Jobs at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The incumbent will be required to: 

Oversee and manage academic planning and quality assurance and enhancement activities. This will include: 

• Leading the Academic Planning and Quality Division in the Department of Institutional Planning 
• Management of external evaluation at all organisational levels, including academic reviews, accreditations and review of professional services 
• Develop and maintain appropriate quality promotion activities 
• Monitor and support the implementation of quality improvement plans 
• Management of academic planning and the University's Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) 
• Oversee the submission of proposals for new academic programmes to external bodies 
• Ensuring alignment with national and institutional policies and changes in the world of work 
• Co-ordinate the activities of the Academic Planning Committee 
• Ensuring the development and management of systems, databases and processes to support all aspects of academic programme development, management, and review 
• Create and maintain a suitable integrated Quality Management System into which the Quality Manual of the University is incorporated 
• Monitor changes to the national regulatory framework for Quality Assurance and Academic Planning, and more general developments in the Higher Education Sector 
• Liaise and network with faculties and support departments at the University of Pretoria; 
• Build active strategic partnerships with other functions within the University; 
• Liaise with the Department of Higher Education and Training, Council on Higher Education, South African Qualifications Authority and other relevant professional bodies; 
• Provide leadership and guidance to senior managers across the University on matters related to academic planning and quality; 
• Lead and manage the academic planning and quality team within the Department of Institutional Planning. 
• Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders (e.g. DHET, CHE, SAQA, Professional bodies and other higher education institutions) to facilitate a collaborative approach to academic planning and quality assurance.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

• A relevant four (4) year/Honours Degree; 
• 8 years’ experience in the field, of which three should be in management level;  

Proven experience in/and knowledge of: 

• Higher education policy matters 
• Facilitation of academic planning in a higher education environment 
• Management and execution of quality-related projects, including institutional audits, programme accreditation and external reviews; 
• Experience in writing plans and reports. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES): 

• Knowledge of higher education policies related to teaching and learning, academic planning and quality assurance; 
• Knowledge of the functioning of a University; 
• Mastery of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework; 
• Knowledge of key developments in the higher education environment; 
• HEMIS reporting system; 
• Report writing; 
• Data analysis and interpretation; 
• Strong leadership skills and decisiveness; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; 
• Sensitivity to diversity; 
• Ability to work in a team. 

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES: 

• Relevant Master’s Degree; 
• Relevant managerial experience in the higher education sector; 
• Lecturing experience. 

CLOSING DATE: 23 FEBRUARY 2026

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RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The incumbent will join a world class team of researchers working in the field of plant health and productivity in the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), and associated with the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. S/he will be a Plant and Fungal Virologist who will undertake goal directed research and supervise postgraduate students in these fields. The incumbent will also contribute to undergraduate teaching in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. S/he will be a member of the FABI Management Committee, participate in the activities of other plant molecular biotechnology related research teams in FABI and contribute to the effective operation of the Institute. S/he will be required to engage with a broad range of stakeholders linked to the Institute, including international collaborators, local government and industry (including extension), as well as funding organisations that provide external support for FABI’s research.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• An applicable PhD-degree, and teaching and research experience with a publication record in leading international journals that demonstrates the potential to perform research to the highest international standards;
• Specialisation in Plant Virology, Mycoviruses or related fields with applications relevant to agriculture and forestry;
• A current NRF-rating or evidence of the ability to gain a reasonable rating in the near future.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to teach classes effectively;
• The ability to inspire students and a commitment to work in a strong multidisciplinary research team addressing grand challenges in agriculture and forestry.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• A research focus on plant protection or plant productivity in the context of plant and fungal virology;
• Experience in working with emerging technologies in the fields of plant molecular genetics and virology;
• Experience in engaging a broad range of academic and non-academic stakeholders, and fundraising.

CLOSING DATE: 24 February 2026