Head Of School at University of the Witwatersrand

Brief Description        

• The Faculty of Health Sciences is looking for a qualified candidate to serve as Head of the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• This school is integral to training health science students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the faculty.
• This leadership role offers an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and energetic individual to lead the school into a new era of excellence, impact, and focus on teaching and research.
• As Head of the School of Clinical Medicine, you will have the chance to shape the future of healthcare education and research, collaborating with a dynamic team to enhance the school's relevance and effectiveness in the field.
• The candidate must have a strong background in clinical medicine and experience in academic leadership, research, and administration is required.

Responsibilities:

• The Head of School provides strategic direction, vision, and leadership for the academic unit.
• They are responsible for overseeing all academic activities, including teaching and research at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• He/She manages administrative matters within the school, including human resources, financial management, and general administration.
• They oversee budget allocation, resource utilization, and efficient operations in coordination with relevant departments and stakeholders. 
• There is a responsibility to build and maintain productive relationships with external stakeholders, such as the Gauteng Department of Health (GDOH), academic hospital training facilities, and other relevant organisations.
• The Head will encourage and support research and scholarship initiatives within the school, promote scientific publication and collaboration, and advocate for research funding and resources.
• They will support faculty members’ professional development, mentoring, and career progression, ensuring a positive work environment that promotes faculty wellbeing.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• A specialist medical degree in an appropriate discipline and at least 10 years of experience in university administration at a senior level are essential requirements, and a PhD or strong research background and scientific publication record.
• The person should currently hold the position of Professor/Associate Professor.
• The applicant must have excellent leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills and should have attained sufficient academic and professional standing to command the respect of the members of the school.  
• The successful candidate will be appointed as Head for a fixed term of 5 years, which is renewable for another 5-year period subject to the applicable policy of the Faculty of Health Sciences.  
• Should the appointee be from outside the University, the appointee will be transferred to a continuous academic post at an appropriate level within the appropriate discipline, at the end of the successful term/s of office.