Job Description

Job Title
Director (5-year contract with the possibility of reappointment for a further term) (Job ID 6176)
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry
Contract Type
Contract
Occupational Level
Middle Management
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date
3/7/2025
Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PERMANENT ACADEMIC STAFF WITHIN THE FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.

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.

The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

A detailed Curriculum Vitae. Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation). A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).

Duties and responsibilities:

Leadership

Provide academic leadership and development by creating and executing strategies to establish the CMBG as a Centre of Excellence. Develop an overall operational strategy for the CMBG in consultation with the Dean. Develop an overall research strategy for the CMBG in consultation with the Dean. Give academic leadership and direct the CMBG's scholarship, teaching, and standards. Take leadership of programme accreditation and ensure national and international accreditation maintenance. Promote intellectual vigour and rigor in the disciplines of the CMBG. Provide research leadership in the CMBG. Influence the CMBG's overall climate and culture and grow the department into a well-functioning research unit. Contribute to faculty leadership by representing the interests of the CMBG at the faculty board, Senate, and other University structures. Provide leadership in the marketing of the CMBG's programmes and assist in establishing collaborations with external parties.

General Management

Develop various plans and execute them continuously, including Equity Plans. Monitor that areas of improvement identified are affected. Organise and co-ordinate staff, students, and activities. Mentor, develop and motivate staff. Structure and exercise overall control in the CMBG. Create an atmosphere of consensus among staff. Communicate effectively internally and externally. Participate in faculty management structures. Lead and attend meetings. Lead project teams. Drive academic planning and development. Initiate, formulate and implement a visionary academic strategy for the CMBG that is aligned with and supportive of the guiding strategic documents of the UFS and faculty. Manage facilities, equipment, and other assets of the CMBG. Develop and manage CMBG's risk register. Plan, manage and/or make recommendations regarding staff leave applications.

Teaching, Learning and Students

Ensure the provision of top-quality, research-informed facilitation of learning at all levels of teaching in the CMBG. Ensure the enhancement of student experiences and their continuous engagement in academic debates. Ensure that adequate rules and regulations are in place and adhered to optimally deliver high quality teaching and learning programmes on postgraduate levels. Ensure quality and timely feedback on student work is provided. Ensure proper and quality-driven academic advice and support to all students in the CMBG. Manage the teaching and assessment quality enhancement processes in the CMBG. Ensure that programme accreditation minimum criteria are maintained or exceeded. Manage curricula development and reviews and ensure the relevance of content, material and presentation in all modules to help position the CMBG as a leader in the fraternity. Oversee the development of new programmes or offerings to remain relevant. Ensure nominations of examiners and moderators are made. Consult with staff and students at regular intervals. Teach and supervise research students up to NQF Level 10.

Research management

Develop and maintain a visionary research strategy for the CMBG. Create an environment that encourages research, leading to strong and active research practices and outputs. Ensure that every academic staff member is engaged in quality-driven, discipline-specific and scholarly research. Attract postgraduate students to broaden the research base of the CMBG. Ensure ethical research requirements are met. Support and assist emerging researchers. Guide and support senior academics towards acquiring NRF ratings.

Human resources management

Build effective teams in the CMBG. Plan and implement a fair and reasonable workload of staff members in the CMBG. Monitor the progress of staff probation and manage staff performance as well as appraisals in accordance with existing university policies and procedures. Recruit and select staff for vacancies and/or specific strategic needs. Create and maintain a scholarship-friendly environment in the CMBG. Plan, drive and oversee effective and relevant staff development. Attend to and/or delegate routine academic and administrative matters. Manage academic and support staff in accordance with UFS HR rules and policies. Ensure a good flow of information to staff.

Financial and physical resources management:

Take ultimate responsibility for financial management, including annual budgeting, financial planning, allocation of funds and financial control. Adhere to the UFS's financial policies and procedures. Encourage and support academic staff members to apply for external research funding and other grants.

Inherent requirements:

A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Natural Sciences. Any member of the academic staff in the faculty who is appointed at Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor/Professor level. Proven experience in academic leadership as either an Academic Head of Department, Subject Head and/or Programme Director.

Recommendations:

Demonstrated leadership in the management of a research centre or academic program in mineral based environmental systems. Strong conceptual grasp of national science policy and environmental innovation pathways. Collaborative networks that are well-established in the fields of environmental geochemistry, land and soil restoration, or Earth systems science. Proven track record of procuring and managing multi-partner research grants that exceed R2 million. Experience with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), BIOGRIP, or an equivalent high-impact science infrastructure. Ability to shape a Centre's research identity and grow its national and international visibility. Demonstrated capacity to develop a postgraduate pipeline and mentor novice researchers in the field of biogeochemical restoration. Visionary capacity to position the CMBG as a leading contributor to biogeochemically informed nature-based solutions. Organisational and administrative skills to manage the University's processes for postgraduate teaching, research and student supervision. Consistent and prolonged track record of managing research programs and obtaining research funding from national and international sources.
Competencies

Required competencies:

Results Orientated:

The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success. The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.

o Strategic Thinking:

The ability to deal with several activities at a time. The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.

o Business Acumen:

The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations. Proficient in using MS Office.

o Leading:

The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm. The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

o Building Coalitions:

The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others. The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.

Assumption of duties:

As soon as possible.

Closing date:

3 July 2025

Allowance:

An 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 7659 or email SejanamaneP@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979 / 9810 / 9813 / 9848 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 Plan is available at: UFS EEA13 1 March 2025_28 Feb 2026

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.