Lerato Molefe
Programme Administrator
Pretoria East
Summary
Experienced Programme Administrator with over 10 years’ experience providing high-level administrative, financial, and operational support to donor-funded programmes within research, policy, and public sector environments. Currently supporting the Justice, Violence Prevention and Prosecution Reform (JVP) Programme at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). Demonstrated expertise in programme coordination, budget monitoring, compliance with donor and institutional requirements, logistics and event management, procurement processes, stakeholder liaison, and records management. Strong background in public finance with sound knowledge of PFMA, MFMA, Treasury Regulations, and GRAP standards. Highly organised, detail-oriented, and proactive, with the ability to support multiple programmes and senior stakeholders effectively.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Programme / Project Administrator
INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (ISS)
Pretoria, Gauteng
07.2021 - Current
- Reporting to the Programme Manager, providing comprehensive administrative and operational support to a donor-funded programme.
- Provide end-to-end programme administration support to ensure effective implementation of programme activities.
- Coordinate local and international travel for programme staff and stakeholders, including flights, accommodation, per diems, travel advances, and travel insurance.
- Manage and monitor programme budgets using the Budget Monitoring Tool (BMT), tracking expenditure against approved budgets.
- Advise programme management on expenditure trends, variances, and budget utilisation to support decision-making.
- Ensure compliance with donor agreements, PFMA, Treasury Regulations, and institutional financial policies.
- Coordinate procurement processes, including sourcing quotations, liaising with service providers, and raising purchase orders.
- Support financial reporting processes and preparation for audits.
- Ensure reconciliation of travel advances and per diems and submission to Finance.
- Plan and coordinate programme meetings, workshops, and events (in-person and virtual).
- Schedule meetings using Outlook and MS Teams and prepare meeting documentation.
- Draft, collate, and distribute meeting minutes, action items, and progress updates within required timeframes.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date programme records on SharePoint, Dropbox, and the organisational intranet.
- Manage consultant documentation, contracts, and records.
- Maintain programme contact databases and the programme library.
- Provide research and administrative support to programme staff as required.
- International exposure includes coordination of activities in Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, Seychelles, USA, and Europe.
Human Resources & Programme Administrator
INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (ISS)
Pretoria, Gauteng
05.2017 - 07.2021
- Reporting to the Director of Operations and Human Resources.
- Provided programme and operational administrative support across multiple regions.
- Managed leave administration including annual, sick, maternity, study, and family responsibility leave.
- Maintained accurate leave records and addressed leave-related queries.
- Generated annual VIP leave provision reports and submitted to Finance.
- Advised employees on maternity leave processes and completed UIF documentation.
- Coordinated skills development and training programmes.
- Compiled and submitted the Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR) to ETDP SETA.
- Coordinated staff training logistics and maintained training records.
- Managed visa, work permit, and relocation processes for international employees.
- Accurately recorded programme transactions using the Budget Monitoring Template (BMT).
- Conducted weekly budget reconciliations using general ledger and variance reports.
- Coordinated logistics and travel arrangements for staff.
- Scheduled programme and operational meetings for senior management.
Bookkeeper & Accounts Assistant
THE SPAR GROUP
Pretoria, Gauteng
01.2014 - 12.2016
- Reporting to the Office Manager.
- Captured daily financial transactions using Pastel, Easy Accounting, and Accpac.
- Performed bank reconciliations and resolved discrepancies.
- Processed accounts payable and receivable.
- Managed supplier invoices, payments, and customer billing.
- Followed up on outstanding balances.
- Ensured compliance with South African tax and accounting regulations.
Education
Masters of Business Studies - Accounting And Finance
04.2001 -
Honours Degree - Public Finance
12-2025
Advanced Diploma - Public Finance
12-2024
National Diploma - Local Government Finance
12-2013
Skills
Adaptability
Certification
Microsoft Excel – Advanced Functions, SAGE University
References
Available on request
Skills And Systems
- MS Office Suite (Advanced Excel)
- SharePoint
- Dropbox
- Intranet Systems
- MS Teams
- Zoom
- Skype
- Budget Monitoring Tools (BMT)
- Financial and Programme Administration
- PFMA
- MFMA
- Treasury Regulations
- GRAP Standards
Awards
- ISS Excellence Award, Institute for Security Studies, 2024
- NPA Capability Enhancement Initiative Award, National Prosecuting Authority, 2022
Timeline
Programme / Project Administrator - INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (ISS)
07.2021 - Current
Microsoft Excel – Advanced Functions, SAGE University
12-2020
BSAFE Certification, United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS)
12-2020
Human Resources & Programme Administrator - INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (ISS)
05.2017 - 07.2021
Bookkeeper & Accounts Assistant - THE SPAR GROUP
01.2014 - 12.2016
Tshwane University of Technology - Masters of Business Studies , Accounting And Finance
04.2001 -
Tshwane University of Technology - Honours Degree, Public Finance
Tshwane University of Technology - Advanced Diploma, Public Finance
Tshwane University of Technology - National Diploma, Local Government Finance