Job Description

Job Title
Associate Professor/ Professor and Academic Head of Department Job ID: 6130
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Faculty of Health Sciences -> Office of the Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences
Contract Type
Permanent
Occupational Level
Middle Management
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date
23/5/2025
Description

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter. Copies of qualifications or proof of qualifications obtained (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications). A copy of your identity document (SA ID or passport for foreign nationals). Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if required). A copy of your driver's license (if required). Confirmation of employment from current employer / last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).

Duties and responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership in the Division of Public Health and contribute to a strong academic identity. Provide academic leadership by creating and executing strategies to establish the Division as a leader in the discipline vis-a-vis competing international entities. Perform all necessary administrative and personnel duties associated with a Head of Department. Responsible for directing the academic debate and influencing the overall climate and culture in the Division. Responsible for linking the Division's staff and students with the University's management and administration through communication, negotiation and consultation. Active participation and involvement in Faculty and UFS management structures, attending meetings, leading project teams. Initiate, formulate and implement a visionary academic strategy to develop the Division into the School of Public Health that is aligned with the Faculty, UFS strategic goals and global priorities. Ensure quality teaching and learning activities that are aligned with the Faculty and UFS strategic goals. Teach/facilitate postgraduate modules/workshops in public health and research methodology. Supervise postgraduate research and initiate, conduct and disseminate public health research in conference presentations and accredited journal publications. Contribute to programme development and curriculum review within the Division and Faculty. Build an effective team of scholars and support them towards acquiring international standing. Ensure sound financial management, budgets planning and allocation that adhere to UFS financial policies and procedures. Actively participate and support academic staff members to apply for external research and other grants.

Inherent requirements:

Associate Professor:

PhD in Public Health or an equivalent degree on NQF Level 10. Three (3) years' research management and leadership experience at higher education level. Experience as external examiner for master's and doctoral students. Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers. Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship. Proven experience in the supervision of graduated masters and/or doctoral students. A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals. Serve as a member of a national scholarly society OR a national committee or agency concerned with research or Public Health at higher education or research or government institution levels. Proven experience of curriculum and programme development. Evidence of attracting external research/training grants. Achieved international standing or NRF rating or potential for rating.

Professor:

PhD in Public Health or an equivalent degree on NQF Level 10. Three (3) years' research management and leadership experience at higher education level. Experience as external examiner for masters' and doctoral students. Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a particular area of academic scholarship (e.g. regularly serves as a reviewer for international journals). Demonstrated successful supervision of graduated master's and preferably doctoral students. A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals.
Proven experience in chairing or delivering keynote addresses at national or international scholarly conferences. Serve as a member of an international scholarly society OR an international committee or agency concerned with research or Public Health at higher education or government levels. Proven experience of curriculum and programme development. Evidence of acquiring successful international research/training grants. NRF rating or potential for rating.

Recommendations:

A minimum of five (5) years' research management and leadership experience. A minimum of five (5) years' experience in a higher education environment.

Competencies

Required competencies:

Results orientated:

o The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.

o The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

o Strategic thinking:

o The ability to plan work and to follow plans.

o The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.

o Business acumen:

o The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.

o Proficient in using MS Office.

o Knowledge of HR and financial systems

o Proficiency in other computer programmes (e.g. Referencing software, data management software)

o Leading:

o The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.

o The ability to be cooperative with others, display good-natured attitude, and encourage people to work together.

o Building coalitions:

o The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.

o The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter. Copies of qualifications or proof of qualifications obtained (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications). A copy of your identity document (SA ID or passport for foreign nationals). Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if required). A copy of your driver's license (if required). Confirmation of employment from current employer / last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).

Assumption of duties:

1 August 2025.

Closing date:

23 May 2025.

Salary:

The salary is available on request.


Fringe benefits:

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contac

t 051 401 9810 or email

MofoloNG@ufs.ac.za

or

Recruit@ufs.ac.za

. Additionally, kindly contact

051 401 9848/ 9813/ 9814/ 2979 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:

EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf

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.