Job Description

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DEPUTY DEAN: CLINICAL MEDICINE (PEROMNES GRADE 4), FIVE (5) YEAR APPOINTMENT, MEDICAL SCHOOL CAMPUS.
Job description
The College of Health Sciences at UKZN seeks to appoint a senior academic leader to serve as Deputy Dean: Clinical Medicine in the School of Medicine. The role provides strategic and operational leadership for all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including curriculum oversight, quality assurance, accreditation, student admissions and progression, regulatory compliance, and financial management. A major focus is driving innovation, transformation, and alignment with institutional and national priorities.
The Deputy Dean will work closely with the Dean and Head of School to strengthen engagement with internal and external stakeholders, support research in education, enhance teaching and learning systems, and ensure the effective administration and assessment of academic processes. The role also includes serving as the Dean's designate for academic affairs and acting as Dean and Head of School when required.
We seek a strategic, collaborative, and experienced academic leader with strong administrative skills, excellent communication, and a deep understanding of health sciences education. The ideal candidate will be able to manage complex environments, build partnerships, lead curriculum change, and inspire teams while advancing the School of Medicine's teaching, research, and transformation objectives.
The term of office for this position is five (5) year fractional appointment with the possibility of renewal based on performance. For applicants who are permanent staff members of UKZN, the successful applicant will revert to his/her substantive academic position at the end of this term of office.
Minimum requirements

• PhD or Medical Doctorate degree in a related field
• Must be part of the Clinical Medicine Cluster
• 8 years of relevant work experience, of which 5 years must be at a management level
• Demonstrated experience in graduating postgraduate students (up to PhD level)
• A proven track record and experience in curriculum matters and quality assurance
• Demonstrated experience in advancing diversity, transformation and equity
• Experience in working in a multi-disciplinary environment
• A proven history of strengthening and developing systems and strategies in the higher education environment

Essential Skills

• Proven, values-driven leader with strong academic leadership and the ability to inspire and motivate others
• Exceptional communicator with excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and decision-making skills
• Strategic, adaptable, and resilient, able to manage complex stakeholders and work effectively under pressure
• Highly collaborative, culturally sensitive, and skilled at building partnerships and managing workloads with professionalism and enthusiasm

The job profile, which contains advantages, leadership credentials and personal attributes for appointment can be obtained from Mrs Shabalala on e-mail:
The closing date for receipt of applications is 13 February 2026.
Applicants are required to complete the relevant application form (application form - academic) which is available on the Vacancies website at
To apply, click on the link:
Kindly note that the University of KwaZulu-Natal ("the University") is required to process any Personal Information (as defined by the Protection of Personal Act, 2013 "POPIA") submitted by candidates when applying for positions at the University. The provision of the Personal Information is a requirement in terms of the University's recruitment and selection process. The retention of any personal information is as a consequence of the University being bound by legislative requirements and / or good governance practices as well as record keeping for statistical purposes. The University will endeavour to ensure that the appropriate security measures are in place and implemented for both electronic and paper-based formats that are used for processing of the personal information recorded through this recruitment and selection process
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is committed to meeting the objectives of Employment Equity to improve representivity within the Institution. Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups in accordance with our Employment Equity Plan. * Please do not send us copies of your degree and other certificates. We will request certified copies if you are short listed for interview.

• Please read the advertisement carefully. We do not consider applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements.
• The University is committed to Employment Equity.
• The University reserves the right not to fill a vacancy.
• Should you not hear from us within six weeks of the closing date, please assume you are unsuccessful
• Please familiarise yourself with the University's Section 18 Notice regarding the processing of your Personal Information.

Skills Required