Senior Lect (P7)/Assoc Prof (P6) /Prof (P5): Languages & Comm (Permanent) with HOD Duties (3-Years) at Sol Plaatje University

Minimum Requirements 

• A PhD or relevant Doctorate and underpinning qualifications in any one of the following academic disciplines Afrikaans/English Studies/ Court Interpreting/ Creative Writing/isiXhosa/South African Sign Language/Setswana or a cognate discipline.

Senior Lecturer

• At least five (5) years relevant experience, where three 3 years must have been as lecturer in Higher Education
• Demonstrate evidence of continuous research productivity in the form of publications in DHET accredited journals and peer- reviewed conference proceedings, research papers presented at national and/or international conferences; contributions to scholarly books published by reputable publishers, in good standing with DHET and not linked to predatory practices; evidence of external research fund raising, citations (e.g. Scopus H- index); NRF rating is recommended.
• Develop and present a reflective teaching portfolio which covers: approach to teaching; contributions to curriculum development; design of learning materials; innovative pedagogy; student and junior staff mentoring; successful supervision of postgraduate students; formal participation in teaching and learning development courses; student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching; evidence of scholarship of teaching and learning would be beneficial.
• Significant involvement in discipline or departmental official activities and processes which includes active academic participation in workshops/forums in higher education as well as community engagement activities; movement towards recognition in the broader subject/ discipline community; external examining/moderating at under- and postgraduate levels

Associate Professor:

• At least eight (8) years relevant experience
• Demonstrate evidence of continuous research output in the form of Publications in DHET accredited journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings; research papers presented at national and/or international conferences; contribution to scholarly books published by a recognized publishing house; citation record (e.g Scopus h-index); evidence of research leadership in publication/ grant application; NRF rating is strongly recommended; external research funds raised; national and/or international research publications
• Develop and present a reflective teaching portfolio that covers: approach to teaching; leadership contributions to curriculum development, design of learning materials, and innovative pedagogy and/or Scholarship of Teaching and Learning; student and junior staff mentoring; successful supervision of postgraduate students including PhD students; formal participation in teaching and learning development courses; student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching.
• Demonstrate evidence of: significant involvement in discipline, departmental and/or institutional official activities and processes which includes active academic participation in workshops/forums in higher education as well as community engagement activities and CE as a scholarly activity; external examining/moderating of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes

Professor:

• At least ten (10) years relevant experience
• Demonstrate evidence of continuous research output in the form of continual and sustained research outputs in high impact DHET -accredited journals in a mix of local and international journals; scholarly contributions to books published by recognized publishers; evidence of external research funds raised; productive research linkages and networks with leading scholars at national and international level; presentations of research papers as invited or keynote speaker at scholarly local and international conferences; must be NRF rated, have a notable citation track record (evident through an Scopus H-index commensurate to period as active research), research leadership demonstrated through authorship position on publications.
• Develop and present a reflective teaching portfolio that covers: approach to teaching; leadership contributions to curriculum development, design of learning materials and innovative pedagogy; student and staff mentoring; successful supervision of postgraduate students including PhD students; formal participation in teaching and learning development courses; contributions to presenting teaching and learning courses; scholarly contributions to teaching and learning development; student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching;
• Demonstrate evidence of leadership and contribute positively towards the discipline, department, faculty and the institution; active involvement in professional and/or discipline societies; playing an active role in leading of academic citizenship activities in the broader community; acknowledgement and referred to as respected leader in the field by the broader scientific community; frequently evaluate articles for good journals and/or serve on editorial board for such journals; contribute to scientific and organising committees of significant conferences; external examining/moderating at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

Recommendation 

• Involvement in societies/organisations that promote the relevant disciplines in Languages and Communications Studies

Duties and Responsibility 

Teaching and Learning:

• Develop and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
• Utilize innovative and effective teaching methods to engage students and enhance their understanding of modules
• Mentor and advise students in research projects and academic pursuits.

Research:

• Conduct cutting-edge research with a focus on teacher education.
• Publish research findings in reputable peer-reviewed and accredited journals.
• Evidence of securing external funding through grants and collaborations.

Curriculum Development:

• Contribute to the development and enhancement.
• Integrate emerging educational technologies and pedagogical approaches into course materials.

Community Engagement:

• Collaborate with local schools, organizations, and community initiatives.
• Participate in outreach programmes

Professional Development:

• Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, and best practices
• Engage in professional development activities to enhance teaching, research and supervision capabilities.

Academic citizenship:

• Contribute to departmental and university service through committee participation.
• Provide leadership and support in advancing the goals of the department and institution.

Requirement for Head of Department 

• A PhD or relevant Doctorate and underpinning qualifications in any one of the following academic disciplines Afrikaans/English Studies/ Court Interpreting/ Creative Writing/isiXhosa/South African Sign Language/Setswana or a cognate discipline.
• Already a Senior Lecturer with three years leadership experience 

Duties of HOD

• Actively support the Dean of the Faculty in the leadership and management of the academic project
• Ensure the implementation of the SPU vision, mission and values and the implementation of strategies for the Department in the following portfolios:
• Teaching and learning
• Research
• Community engagement
• Quality assurance and risk management
• Student academic development and support
• Manage access, throughput and pass rate strategies for the Department
• Academic and professional leadership
• Facilitate, manage and maintain sound internal relations regarding staff and students, as well as their development
• Embed an institutional and performance culture that supports the implementation of the SPU mission, vision, values and strategic priorities
• Drive the induction of all new and current staff in the Department on:
• SPU vision, mission, values and strategic priorities
• Strategic priorities of the Faculty and the Department
• Oversee curriculum development and new programme development in the Department
• Ensure regular reviews of academic programmes within the Department
• Track the latest national and international teaching and learning developments
• Lead and manage the promotion, and recognition of quality teaching and learning approaches in the Department
• Ensure access to student academic development and support, etc.
• Increase percentage of academic staff rated as research active
• Increase number of postgraduate students within the Department
• Lead in producing high-value linkages and partnerships with other institutions, organisations and communities
• Support the integration of community engagement in the teaching and learning, research and service delivery activities of the faculty.
• Further develop existing and build new multi-stakeholder partnerships with communities, civil society, government and business.
• Promoting innovation in the academic, operations and general administration of the Department
• Further develop and implement the quality assurance system to meet both internally set standards and the requirements of relevant external bodies
• Oversee the identification and avoidance of all risk elements in the department’s activities
• Implement plans for identified risks
• Ensure compliance with SHE policies and procedures
• Participate in policy development and implementation in the Faculty.
• Oversee the implementation of policies and procedures applicable to the academic project, i.e. teaching and learning, community engagement, research, SHE and academic administration functions
• Participate in the Faculty and/or university-wide governance and management structures
• Oversee the proper functioning of departmental administrative and operational processes
• Chair and participate in departmental/faculty committees
• Lead, manage and develop direct reports
• Review structures for its appropriateness to assist the Department in achieving its strategic priorities
• Provide oversight in the recruitment and selection process for direct reports
• Support the achievement of equity targets and the transformation of the institutional culture
• Oversee the induction and probation of all new staff
• Drive performance contracts and regular reviews for all staff
• Ensure the training of all staff on performance management process and system
• Implement performance contracts for all staff and ensure regular reviews
• Drive and promote sound employment relations
• Human resource administration
• Manage staff leave as per SPU policy
• Sign off relevant documentation needed