Director: Unit for Open Distant Learning at North West University

Job description
1.    Operation and Administration
Responsibilities entail:

•          Maintain and expand the transformation policy of the NWU especially w.r.t. equity norms.
•          In cooperation with the DVC IP and Deans determine and administrate enrolment numbers.
•          Expansion of ODL to all campuses as centralised function.
•          Delivery of NWU programmes in collaboration with SALAin SA and SADC countries according to the needs of the faculties.
•          Expansion of projects in cooperation with Deans.
•          Establishment of a UnivPrep programme at the NWU.
•          Regular national and international evaluation to determine quality.
•          Continuous liaison with collaborators/role-players for effective recommendation of ODL as mode of delivery.
•          Curriculum control of all registered ODL students
•          Collaboration with SALA concerning support for the functioning of effective system control between registration and dispatch office
•          Effective operation of assessment of all ODL students: assignments, tests
•          Effective functioning of call centre w.r.t. student requests –enquiries, complaints, and following up of outcomes
•          Monthly liaison with administrative collaborators in SALA and other support divisions (eg CTL) w.r.t. effective operations according to NWU policy and contract in terms of students who are administratively and logistically supported by them
•          At present, ± 26 000 students in more than 14 programmes in five faculties are served by this component.

 
2.    E-Learning Support
The UODL offers the following services in cooperation with ITC and Academic Support Services:

•          Training of academic personnel in the use of ODL technology
•          Ensure that sufficient and suitable technology is available at the UODL and study centres
•          Continuous improvement and expansion of technology for effective class presentations
•          Ensure that ODL students have access to effective means of storing/saving the lectures; use of Facebook, internet
•          Effective application and expansion of students learning systems, e.g. Moodle, eFundi, Quality of lecture broadcasting
•          Liaison with academic managers to ensure that academic classes run smoothly, e.g. timetable of class broadcasts, lecturers involved
•          Regular liaison with IT staff at centres
•          Expansion and maintenance of Wi-Fi at centres.

          
3.    Study Centres
At present the UODL serves 66 study centres, each equipped with various technological apparatus, a full-time centre manager, at least two IT staff members, and a resource centre manager. The overarching responsibilities of the Director entail:

•          Ensuring that sufficient staff are available at centres, including facilitators, for effective presentation of lectures and further support to students
•          Compilation of annual calendars in terms of classes at centres, including holiday schools
•          Setting up of contracts with temporary staff at centres
•          Record keeping at centres w.r.t. attendance numbers, complaints, etc.
•          Liaison with external stakeholders involved in the Study Centres support
•          Liaison with internal stakeholders involved in ODL programme academic provision as well as support.

 
4.    Project and Short-learning programmes (SLPs)

•          Liaison with government and private institutions regarding existing contracts for training in terms of programmes and SLPs
•          Liaison with government and private institutions and faculties regarding entering into new contracts
•          Entering into agreements with TVET colleges for presentation of programmes that could articulate to university admission, e.g. ECD, UnivPrep
•          Operation and expansion of UnivPrep
•          Regular liaison with Deans for implementation of new programmes
•          Liaison with support institutions, e.g. SETA, Pedisa for bursaries to prospective students.

 
5.    Quality Management

•          Ensure that the quality processes of the UODL and its various divisions are in place and regularly monitored
•          Quality at the UODL maintained according to NWU policy
•          Sampling used to research certain academic processes, e.g. quality of marking, question papers
•          Planning of internal audits of divisions, compilation of development plans and monitoring it
•          Operates in cooperation with NWU external audits, e.g. international audits of ODL done at NWU
•          Responsibility for successful follow-up of student complaints
•          Support of faculties w.r.t. logistics in terms of WIL
•          Continued action research in terms of student experience, quality of presentations, centre evaluations, quality of exams, for use in continued successful management of ODL.
•          Employee wellness.

          
6.    Financial Planning

•          Setup of annual budget for ODL operation
•          Liaison with Deans regarding budget for the ODL expenses of each Faculty
•          Regular evaluation of income/expense statements
•          Payment of temporary personnel at centres according to statements of hours worked
•          Payment of operational expenses of UODL, i.e. purchasing of study materials, courier services, trips to centres, accommodation.

7.    Liaison

•          Academic managers at the UODL ensure effective liaison and operation of ODL between faculties, SALA support services and the UODL
•          Regular conversations with staff about transformation, cultural differences
•          Liaison with collaborators for attendance of graduation ceremonies
•          Liaise with local press regarding coverage of graduation ceremonies
•          Liaise with alumni office for events for ODL student

Minimum requirements

•          PhD with focus on Higher Education

 
MEMBERSHIP

•          ICDE

EXPERIENCE:

•          10 years overall experience in open Distance Learning
•          5 years in management of higher education

 
KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

•          Knowledge of the Higher Education system in South Africa and the pertinent laws, structures and practices
•          Understanding of trends in open distance education and the technology to support learning
•          Strategic decision-making in a transformative environment for positive social outcomes
•          Execute assigned duties in compliance with approved procedures of the University
•          Maintain team cohesion and appropriate stakeholder management

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
 
ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:                    Robert Balfour Tel: 018 285 2106
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:   Yvette Lamprecht
CLOSING DATE:                                                                                                   30 June 2021
PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES:                                                          As soon as possible
 
 
Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website.
Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
 
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
 
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.