Lecturer/Researcher: Academic Literacy Coordinator (in English, Applied Linguistics, Education or a Related Discipline) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities: 

Teaching and Learning

• Teach an academic literacy module on the QQ campus (including online and/or blended learning format).
• Design appropriate formative and summative assessments within the Academic Literacy Programme/module.
• Mark assessments and provide feedback to students. 
• Design learning and teaching materials for use by facilitators within the Academic Literacy Programme.
• Ensure the continuous curriculum development of the academic literacy module.
• Use various communication platforms to communicate with students and facilitators.
• Manage the implementation and student support of the M-Reader and iCAN extensive reading programmes for own cohort.
• Present academic writing workshops and consultations for students and consultation sessions in the writing centre (online and /or face-to-face).
• Coordinate and ensure quality within the Academic Literacy Programme through facilitator evaluation and moderation, as well as student module evaluation.

Research

• Conduct research into students’ academic literacy needs based on the Qwaqwa campus context.
• Research and analyse global trends in the field of academic literacies as they relate to key strategic imperatives.
• Produce 1 (one) research output per year in the form of a conference paper and/or article publication
• Create and nurture a culture of inquiry, research and evidence-based practice within the ALLD

Leadership and Administration

• Coordinate academic literacy modules (including online and/or blended learning format).
• Coordinate day-to-day administrative activities/operations of the Academic Literacy course.
• Providing strategic advice to the ALLD head and CTL QQ head to help enhance the programme.
• Monitor student performance in literacy modules and intervene as needed in collaboration with ALLD staff.
• Oversee all administration related to the academic literacy modules, including (but not limited to) class attendance and student marks.
• Coordinate and manage academic facilitators within the Academic Literacy Programme (including meetings, performance management etc.)
• Manage class allocations and student groups (on a continuous basis).
• Co-plan, coordinate and compile facilitator training content, material and guidelines with the ALLD QQ head or Bfn coordinators.
• Organise and present training to assist facilitators in the academic literacy module on a continuous basis.
• Ensure the development and identify support needed by facilitators and provide guidance and mentorship to facilitators.
• Monitor the quality of appointments in academic literacy modules and intervene where necessary.
• Establish and maintain effective interaction between faculties and the ALLD QQ.
• Collaborate with faculty staff on a continuous basis to ensure alignment between the needs of the relevant faculties and the academic literacy modules.
• Collaborate with faculty staff on a continuous basis to help orientate academic staff to their students’ academic literacies needs and how they can help their students develop disciplinary academic literacies through their disciplinary content.
• Assist with the development of mentorship initiatives in the ALLD.
• Provide leadership regarding structural/curriculum/assessment renewal on the relevant academic literacy course on a continuous basis.

Engaged Scholarship

• Use academic, scholarly and/or professional expertise in the field of academic literacy to engage with external and non-academic constituencies to generate new knowledge integration, to apply
• Knowledge to other contexts or to disseminate knowledge.
• Regularly participate in events hosted and organised by communities within and outside the UFS.
• Demonstrate commitment to addressing students’ broader learning and teaching needs and interests.
• Actively engage as a member of a professional body linked to the work of the ALLD.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• A PhD in English, Applied Linguistics, Education or a related discipline on NQF Level 10 (for a permanent appointment)

OR

• A Master’s degree in English, Applied Linguistics, Education or a related discipline on NQF Level 9 (contract appointment: five years during which a PhD in English, Applied Linguistics, Education or a related discipline on NQF Level 10 MUST be obtained to be converted to a permanent position).
• Proven experience in the delivery of poster or oral presentations at conferences or equivalent activities.
• Proven evidence of manuscripts produced that have the potential to be converted or submitted for publication in accredited journals.
• A good academic record (attach).
• A minimum of three years’ experience in the field of academic literacy OR English language in the higher education sector.

Recommendations:

• Proven coordination of teaching and learning activities in Higher Education
• Proven experience in curriculum design, materials writing and assessment of student learning
• Experience in consulting in a university writing centre. 
• Experience in desktop and field research.
• Qualification in TEFL, TESOL or related course.
• Experience in the use of Learning Management Systems e.g. Blackboard / Moodle / Sakai / Canvas.
• Willing to enroll for a relevant PhD degree at the first available opportunity, if not already attained by the time of the appointment.