Deputy Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies (N002720) at North West University

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy development

• Co-determine faculty strategy and joint accountability for the implementation thereof.
• Jointly accountable for the successful implementation of the NWU Research strategy.
• Jointly accountable for the successful implementation of the overall NWU strategy.
• Translate the faculty strategy into a site implementation plan and operationalise.

Operational Management

• Lead and direct day-to-day operational planning, performance and quality enduring alignment with the faculty plan.
• Participate in planning with Schools and the annual faculty calendar.
• Oversee and manage utilisation of resources and finances as allocated by the Executive Dean.
• Deputise for the Executive Dean.
• Accountable across campus as Chairperson of relevant faculty board committee(s).

Research

• Maintain a research environment and support infrastructure enabling world-class research.
• Implement inter- and trans-disciplinary research that differentiates the NWU nationally and internationally.
• Participate in national and international collaborations addressing NWU niche research areas.
• Continuous improvement of research outputs (quality and quantity) to positively impact national and international standing.
• Promote the faculty through market trends and needs identification.
• Clustering research and innovation appropriately around agreed research themes focusing on national and international imperatives.
• Coordinate fundamental research, applied research, research in application, curiosity-driven research, blue skies research and directed research.
• Facilitate differentiation and third-stream revenue generation through innovation and commercialisation.

Community Engagement

• Support community engagement activities that are integrated with research and innovation.
• Socially responsive local community projects, supportive of faculty objectives and departmental programme content.

Student Relations

• Liaise with students and parents, build relationships and resolve escalations.
• Increase students’ identification and association with the faculty and its operations across campuses.

Postgraduate Studies

• Accountable for enrolment planning, admissions, terminations, programme delivery, examination, moderation and overall quality.
• Day-to-day management of postgraduate programmes, e.g., allocation of study leaders, timetables, venues, student requests and complaints, recording and financial obligations.
• Ensure effective policies, processes and faculty academic rules (calendars) regarding the management of undergraduate programmes and ensure that it is complied with to ensure the quality of academic programmes.
• Cooperation with the Deputy Deans to ensure the quality of the academic programmes and to address the shortcomings in the management of postgraduate programmes.
• Manage the selection process and be actively involved in the registration of students in coordination with the Administrative Manager.
• Implement and manage an effective system to deal with student’s requests and grievances (including appointments with students).
• Attend to requests/queries by supervisors and lecturers.
• Ongoing review of the curriculum and ensure the implementation of changes.
• Reflect on the teaching and learning methodology of postgraduate coursework programmes on an ongoing basis to adapt to the needs of present-day students and the demands of the modern technological era and see to it that it is implemented successfully, considering different delivery modes.
• Implement and oversee a secure and effective system for assessment and moderation.
• Monitor the throughput of postgraduate students and determine strategies to reach the NWU targets and improve student success.
• Administer an effective system to identify and support students who are not performing (as-risk students).
• Administer an effective system to terminate the studies of students who do not perform adequately.
• Involved in student disciplinary matters within the faculty and referred to the Student Disciplinary Committee/Appeals Committee for student matters.
• Attending meetings to see that the faculty’s interests are met and to stay abreast of developments.
• Manage, assist and provide leadership and mentorship to the Deputy Directors of Postgraduate Studies.

Management and Leadership

• Faculty effectiveness and efficiency inclusive of infrastructure and facilities.
• Joint accountability with leadership team for management effectiveness of the institution.
• Stakeholder relationship development and effectiveness.
• Corporate governance, conformance, reporting and risk management.
• Cost management and cost effectiveness.
• Faculty processes and systems implementation, utilisation, effectiveness and efficiency.
• Personal effectiveness, wholeness and development.
• Values-based behaviour leadership and personal compliance.

Minimum requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A PhD in one of the faculty’s disciplines (NQF level 10).
• Five (5) to ten (10) years’ senior management experience.
• Significant research and postgraduate studies experience within the higher education environment.
• Membership and/or professional registration with appropriate academic and professional networks/bodies.
• Experience in financial management and budgeting.
• A distinguished record of research and scholarship excellence.
• A track record of developing and maintaining relationships with research-funding and professional bodies. 

ADDED ADVANTAGE:

• An NRF rating.