Dean of Faculty: Education (P4) Five-year Fixed Term Contract. at Sol Plaatje University

Purpose

• The purpose of the position is to take responsibility for the academic leadership and management of the faculty through the provision of high-quality technically advanced and cost-effective educational service in alignment with the strategic objectives of the University. The incumbent will report to the DVC: Teaching & Learning and serves on various institutional committees.

Minimum Requirements

• A Doctoral degree at NQF Level 10 in any discipline of Education,
• An outstanding academic with an established track record, 
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience (research/lecturing) in the tertiary education sector, of which five (5) years at the level of Head of an academic Department/School or the level of Deputy/Assistant Dean with a demonstrable track record in managing and running an academic department/faculty,
• A proven academic leader and scholar with a distinguished publication and research record that is widely recognised and respected across institutional, national, and international academic and professional communities.

The candidate should:

• Have a successful record of providing strong management, leadership and teamwork, 
• Have the ability to mobilize and inspire others toward shared goals,
• Understand the operations and affairs of a university environment,
• Understand institutional cultural transformation and organizational alignment, 
• Think strategically and operationalise plans and projects,
• Plan and manage budgets,
• Engage in fundraising activities.

Recommendations

Teaching and Learning: 

• Demonstrates a sound understanding of developments and emerging trends in the higher education sector in South Africa and internationally.

Research: 

• Knowledge of the research funding networks and opportunities in South Africa and abroad. 

Community Engagement 

• Experience in the integration of community engagement in the teaching and learning, research, and service delivery activities of an academic department. 

The successful applicant will be an outstanding academic with an established track record in the discipline of Education and will have a proven ability in the following key performance areas:

• Strategy Development and Execution
• Resource and Operations Management
• Policy and Procedure development
• Teaching, Learning, and Programme Development
• Research
• Quality Assurance and Risk Management
• Safety, health, and environmental management
• Resource Management: Human Resources; Budget and Finance
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
• Fundraising activities

The Dean will be part of the University’s Senior Management Team with a good understanding and knowledge of:

• The faculty and how it relates to the University,
• Current requirements of working at a Higher Education Institution in South Africa,
• Developments in the higher education sector, locally and abroad,
• Education, training, and development systems and strategies in a tertiary context, including quality assurance systems,
• Market developments relating to graduate demand
• Research promotion and demands, and manage postgraduate affairs of the faculty,
• Research funding networks and opportunities in SA and abroad,
• Professional developments and bodies relevant to the faculty,
• Integration of community engagement in teaching and learning, research, and service delivery activities of an academic department,
• SPU Strategic Plan