Academic Head of Division - Paediatric Neurology (AC.06.3) at University of the Witwatersrand

Brief Posting Description

• The Division of Neurology in the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health invites suitably qualified Joint staff, interested in being part of a dynamic, growing academic division, to apply for this Academic Headship.
• This position would be suitable for those with a commitment to academic excellence and educational leadership in a multi-disciplinary environment, exceptional interpersonal skills, capacity for innovative and original thinking, ability to exercise a high degree of personal initiative in organising his/her own responsibilities and a commitment to working to deadlines calmly and efficiently.

Qualifications:

• A medical qualification, registerable with the HPCSA as a specialist
• The candidate must be a sub-specialist in Paediatric Neurology and a full-time employee within the Wits Teaching platform (Current Joint staff).
• At least 5 years' experience as a Paediatric sub specialist in Neurology,
• At least 5 years’ experience at mid-management level,
• Appropriate teaching and research experience are essential requirements for the position, whereas a PhD would be advantageous.
• The applicant must have demonstrated well-developed proven communication, organizational, problem solving, leadership and project management skills.
• Must have the ability to manage change in the division.
• Management experience, in particular academic activities of postgraduate and undergraduate students is a requirement,
• Be at least at the level of Adjunct or Associate Professor or qualify to be awarded the academic title within a 5 year period.

Duties:

• Lead and manage the discipline across all training facilities,
• Formulate an academic vision and designs and execute both undergraduate and post graduate teaching in line with the vision,
• Strengthen research in the division,
• Provide tools and create an academic environment for optimal teaching and training for all categories of staff (academic and professional) and students, both under – and postgraduate,
• Set teaching, training and research goals in collaboration with other members of the academic and clinical service staff,
• Formulates assessment tools for all academic programmes,
• Benchmark academic outputs against national performance and identify opportunities to approve,
• Collaborate with clinical heads in improving academic outputs,
• Establish and maintain academic excellence,
• Promote staff development and manage staff performance and assessment within the division,
• Mentor academic and professional staff for promotion in the university,
• Provide support to the divisions that are part of the department,
• Work with divisional heads to ensure sound financial and Human Resources management,
• Encourage collaboration between divisions working across the teaching platforms,
• Chairs academic meetings in the division,
• Attend divisional meetings at each of the academic training facilities,
• Participate in Faculty Board meetings,
• Contribute to the leadership of cluster C by participating in the management structures,
• The awarding of the title Professor/Associate Professor/Adjunct Professor will depend on the successful candidate's qualifications, research and other academic criteria as determined by the faculty guidelines and approval at Staffing & Promotions when applied for. Click here for the Promotion Criteria.pdf

Closing Date: 20 October 2025