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Administration Officer
Administration officers perform a range of administrative tasks to ensure an organisation functions efficiently. Administration officers are required to have an understanding of the purpose and background of the organization they are working for and the roles of other staff.
They must know about office methods and systems, office equipment, software packages and health and safety in the workplace. They may also need to have knowledge of budgeting and report writing.
The job of administration officers has changed significantly in recent years. Whereas, previously, administration officers spent a lot of time performing traditional administrative tasks such as typing and filing, increasingly the job has expanded to include project management or support work, desktop publishing, computer training and assistance and web page development.
New technology has had a major impact on the role of administration officers. Increased office automation has assisted administrative work, making administration officers more efficient and productive, and in some organizations this has meant a reduction in the number of administration officers employed. Experience in computer software programmes is becoming increasingly important and continuing advances made in information technology mean that they will be required to continually update their IT knowledge in the foreseeable future.
Administration officers usually work regular office hours. Administration officers use computers, software packages, fax machines, telephone systems, filing systems; salary and leave record systems; photocopiers and binding machines. They may also be required to use a company car and have knowledge of statutes, Acts and other regulations.
Satisfying Aspects
- regular office hours and a five-day week
- pleasant, clean working environment
- opportunities to be creative and to specialize
- scope for advancement
- variety of work
Demanding aspects
- frustration of routine work
- working with difficult people
- restricted movement in office
- sharing office accommodation
- the fact that results of efforts are not easily measurable
Requirements
- time management skills
- good communication and writing skills
- problem-solving skills
- computer literacy, with word processing skills.
- ability to multitask and work well within a team environment
- tolerant, helpful and friendly
- responsible and reliable
- neat and accurate
- adaptability, to take on new responsibilities as required
- aptitude for figures
- clean and tidy appearance
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory subjects: None
Recommended subjects: English, Geography, Economics, Accounting
Training
Degree: Most universities offer a BAdmin degree, alternatively a BA degree, with such majors as: Business Administration, an official language, Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Sociology, Communication, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics and/or Business Economics. Public Administration is offered at NMMU, UFH, UWC, UV and UNISA.
Diploma: Most universities of technology offer diplomas in Public Management and a CIS can be very useful in this career. - eg CPUT, TUT.
Many administration officers gain skills on the job and many will be required to attend regular training courses on office procedures and information technology. Various government departments offer further in-service training. .
Employer
- most commercial firms and large industrial organizations
- banks and building societies
- government departments
Contact
Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators
P O Box 331
Wits, 2050
14th Floor, Sable Centre
41 De Korte Street
Braamfontein
Tel: (011) 403-2900 Fax: (011) 403-1522
Institute of Administration & Commerce of South Africa
P O Box 36477
Glosderry, 7702
252 Rosmead Avenue
Wynberg
Tel: (021) 761-6211 Fax: (086) 637-6989
www.iacsa.co.za
www.icsa.co.za