Associate Professor in Social Work - (A803.1) at University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

Job Primary Purpose

• The main purpose of this position is to teach, research, engage with the community and perform administrative duties pertaining to Social Work. The position requires teaching, researching, community engagement and administration of Social Work modules in line with the University’s strategic and operational plans.

Key Performance Areas:

Teaching and Learning:

• The provision of leadership in teaching & learning at School and/or Programme level and teaching Social Work modules using modern and appropriate pedagogies.
• Programme development and accreditation.

Research:

• The provision of leadership in research at the Programme and/or  School level.
• A substantive level  of research  activity and the production of accredited research  outputs in national and international journals.
• A good record of Postgraduate supervision and the graduation of Masters' and Doctoral students in the minimum time.

Community Engagement: 

• Engagement and leadership in engagement, through which knowledge and skills are used to benefit the discipline/profession and the community.

Leadership and Administration:

• The provision of leadership at the level of the School and/or Discipline/Programme.

Minimum Requirements:

Educational Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Social Work obtained from an accredited university or institution.

Inherent Requirements:

• An extensive record of research outputs in Social Work, including publications in accredited national and international journals and presentations at national and international conferences.
• A substantial record of postgraduate supervision at Masters' and Doctoral levels in Social Work, with some of these students publishing their research.
• A strong  record of active participation in and leadership of learned societies in Social Work. 
• A strong  record of active participation in a leadership of learned societies.
• Extensive application of disciplinary/professional knowledge and skills to the benefit of the external community.

Key Competencies

• Sound functional knowledge and application of Social Work Concepts in South African and internal contexts.
• Sound functional knowledge and application of Social Work concepts in research locally and internationally.
• Sound functional knowledge and application of Social Work concepts in community engagement locally and international contexts.
• Sound functional knowledge and application of Social Work in leadership and administrative functions in South Africa and in international contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to understand, teach and analyse paradigms in Social Work in local and international contexts.
• Demonstrate ability to use advanced research tools.
• Demonstrate ability to engage stakeholders of the University.
• Demonstrate ability to utilise administrative systems.
• Ability to conduct lectures and assessments in Social Work using blended methods of teaching utilising technology such as Moodle platforms.
• Ability to conduct research with high impact.
• Ability to engage communities and stakeholders of the University.
• Ability to manage administrative functions.
• Ability to work with senior management and other relevant stakeholders in the institution and outside the University and to provide Social Work teaching insights and advice locally and internationally. 
• Ability to work with senior management and other relevant stakeholders in the institution and outside the institution to support research activities locally and internationally. 
• Ability to work with senior management and other relevant stakeholders in the university and outside the university to promote community engagement initiatives, insights and advice locally and internationally. 
• Ability to work with senior management and other relevant stakeholders in the university to support administrative strategies, initiatives and advice locally and internationally.

Personal Attributes

• People orientated, hard worker, responsible, creative and innovative.
• Respectful, honesty, punctuality and understand protocol.
• Proven attributes of transparency, integrity and teamwork.

Advert Closing Date

• 15/1/2026