Director (Professor/Associate Professor) (P5) (Strategic Initiatives & Administration Division: Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study) (5-Year Fixed Term Contract) at University of Johannesburg

Job Purpose:

• The Director will be responsible for strategic leadership, inter alia directing and shaping the future of the JIAS. Institutes for Advanced Study are designed to afford top quality researchers with an opportunity to focus entirely on their central calling in their respective fields, either individually or in collaborative enterprise and JIAS is expected to continue to be an exemplar for such institutes the world over. The Director should have a strong national and international network of collaborators, the ability to expand and foster new partnerships and ensure the financial self-sustainability of the Institute. To contribute to the University’s positioning as a Pan-African university, the Director should also have a sound knowledge of Pan-Africanism in its broadest sense. The Director should be astute in driving policy and strategy and have a passion for teaching, postgraduate student training, and supervision.

Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership

• Determine, articulate, implement, and lead the JIAS strategic initiatives to enhance the UJ’s national, regional, and international reputation and performance in accordance with its strategic objectives, including Global Excellence and Stature in the context of Technology for the Future, African Union Agenda 2063, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Societal Impact.
• Ensure the financial self-sustainability of the JIAS through networking and fundraising (in conjunction with the UJ’s Development Office).
• Lead towards achieving the institute’s mission of catalysing change with foresight and having real-world impact.

Research, Teaching and Learning

• Track multiple projects, teams, and university management, in terms of deadlines, and deliverables.
• Contribute towards other academic programmes, including curriculum development, supervision of postgraduate students, and hosting postdoctoral research fellows.
• Proactively manage project implementation and coordination with other external stakeholders.
• Contribute towards the generation of new knowledge and thought-leadership through an active research and media profile.

Resources and People Management

• Ensure effective and efficient management of the JIAS research cost centres, finances, and other resources.
• Effectively manage academic, administrative, and professional support staff, including staff and visiting academic recruitment, development, and retention.

Stakeholder Relationship Management and Liaison

• Build and maintain key relationships with partner institutes and research networks.
• Develop and participate in workshops and immersive partner engagements.
• Network and participate in fundraising events (in conjunction with the University's Development Office).
• Take a consultative approach with relevant university executives (Deans, Vice-Deans, and others) towards a strategy that is developed with relevant stakeholders of the university.

Minimum requirements

• PhD in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Public Policy, Philosophy, Political Science, International Relations, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 5-8 years' relevant leadership experience in an academic, research, or interdisciplinary institute or academic environment.
• Substantive research portfolio (including accredited publications) or significant professional experience.
• Professional networking and fundraising experience, and an ability to work productively with partners.
• A track record of successfully securing both national and international funding in thematic areas of global importance, for example, SDGs.
• A track record of successful postgraduate student and postdoctoral supervision.
• A track record of leadership, governance, organisational management, administration, and financial management.

Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:

• Ability to conduct and direct research and communicate ideas to a range of stakeholders.
• Proven experience in the use of technology, and information systems for management.
• Management and high-level administrative skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work to deadlines, and under pressure.
• Strategic thinking and planning.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Excellent leadership and management.
• Excellent report writing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Excellent business skills (Financial management).
• Excellent performance management skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify and mitigate risks.
• Collegiality and emotionally intelligence.
• Ability to work in a pressurised environment and independently.
• High level of integrity and ethical standards.

Deadline:25th September,2026