Teaching and Learning Specialist: Continuing Education at University of the Western Cape/Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

The Teaching and Learning Specialist: Continuing Education (CE) will promote and support the University’s mission that identifies CE as a strategic priority in the UWC Institutional Operational Plan (IOP 2021 – 2025) to offer high-quality, demand-driven and socially responsive learning and teaching opportunities in a coherent and financially sustainable manner. CE programmes and courses are pursued for various purposes by individuals, communities, workplaces, and industry. These include to gain access for formal university study, professional development, enhanced entrepreneurial opportunities for economic growth, acquire knowledge and skills to address workplace needs, personal development, and cultural and sporting interests.

While there is a need to generate sustainable third-stream income through the offering of profitable CE courses, all CE programmes and courses will operate on core academic principles that will guide the design, development, delivery, and quality assurance of CE provision. The Teaching and Learning Specialist will therefore be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the CE policy and related processes with regard to CE at UWC. 

The Teaching and Learning Specialist will provide professional support in preparation for the registration of Continuing Education courses and will act as facilitator between the faculties, SAP Sub-Committee for Continuing Education, and Pillar Seven. 

The incumbent should assist with the marketing of Continuing Education by engaging and partnering with public and private sectors to assess the challenges and needs of the fast-changing world of work where ongoing retraining and upskilling are regularly required.

Reporting to the DVC: Academic the incumbent will:

• Provide specialised advice and guidance by assisting faculties, departments, and executive units with the development, registration, and quality assurance of their CE courses to ensure all courses are based on sound scholarship and comply with the rules and regulations of the UWC and the CHE
• Responsible for monitoring the implementation of the CE policy 
• Facilitate the 3-year CE cycle review of CE courses in collaboration with the Academic Planning Unit 
• Disseminate research findings annually through internal reports as well as journal publications and conference presentations 
• Undertake institutional research related to CE courses, to support decision-making towards continuous improvement
• Assist with marketing and recruitment strategies
• Ensure that the website is updated regularly
• Network with local and national institutional Continuing Education forums
• Be prepared to serve on national task teams when approached
• Provide regular reports to the DVC Academic and the Pillar Seven Director
• Assess the current continuing professional development (CPD) offerings across the professional department

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in relevant field (at Lecturer rank)
• PhD in relevant field (at Senior Lecturer rank)
• Experience in the Continuing Education landscape in Higher Education
• Advanced research, analytical, critical thinking, and report writing skills

Knowledge, skills and abilities required:

• Understand the landscape of the CE in the higher education sector
• Have a key understanding of curriculum development 
• Have experience and/or a sound understanding of the SETA landscape and its relationship with Higher Education
• Be familiar with the various institutional policies in relation to learning and teaching as well as policies and Acts of the Higher Education Regulatory Bodies
• Keep abreast of global trends in the quality management of Continuing Education
• Excellent planning and organising skills, with the ability to monitor and review; 
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to encourage innovative thinking with regard to CE