Academic Head Of Department (contract Appointment: 5 Years, With A Possibility Of Reappointment For A Further Term Based On Performance)

Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

Job Description


PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY FULL-TIME PERMANENT ACADEMIC PERSONNEL FROM THE DEPARTMENT ECONOMICS AND FINANCE WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Provide academic leadership by creating and executing strategies to establish the department as a leader in the discipline vis-xc3xa0-vis competing international entities.
  • The Academic Head is directly responsible for:
o directing the academic debate in the department;
o influencing the department's overall climate and culture;
o energising everybody in the department and beyond; and
o shaping the future of the department.
  • Contribute to the overall leadership in the faculty.
  • Responsible for frequent and continuous planning and execution of plans, general organising and coordinating of staff, students and activities, mentoring and motivating staff, structuring, and exercising overall control.
  • Create an atmosphere of consensus among staff.
  • Responsible for effective internal and external communication.
  • The Academic Head is pivotal in linking the department's staff and students with the University's management and administration through communication, negotiation and consultation.
  • Active participation and involvement in faculty management structures, attending meetings, leading project teams, representing the department and faculty, and fulfilling the roles of liaison officer and marketer, when necessary.
  • Active participation and involvement in applicable UFS management structures, e.g. Senate.
  • Initiate, formulate and implement a visionary academic strategy for the department that is aligned with and supportive of the guiding strategic documents of the UFS and faculty.
  • Ensure -
o the provision of top-quality, research-informed facilitation of learning at all levels of teaching in the department;
o relevance of content, material and presentation in all modules;
o the enhancement of student experiences and their continuous engagement in academic debates;
o that adequate rules and regulations are in place to optimally deliver high-quality teaching and learning programmes on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels;
o adherence to all the rules and regulations of the UFS, faculty and department;
o quality and timely feedback on student work;
o proper and quality-driven academic advice and support to all under- and postgraduate students in the department; and
o the revisiting and development of fresh learning programmes that will help to position the department as a leader in the fraternity.
  • Create and maintain a(n) -
o visionary research strategy for the department; and
o environment that encourages research, leading to strong and active research habits and a culture of inquiry.
  • Ensure that -
o every academic staff member is engaged in quality-driven and discipline-specific research;
o postgraduate students are recruited to broaden the research base of the department; and
o ethical requirements are met.
  • Guide and support senior academics towards acquiring NRF ratings.
  • Engage actively with the faculty research committee and the UFS Directorate of Research Development in order to ensure sustainable financial support for departmental research initiatives.
  • Build an effective team of scholars through:
o planning and implementing a fair and reasonable dispensation regarding the workload of staff members in the department;
o planning and implementing a clear and reasonable career path for every staff member in the department, taking account of the strategic plans of the University, faculty and department;
o appropriate mentoring interventions where and whenever it is needed;
o managing staff performance in accordance with existing university policies and procedures;
o recruitment and selection of scholars in the case of vacancies and/or specific strategic needs, whenever strategic repositioning requires expansion of academic endeavours;
o creating and maintaining a scholarship-friendly environment in the department; and
o planning and overseeing effective and relevant staff development.
  • Responsible for the ultimate responsibility in terms of financial management which culminates in:
o annual budgeting;
o financial planning;
o allocation of funds; and
o financial control.
o Adherence to the UFS's financial policies and procedures.
  • Encourage and actively support academic staff members to apply for external research and other grants.
Inherent requirements:
  • A relevant PhD on NQF Level 10.
  • Any full-time, permanent member of the academic staff of the Department Economics and Finance at the University of the Free State (UFS).
Competencies

Required 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 plan work and to follow plans.
- The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.
  • Leading.
- The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
  • Building coalitions
- The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.
- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application.
  • A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter.
  • Copies of qualifications (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications).
  • A copy of your identity document (ID or passport in the case of foreign nationals).
  • Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if applicable).
  • A copy of your driver's license (if applicable).
  • Confirmation of employment from current employer / last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).
Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible or 01 January 2024

Closing date:
27 September 2023

Allowance:
The Academic Head of Department allowance is payable which is calculated according to a transparent formula approved by the relevant decision-making structures of the UFS. The value of the allowance is available on request.

Enquiries:
For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 9814 or email or . Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979 / 9810 / 9813 for assistance.

General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities.

Our Employment Equity Policy is available at : https://ufsacza.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/sites/supportservices/hr/Employment Equity/EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf?csf=1&web=1&e=TjtoXH

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.

Additional Information

University of the Free State

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Job Detail

  • Job Id
    JD1263115
  • Industry
    Not mentioned
  • Total Positions
    1
  • Job Type:
    Full Time
  • Salary:
    Not mentioned
  • Employment Status
    Permanent
  • Job Location
    Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
  • Education
    Not mentioned