration.
  • Enhanced communication between team members by organizing regular meetings and fostering open dialogue.
  • Improved department efficiency by streamlining and implementing policies and processes.
  • Established effective relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally for increased collaboration opportunities.
  • Improved team morale and performance with consistent feedback and recognition of achievements.
  • Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
  • Developed effective improvement plans in alignment with goals and specifications.

Secretary

University Of Kwazulu-Natal - Edgewood Campus
01.2009 - 09.2009
  • Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining confidentiality when managing personnel files or financial data.
  • Answered multi-line phone system and enthusiastically greeted callers.
  • Maintained daily report documents, memos and invoices.
  • Scheduled appointments and conducted follow-up calls to clients.
  • Provided a complete secretarial and administrative support service to the deputy dean and faculty manager.
  • Kept a record of the deputy dean's diary. Handling and re-directing student queries for all departments within the faculty keeping a diary, making appointments, setting up meetings and arranging for office functions.
  • Liaised with the deputy dean and faculty manager to compile agendas for meetings. Committee officer responsibilities.
  • Prepared professional correspondence, including memos, letters, and emails, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
  • Maintained electronic filing systems and categorized documents.
  • Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
  • Managed executive calendars, scheduling appointments and meetings to optimize time management.
  • Promoted a positive image of the organization through clear communication both internally with colleagues and externally with clients.
  • Assisted in event planning and execution for company functions such as conferences, workshops, or social gatherings.
  • Coordinated travel arrangements for senior staff, ensuring smooth business trips with minimal disruptions.
  • Assisted in preparing detailed reports for management, enabling informed decision-making.
  • Provided comprehensive support to new staff, facilitating faster integration into team.

Administrative/Module Administrator

University Of Kwazulu-Natal - Edgewood Campus
05.2007 - 09.2009
  • Managing the day-to-day operations of the office, including addressing enquiries from internal staff members
  • Act as a point of contact between relevant stakeholders.
  • Coordinating all the administrative functions for students.
  • Preparing the forms for students to complete when selecting schools, maintain a database of the school selection by students.
  • Fulfilling the role of a finance officer and events planner. planning and organizing workshops for teachers from various schools in kwazulu natal.
  • Manage the new module development for pipeline programmes and manage the existing programmes for the curriculum
  • Oversee the sourcing and contracting of writers and moderators
  • Ensure new modules curriculum is aligned to appropriate NQF level
  • Facilitated timely readiness of new module guides for student intake
  • Maintaining student records files of all bachelor of education (b.ed) and postgradraduate certificate/diploma in education (pgce/pgde) students.
  • Maintained a database of students applying for travel subsidy.
  • Responsible for committee officer duties for meetings
  • Managing the office under no supervision, advising students when needed.
  • Ensuring that the postgraduate students follow the correct process for admission requirements for the postgraduate certificate/diploma in education
  • Prepare a report to the postgraduate coordinator with stats.
  • Assist the coordinator in preparing for the faculty exam board meeting.

Financial Assistant

Shoprite Checkers Divisional Office
05.2006 - 11.2006
  • Reconciled statements and accounts.
  • Supported clients needs by providing timely responses to inquiries regarding account status or transactions processed.
  • Managed accounts payable processes, ensuring prompt payment of invoices while avoiding duplicate payments or late fees.
  • Facilitated the development of strong vendor relationships through consistent communication on payment schedules.
  • Preparing the balance sheets and entering data into the system. updating the financial records correctly.
  • Obtaining sales figures for shoprite stores for the gauteng province.
  • Overseeing client accounts and
  • Improved cash flow management by regularly tracking receivables and payables.
  • Assisted in the preparation of monthly financial statements, contributing to a more organized system.
  • Prepared reports used in making key decisions.
  • Managed office inventory and ordered new supplies when items were running low.
  • Organized budget documentation and tracked expenses to maintain tight business controls.
  • Managed and responded to correspondence and inquiries from customers and vendors.
  • Handled day-to-day accounting processes to drive financial accuracy.

Client Service Consultant/Policy Administrator

Metropolitan Life Insurance
11.1998 - 12.2005
  • Assisted in the development of customized solutions for specific client challenges, resulting in increased satisfaction levels.
  • Monitored client accounts to proactively identify issues and provide prompt resolution.
  • Updated accounts, documents and reports with efficiency and accuracy.
  • Maintained detailed records of client interactions in CRM system, enabling efficient follow-up and ongoing relationship management.
  • Provided customers with information about company offerings and answered questions about features, costs, and delivery.
  • Led client service initiatives that resulted in improved efficiency and effectiveness of overall operations, ultimately leading to increased profitability.
  • Enhanced client satisfaction by providing timely and accurate support for inquiries and concerns.
  • Delivered exceptional customer service by consistently exceeding expectations in responsiveness and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Maintained detailed client records with both personal and payment information.
  • Responded to customer concerns with friendly, knowledgeable service, and resolved issues quickly to deliver prompt service.
  • Educated clients on services and products available.
  • Utilized active listening skills to identify customer needs and provide appropriate solutions.
  • Maintained accurate record-keeping with proactive attention to client information updates.

Education

Postgraduate Diploma in Management - Management

University of KwaZulu Natal
Durban
12.2023

Advanced Diploma in Operations Management - Operations Management

Durban University of Technology
Durban
12.2022

Diploma in Operations Management - Operations Management

Durban University of Technology
Durban
12.2021

Skills

  • Communication and organizational skills
  • Multitasking and teamwork
  • Problem solving to achieve positive outcomes
  • Time Management also enables me to work well under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines To focus on work and not getting distracted
  • Active listening and decision making to access the situation and make the right decision
  • Management and leadership skills
  • Customer service
  • Critical thinking whereby the decision-making process is crucial and develop innovative solutions
  • Attention to detail, to have the mindset that I must identify even the smallest problems or errors which will enable me to deliver high, accurate and quality work
  • Scheduling and calendar management
  • Records Management
  • Human Resources Support

Accomplishments

    Microsoft Office Packages

    IT Essentials, Microsoft Office 2000, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Corel, Wordperfect suite 2000 Wordperfect Quattro, Pro Presentations

    Information Network Service

Languages

English
Advanced (C1)
Isizulu
Beginner (A1)
Afrikaans
Intermediate (B1)

Additional Information


Dr S Saloojee (contactable)

UKZN - Nelson R Mandela School Medicine

Undergraduate coordinator


Dr A Sukool (contactable)

University of Kwazulu Natal

Undergraduate coordinator


Dr R Abrahams (contactable)

University of Kwazulu Natal

Head of Department – Clinical skills


Dr U Chhagan (contactable)

Department of Health Addington Hospital - Head of unit


Prof B Chiliza (contactable)

University of KwaZulu Natal – Psychiatry

Head of Department


Timeline

Administrative Officer

University Of KwaZulu-Natal
08.2014 - 05.2024

Senior Administrative Officer

University Of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2010 - 07.2014

Faculty Officer

University Of KwaZulu-Natal
10.2009 - 03.2010

Secretary

University Of Kwazulu-Natal - Edgewood Campus
01.2009 - 09.2009

Administrative/Module Administrator

University Of Kwazulu-Natal - Edgewood Campus
05.2007 - 09.2009

Financial Assistant

Shoprite Checkers Divisional Office
05.2006 - 11.2006

Client Service Consultant/Policy Administrator

Metropolitan Life Insurance
11.1998 - 12.2005

Postgraduate Diploma in Management - Management

University of KwaZulu Natal

Advanced Diploma in Operations Management - Operations Management

Durban University of Technology

Diploma in Operations Management - Operations Management

Durban University of Technology

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CHANTAL GOVINDSAMY