Lecturer at University of Cape Town

Job description

As part of the new Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) sponsored by the Department of Higher Education and Training in terms of the Staffing South Africa’s Universities Framework (SSAUF), the Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice at the University of Cape Town seeks to attract black South African applicants for one full-time position as Lecturer.

The Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice (GSDPP) provides professional and academic training for senior public officials and those engaged in public policy in South Africa and other African countries. The School promotes the development of strategic public leadership, including a strong emphasis on accountability and trust in governance. For more information on the School see www.gsdpp.uct.ac.za

The South African university system is currently experiencing severe challenges in relation to the size, composition and capacity of its academic staff. The Staffing South Africa’s Universities Framework (SSAUF) is a national and sector response towards addressing these challenges. The SSAUF takes as its starting point the urgent imperative to recruit, support and retain black academic staff to address the serious under-representation at all levels in the sector. For more information see http://www.dhet.gov.za/ssauf/ngap.html

The most important features of the nGAP programme are that: 1) the successful applicant will be appointed into a permanent post and so be firmly factored into the long-term staffing plans of the department right from the outset; and 2) the appointment will be governed by contracts that clearly spell out the expectations, obligations, roles and responsibilities of the university and of the newly appointed academic; 3) the successful applicant will study for a doctorate, or undertake post-doctoral work with substantially reduced teaching responsibilities, while studying; and 4) be provided mentoring in order to nurture his/her academic career. The nGAP covers a six-year period, covering a 3-year development programme, plus 3 years’ induction thereafter.

The nGAP period of appointment is structured as follows in order to allow the appointee to complete a PhD or publish doctoral research material and to acquire research and teaching skills:

In the first year of employment the work load is up to 20% and for the next two years the workload is at 20%

in the fourth year of employment the workload is at 50% and for the fifth and sixth years of the programme the workload is at 100% followed by

continuing permanent employment at the appointing institution thereafter.

The appointment is to be taken up as soon as practically possible, with allowance made for time required for relocation if required.

The post will centrally involve teaching and research in the broad field of the policies and practice of development in Africa, with a practical and strategic orientation.

We expect candidates will be able ultimately to:

• supervise research at the postgraduate level
• lead research projects and maintain a record of scholarly publication
• participate and support the school in proposal development and fund raising activities for the academic programmes from time to time
• teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and
• contribute to strategic leadership and/or administration and/ or decision making roles as appropriate.

The School offers:

• a world-class teaching environment
• Ongoing opportunities to engage senior practitioners on the challenges of development policymaking and implementation
• reduced teaching loads, mentoring and an institutional climate which supports research activities
• access to research funds
• opportunities for global academic collaboration.

Requirements for the position are:

• a Masters’ Degree political studies or another social science with a focus on the political economy of development
• to be registered or have completed PhD in a relevant field
• a commitment to develop your teaching and research ability
• previous teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level is preferred
• a strong interest in conducting research on the complexities of making and implementing development policy
• a record of demonstrated research scholarship would be an advantage
• and a record of relevant experience in the public sector or related activities would be highly advantageous.

UCT offers competitive remuneration. The 2017 Standard Academic Salary Package (SASP) Cost of Employment (COE) per annum for permanent academic staff at the rank of Lecturer, including benefits is R592 451