Head of School (School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences) at University of the Witwatersrand

The School of Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences is a large research and teaching unit focusing on a diversity of topics in the Life Sciences, including Ecology, Conservation, Plant Sciences and Zoology. The leadership of this vibrant School, with its diverse young staff, offers the incumbent an opportunity to drive forward a new vision for Biology in South Africa. This vision should include innovations in teaching and research across a wide range of topics to meet the needs of a changing world. The Head of School will be expected to provide academic vision and leadership, as well as managerial coordination of the various units and programmes required to maintain and build the school’s position of academic excellence in research, teaching, and community engagement. The HoS must have academic and/or professional standing to foster the respect and confidence of the members of the school and possess high-level leadership skills to enact a shared strategic vision for the school. Teaching courses at an appropriate level during the term of office is required, and the Head must continue with research activities and postgraduate student supervision.

The Head of School reports to the Dean of Science and must be at the Associate Professor level or above. The Head is responsible for the administration of the school. This includes coordinating academic activities in teaching, research, postgraduate training, and human resource activities in recruitment and management, and financial and infrastructure resource management. The successful candidate will be appointed as Head of School for a fixed term of five years (with the possibility of a second term) and will be eligible for a position in the school at the appropriate academic rank, as a member of the academic staff, after the period served as Head. The Head of School is a member of the Faculty Executive, chaired by the Dean of Science, and contributes to the overall strategic and operational management of the Faculty of Science. The Head should be visible and active in the affairs of the Faculty and the University.

Brief Description        
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• A PhD in an appropriate field that is relevant to the school, and an accomplished research record with postgraduate training and teaching experience, together with administration experience preferably within a university environment.