Job Description

Title of Position
Professor/Associate Professor in Land and Agrarian Studies
Post Number
M476 / ITS: 0210
Faculty/Department
University of the Western Cape -> Economics & Management Sciences -> Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS)
Type of Position
Permanent - Full Time
Length of Contract Period
Location
Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)
Closing Date
5/12/2025
Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) enjoys national and international acclaim for its continuing contribution to democratic change in South Africa and for making quality education accessible to all South Africans and developing centres of excellence of national importance. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated and willing to make a significant contribution to the University, the Faculty, and the Institute.
The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that educates the students across multiple disciplines including Accounting, Finance, Managementand Entrepreneurship, Economics, Industrial Psychology (HumanResources Management), Information Systems, Institute for Poverty, Landand Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), Institute for Social Development, Political Studies, School of Government and the Academic Literacies Programme.
The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies is an internationally recognised centre of research excellence and postgraduate training. PLAAS conducts research, provides training and supervision, and pursues policy and community engagement, to advance just, equitable and sustainable access to land, fisheries and other natural resources. PLAAS offers training at postgraduate level only, through a Post-Graduate Diploma, Masters and PhD, as well as short courses. PLAAS currently has 16 staff. All posts, except three Professors, are supported by donor-funded projects.
The position offers a unique opportunity for an established academic with a high profile, someone who has the energy, drive and resilience to make a significant and enduring contribution to PLAAS, and is motivated to drive the development of PLAAS as a centre of academic and professional excellence.
The successful candidate for Professor/Associate Professor will be responsible for the following key performance areas:

• Conduct research and publish in the field of land and agrarian studies
• Generate research grants and initiate income-generating projects
• Facilitate learning and teaching
• Undertake postgraduate supervision
• Undertake curriculum development and assessment
• Provide mentorship to emerging scholars
• Participate in community engagement and outreach
• Contribute to a high public profile for PLAAS nationally and internationally
• Provide academic and administrative leadership
• Contribute toward overall organisational efficiency

Minimum Requirements

• A PhD or NQF equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g. sociology,anthropology, geography, environmental science, development studies, politics, economics) from a reputable university
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating learning and teaching
• Extensive experience of social science research on topics relevant to the core focus of PLAAS
• A demonstrated capacity for fundraising from international philanthropic foundations, research councils and other public institutions
• Extensive experience and proven competence in academic leadership and management
• A track record of quality accredited peer-reviewed publications
• A track record of successful postgraduate training and supervision
• Evidence of the integration of community engagement with learning and teaching and/or research
• Evidence of expertise and national standing in his/her discipline (as well as definite international presence at Full Professorship level)
• Experience in generating research grants through international partnerships

Key competencies:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Adaptability and the ability to operate in a diverse environment
• Student focused approach
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Planning and organising skills
• Computer literacy and e-learning skills
• Technical professional knowledge and skills in the discipline and in the core strategic areas, namely learning and teaching, research and scholarship, community engagement as well as professional leadership

Information for applicants: Applications should consist of a covering letter, a full CV including details of research grants and postgraduate supervision, three examples of the applicant's published research, and contact details for three contactable referees.
For further information (but not applications), please contact Prof. Ruth Hall on rhall@uwc.ac.za
.
In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and include anything else you deem exceptional and outstanding to be considered by the selection panel. In addition, please attach a cover letter motivating your suitability, a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details of three referees, and your highest qualification to your online profile.
To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job link below or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/9763/9708/3551/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za.
DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University's commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.

Skills Required