Job Description

Purpose
The incumbent will support the DVC: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies in the leadership and management of the academic project at the University. S/he further take full responsibility for the development of a vibrant academic culture, in support of the university reaching its research strategic objectives. Further responsibilities include people management, budget and financial management and health and safety management.
Minimum Responsibilities

• A Doctoral degree in a related field would generally be required
• At least 10 years experience in higher education institutions, including supervision of staff, budgets and processes
• A track record in leading and managing research with experience in interacting with researchers, research councils, funders, and other stakeholders both locally and internationally
• A thorough understanding of research and postgraduate student issues
• Experience at effectively managing resources within a complex organisation
• Experience in developing and managing donor or funder relationships, and in proposal and report writing
• The ability to work under pressure and manage a complex set of concurrent tasks
• Excellent people management skills and a strong service ethic
• Can think strategically and operationalise strategy into plans and projects
• Has the ability to mobilize and inspire others towards shared goals
• Computer skills (MS Office suite) and experience with research information management platforms (e.g SARMS/RIMS)

Duties and responsibilities. * Strategy Development and Execution

• Actively support the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies in the leadership and management of the research, and innovation project at the University
• Support the effective implementation of the Universitys mission, vision, values and strategic priorities
• Support and guide the following portfolios:
• Academic leadership and planning in the areas of research, post graduate studies and innovation
• Internationalization of research in line with national policy frameworks
• Interacting with external partners, including government, local and international universities, alumni, business and local communities, and donors (fundraising)

• Embed an institutional and performance culture that supports the implementation of the SPU mission, vision, values and strategic priorities
• Drive the induction of all new and current staff in Research on:

o SPUs research plan and associated strategies

• Research: Operations Management

Research

• Ensure that SPU builds and strengthens its research capacity and footprint aligned to its mission and vision
• Contribute to the increase in the number of academic staff rated as research active
• Contribute to the increase in the number of postgraduate students
• Explore and cultivate funding opportunities for the core activities of research, postgraduate studies and innovation
• Ensure the digitalization of research and post graduate student information storing and reporting in line with SPU imperatives
• Develop the commercialisation of research and associated technology transfer

Emerging Researchers/Post-Doctoral Fellowships

• Identify opportunities for obtaining funding for postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students, through national and international sources
• Encourage and support academics to apply for funding for postdoctoral fellows, and leverage institutional opportunities to participate in postdoctoral funding programmes
• Provide support to postdocs for their development into future academics (both at SPU and beyond)

Commercialisation and Innovation

• Explore alternative funding opportunities for the core activities of innovation
• Increase patent activities, including patent registrations

Community Engagement

• Lead in producing high-value linkages and partnerships with other institutions, organisations and communities
• Ensure that inter-faculty transfer and departmental collaboration is maximised and the selected cross-university partnerships are rendered fully effective
• Facilitating the processes of exchanging and transferring knowledge, expertise and experiences between SPU and community development initiatives
• Support the integration of community engagement in the research and service delivery activities of SPU
• Develop existing and build new multi-stakeholder partnerships with communities, civil society, government and business
• Support greater collaboration in identified areas between the University and its communities in Kimberley and surrounding areas is affected

• Policy and Procedure Development

• Drive the review of current research and innovation policies and procedures and the development of new policies and procedures where necessary
• Provide continuous feedback to line management and staff on implementation practices related to policies and procedures

• Quality Assurance and Risk Management

Quality Assurance

• Implementation of the quality assurance standards/ measures to meet both internally set standards and the requirements of external bodies

Risk Management

• Provide risk reporting
• Implement plans for identified risks
• Oversee the identification and avoidance of all risk elements in the Directorates activities

• Health and Safety and Employee Wellbeing

• Ensure compliance with SHE policies and procedures

• Resource Management: Human Resources

• Lead, manage and develop staff in your reporting line
• Review structures for its appropriateness to assist the Research department in achieving its strategic priorities
• Develop the Research departments workforce plans together with HR to ensure adequate resource planning, budgeted and are aligned to transformation targets
• Provide oversight in the recruitment and selection process for office staff
• Support the achievement of equity targets and the transformation of the institutional culture
• Oversee the induction and probation of all new staff
• Drive performance contracts and regular reviews for all staff
• Provide oversight in the training of all staff on the performance management process and system
• Implement performance contracts for all staff and ensure regular reviews
• Drive the staff development conversations and development plans
• Develop a training budget for training needs
• Drive and promote sound employment relations
• Human resource administration
• Manage staff leave as per SPU policy
• Sign off relevant documentation needed

• Resource Management: Budget and Finance

• Develop the departments Budget and provide sound financial management
• Prepare and report on:

o Annual staffing and operating budget and capex

• Manage expenditure according to the approved annual budget
• Asset management

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Drives the effective implementation of administrative systems
• Identify trends and issues in Portfolio Areas and communicate to relevant stakeholders
• Develop relevant reports as and when required
• Research and implement best practices
• Prepare and submit any reports as and when required

Enquiries can be made via email at spurecruit@spu.ac.za
Assumption 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 subjected to assessments.
Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Note: Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is dedicated to meeting its Employment Equity targets.