Programme Director (Contract appointment: 5 years, with the possibility of serving a second term): Department of Urban and Regional Planning (Job ID 5212) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities

In consultation with the Academic Head of Department (AHD); undertake the following:

• Co-ordinate activities of the Learning Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning to ensure they are undertaken in accordance with the policy and regulatory frameworks of the University.
• Assume responsibility for the academic quality of the Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning and co-ordinate changes in the rulebook, prospectuses, and other approved material.
• Provide general academic leadership in the Learning Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning and co-ordinate alignment and academic coherence across all various modules of the Learning programmes for Urban and Regional Planning.
• Manage the curriculum processes of the Learning Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning.
• Develop new curricular and/or revise existing curricular for Learning Programmes, when required, in consultation with stakeholders inside and outside the Department.
• Benchmark, develop and manage Learning Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning on a regular and continuous basis.
• Manage the obtaining and maintenance of professional programme accreditation of Learning programmes for Urban and Regional Planning including co-ordination of site visits of accrediting bodies, external examiners and external reviewers as well as the compilation of related documentation, reports and plans thereof.
• Co-ordinate the development and monitoring of operational and quality enhancement implementation plans of the Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning.
• Motivate and lead staff in the Learning Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning to achieve transformation in Teaching and Learning matters within the Programmes.
• Manage regular review and evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of Learning Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning for improvement via means such as user surveys, reviews and impact studies.
• Co-ordinate the use of technology and innovative platforms in the Learning Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning (such as Blackboard).
• Manage matters relating to the administration of teaching, learning and students in the Learning Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning effectively (such as co-ordination of class, contact session, test and exam timetables, contact sessions for compact learning, student orientation and department days related activities).
• Monitor progress and data on student retention and through put rates in the Learning Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning.
• Provide academic advice in terms of academic inquiries, amendments of yearbooks, schedules, timetables, applications, selection, admission, registration etc. related to the Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning.
• Co-ordinate the promotion of Programmes for Urban and Regional Planning through involvement in marketing and advertising activities of the Department and the Faculty as necessary (including road shows and open days), serve on or liaise with the marketing committee of the Faculty as necessary, co-ordinate the compilation of marketing plans/strategies, pamphlets or other suitable marketing material and oversee the administration of the department website.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• Master’s degree on NQF level 9 in Construction Management/Property Science/Quantity Surveying or a related Built Environment field.
• A full-time, permanent member of the academic staff of the Department: Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Recommendations:

• PhD in Urban and Regional Planning or a related Built Environment field.
• Experience in academic administration.

Competencies
Key Competencies:

Results oriented.

• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations. 
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic thinking.

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to plan work and to follow plans.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading.

• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others. 

Building coalitions.

• The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Closing Date
12/5/2023