Job Description

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Duties and responsibilities:
Professor

• Provide supervision to postgraduate students, namely Honours, master's and PhD students.
• Lecture Environmental Geography for postgraduate and undergraduate students.
• Provide capacity building in Geography as a recognised discipline within the UFS.
• Develop and refine curriculum associated with Geography.
• Collaborate with relevant staff members in the Geography domain.
• Develop Geography research projects, as well as interdisciplinary projects with relevant departments and centres such as the Afromontane Research Unit.
• Conduct research in the field of Environmental Geography and deliver quality research outputs in line with the research strategy of the Faculty.
• Perform academic administration pertaining to undergraduate and postgraduate subjects- this may include typing, setting and marking of all question papers and memorandums, recording of marks, moderation and handling of student complaints.
• Serve as a member of various academic committees and perform any other tasks allocated by the Dean.
• Provide leadership in pursuit of the department and faculty strategic plan with regard to research, teaching, engaged scholarship and leadership and administration.
• Attend and speak at conferences, research colloquia, workshops and seminars in order to enhance research and disciplinary knowledge.
• Identify opportunities and apply for external research funding, whether as an individual or in collaboration with colleagues.
• Participate in community activities such as mentorship and provide training and short courses in the areas of specialisation.

Associate Professor

• Provide supervision to postgraduate students, namely Honours, master's and PhD students.
• Lecture Geography and Environmental Geography for postgraduate and undergraduate students.
• Develop and refine curriculum associated with Geography and Environmental Geography.
• Collaborate with relevant staff members in the Environmental Geography Field.
• Develop Environmental Geography research Projects, as well as interdisciplinary projects with relevant departments and centres such as the Afromontane Research Unit.
• Conduct research in the field of Environmental Geography and deliver quality research outputs in line with the research strategy of the faculty.
• Perform academic administration pertaining to undergraduate and postgraduate subjects- this may include typing, setting and marking of all question papers and memorandums, recording of marks, moderation and handling of student complaints.
• Serve as a member of various academic committees and perform any other tasks allocated by the Dean.
• Provide leadership in pursuit of the department and faculty strategic plan with regard to research, teaching, engaged scholarship and leadership and administration.
• Attend and speak at conferences, research colloquia, workshops and seminars in order to enhance research and disciplinary knowledge.
• Identify opportunities and apply for external research funding, whether as an individual or in collaboration with colleagues.
• Participate in community activities such as mentorship and provide training and short courses in the areas of specialisation.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with relevant research, civil society, government, industry and professional organisations.

Senior Lecturer

• Provide supervision to postgraduate students, namely Honours, master's and PhD students.
• Lecture Geography and Environmental Geography for postgraduate and undergraduate students.
• Provide capacity building in Geography and Environmental Geography.
• Develop and refine curriculum associated with Geography and Environmental Geography fields.
• Develop Geography and Environmental Geography research projects, as well as interdisciplinary projects with relevant department and centres such as the Afromontane Research Unit.
• Conduct research in the field of Geography and Environmental Geography and deliver quality research outputs in line with the research strategy of the Faculty.
• Perform academic administration pertaining to undergraduate and postgraduate subjects- this may include typing, setting and marking of all question papers and memorandums, recording of marks, moderation and handling of student complaints.
• Serve as member of various academic committees and perform any other tasks allocated by the Dean.

Inherent Job requirements:
Professor

• PhD on NQF Level 10 in Environmental Geography or closely related field.
• Experience as external examiner for master's-degree and doctoral students.
• Acted as editorial board member of high-quality international/ISI/IBSS journals.
• Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a particular area of academic scholarship (for example, regularly serves as a reviewer for international/ISI/IBSS journals).
• An NRF rating of C1 or C2 or equivalent status.
• Demonstrated successful supervision of graduated master's-degree and preferably graduated doctoral students.
• Proven experience in delivering keynote addresses at national scholarly conferences.
• Served as a member of an international scholarly society OR an international committee or agency concerned with research at higher-education levels.

Associate Professor

• PhD on NQF Level 10 in Environmental Geography or closely related field.
• Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students.
• Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers.
• Acted as an editorial board member of high-quality national scholarly journals.
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship.
• An NRF rating of C3 or equivalent status.
• A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals
• Proven experience in the supervision of graduated master's degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals.
• Served as a member of a national scholarly society OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels OR showed evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent.

Senior Lecturer

• PhD on NQF Level 10 in Environmental Geography or closely related field.
• Proven experience in the presentation of papers/posters at national scholarly conferences.
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research in a specific area of scholarship.
• An NRF rating or demonstrated potential for obtaining an NRF rating.
• Proven experience in supervision of graduated master's degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publication/s in peer reviewed national and international accredited scientific journals.
• Proven experience of service as an active member of a national or international scholarly society or committee or agency concerned with research at higher-education levels.

Recommendations:

• Well established relationships with international research collaborators.
• Evidence of being well established in the field of Environmental Geography.
• Evidence of having conducted inter and transdisciplinary research in mountain environments.

Competencies

Key Competencies required:

• Results oriented:

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

• Strategic thinking:

o The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
o The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen:

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

• 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 a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building coalitions:

o The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
o The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Required Documents

Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application.

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

Assumption of duties:
01 January 2024.

Closing date:
08 October 2023.

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 contact 051 401 9810 or email or . Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 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 : https://ufsacza.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/sites/supportservices/hr/Employment Equity/EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf?csf=1&web=1&e=TjtoXH

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.

The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position.

Additional Information

University of the Free State