Job Description

PurposeResponsible for teaching and learning, research and community engagement and to provide support to the department/Faculty in pursuit of its academic objectives. Responsibilities may also include curriculum development, student academic development, administration, quality assurance, academic management and the development of research capacity within the department/school in order to contribute to the academic initiatives undertaken by the department/faculty.Minimum Requirement

• A relevant PhD/Doctorate and underpinning qualifications in a relevant field of study.

Associate Professor

• At least 8 years of relevant experience.
• Proven track record of supervising postgraduate students at Masters and Doctoral level.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements.
• Excellent computer skills.
• 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; external research funds raised; national and/or international research publications. NRF rating is strongly recommended.
• Demonstrate evidence of: significant involvement in the 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.
• Experience in 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.

Professor

• Ten years relevant experience.
• Strategic planning and implementation experience.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements.
• 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.
• Experience in 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.

Duties and responsibilities

• Compile work schemes in collaboration with colleagues.
• Research and utilize new and emerging approaches and technology in teaching.
• The professional preparation of teaching media.
• The professional preparation of notes to supplement or substitute prescribed textbooks.
• Research and selection of suitable reference material to supplement textbooks.
• The facilitation of an effective teaching situation in which the learning experience can take place successfully.
• The upgrading of course content/ development of new courses and/or modules in order to keep up with the latest requirements of the discipline.
• Student and peer evaluations of teaching performance.
• Apply appropriate assessment methods.
• External examining and invitations to teach externally.
• Act as a study leader.
• Conduct appropriate research.
• Publish research results.
• Keep abreast of professional literature.
• Obtain research grants.
• Contribute to community engagement initiatives.
• Integrate community engagement interventions into curriculum.
• Report on own involvement in professional, industry and/or community activities.
• Contribute to curriculum development.
• Participate in curriculum review and the development of new courses/modules to ensure alignment with sector/discipline norms and requirements.
• Review assessment methods for self and others.
• Revise and submit programmes for accreditation by relevant accreditation bodies.
• Identify students at risk timeously.
• Develop intervention strategies for students/modules at risk.
• Provide academic counselling to students.
• Monitor student progress.
• Make necessary referrals for students, where needed.
• Keep attendance registers.
• Record student results.
• Assist with the registration of students.
• Supervise tests and examinations.
• Implement policies and procedures applicable to the teaching and learning, community engagement, research, OHSE and academic administration functions.
• Participate and chair departmental/faculty/institution committees.
• Contribute to quality assurance (QA) through committee meetings and submission of relevant documents.
• Identify QA feedback mechanisms within the Faculty/department.
• Monitor the impact of QA recommendations within the faculty/department.
• Implement appropriate interventions emanating from the above recommendations.
• Contribute to policy making.
• Set annual objectives pertaining to academic programmes.
• Participate in the review of teaching, research, community engagement and academic administration objectives.
• Contribute to the development of academic related decision-making.
• Act as programme leader, mentor and coach.
• Management of tutor activities.
• Keep abreast of developments within own field of study and its implications for teaching and learning, community engagement, research, etc.
• Keep abreast of developments in professional conduct at SPU.
• Engage in professional development activities.
• Prepare development plan for promotion to the next level, within stipulated time frame.
• Ongoing development required by professional body.
• Attend conferences, seminars and workshops.
• Present research study papers at conferences.
• Develop relevant reports as and when required.
• Communicate and consult with relevant stakeholders.

Enquiries can be made via email atAssumption of duties: As mutually agreed to upon acceptance of the appointment. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. This position may be subject to assessments.Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.Note: Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is dedicated to meeting its Employment Equity targets.

Sol Plaatje University