Assoc. Prof/Senior Lecturer (Permanent) and Rotational HOD (5-year contract), Foundation Phase [...]

Cape Peninsula University of Technology; Wellington; On-site; ZAR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in South Africa seeks an Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer for the Foundation Phase Teaching/Early Childhood Education program. The successful candidate will provide leadership, manage academic staff, and teach at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A Doctoral degree in Education and extensive teaching experience in the Foundation Phase are required. Knowledge of Afrikaans is essential. This position is permanent and offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of education.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have extensive teaching experience in Foundation Phase/Early Childhood Education.
• Experience in academic managerial roles is required.
• Strong record of research publications in accredited journals is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Foundation Phase department and manage academic staff.
• Teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
• Implement strategic goals in alignment with institutional objectives.

Skills

Teaching in Afrikaans

Educational Leadership

Research Management

Financial Management

Curriculum Development

Supervision of Postgraduate Students

Education

Doctoral degree in Education

Four-year undergraduate degree in Foundation Phase/Early Childhood Education

Job description

Overview

Assoc. Prof/Senior Lecturer (Permanent) and Rotational HOD (5-year contract), Foundation Phase Teaching/Early Childhood Education (Re-advertisement)) - (8206)

Job Title: Assoc. Prof/Senior Lecturer (Permanent) and Rotational HOD (5-year contract), Foundation Phase Teaching/Early Childhood Education (Re-advertisement))

Faculty: Education

Department: Foundation Phase

Campus/Location: Wellington Campus - Wellington, WC ZA (Primary)

Job Type: Permanent

Occupational Function:

Number of Positions: 1

Annual Salary Package (incl. Medical Aid rate based on principal member only): To be confirmed

Advert Closing Date: 12/10/2025

Job Purpose

• The Head of Department must take a leadership role within the Foundation Phase (FP) Department for managing, leading and providing direction to a team of academics and support staff.
• Management of the department as a member of the Faculty Executive.
• Ensure that the Department and Faculty strategic goals are realized in line with the institutional strategic goals.

In addition to meeting the core academic expectations, the incumbent should manage the department effectively and efficiently, in line with the CPUT policies and procedures including but not limited to (i) academic leadership, (ii) research management; (iii) HR staff management, (iv) financial management and (v) student management. It is expected that new and creative ideas will bring innovation and further developments to the department to maintain an environment of leaders for the future.

The successful candidate must teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Thesuccessful candidate must be able to teach at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Please note that the position is based at Wellington Campus where tuition is in Afrikaans. Candidates must be able to teach in Afrikaans

Job Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A relevant Doctoral degree in Education
• A four (4) year undergraduate degree with specialization in Foundation Phase Education/Early Childhood Education or an undergraduate degree with a teaching qualification in Foundation Phase/Early Childhood Education
• At least six (6) years’ relevant teaching experience in Foundation Phase/Early Childhood Education in higher education
• Record of research outputs: Publications in peer-reviewed accredited journals; presentation of papers at professional conferences
• Post-graduate students supervised to completion relevant to the Education field (preferably in the field of Foundation Phase/Early Childhood Education)
• Recipient of research grants and awards
• Experience as an external examiner/moderator
• Experience in curriculum development
• Knowledge of the HEQSF processes
• Proven evidence of leadership qualities
• Experience in financial management and budgeting
• Experience in evaluating Teaching Practice
• The successful candidate must have experience in teaching aspects of Education in the Foundation Phase programme

Recommendations:

• NRF Rating
• High standing nationally in the Foundation Phase/Phase/Early Childhood Education
• Previous experience in a similar position or at an equivalent or higher level
• Relevant experience in the Intermediate Phase

Minimum Requirements: Senior Lecturer

• A relevant Doctoral degree in Education
• A four (4) year undergraduate degree with specialization in Foundation Phase Education/Early Childhood Education or an undergraduate degree with a teaching qualification in Foundation Phase/Early Childhood Education
• At least four (4) years’ relevant teaching experience in higher education
• At least three (3) years’ proven academic managerial experience
• Experience in research and post-graduate supervision of students to completion
• Experience in curriculum development
• Proven evidence of leadership qualities
• Knowledge of HEQSF process
• Experience in evaluating Teaching Practice
• The successful candidate must have experience in teaching aspects of Education in the Foundation Phase programme
• Experience as external examiner/moderator
• A record of research and publications, preferably in the field of FP
• High standing nationally in the FP Phase/Early Childhood Education
• Previous experience in a similar position or at an equivalent or higher level
• Experience in financial management and budgeting

(The selection panel’s recommendation and assessment will be aligned with the institutional promotions criteria)

Minimum requirements: Head of Department

• A relevant Doctoral degree in Education
• A four (4) year undergraduate degree with specialization in Foundation Phase Education/Early Childhood Education or an undergraduate degree with a teaching qualification in Foundation Phase/Early Childhood Education
• A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience, of which three (3) years’ must be as a Senior Lecturer or above
• The five (5) years mentioned above must include two (2) years’ experience in evaluating Teaching Practice as well as two (2) years’ management experience related to the functions of an HOD (i.e academic management; curriculum development; quality assurance and accreditation processes; financial and HR management in a department)
• Research and supervision experience commensurate with the level of Senior Lecturer or above

Key Performance Areas / Principal Accountabilities

• Provision of leadership to the FP programme
• Implementation of the department and faculty strategic goals in line with the institutional strategic goals
• A member of the Faculty Executive, SENATE and other faculty committees
• Academic management and administration
• Academic leadership
• Teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level
• Conducting and promoting/management of research in the department and innovation activities
• Community engagement and involvement in extra-curricular activities
• Supervision of students during teaching practice
• Curriculum and programme development
• Change facilitation
• Coaching and mentoring
• Personal and professional development and implementation
• Engagement and building partnerships (Networking with schools and other partners)

The HOD roles and functions cover a broad area and include, but are not limited to the following:

• Financial management and management of the budget
• Human resource management
• Academic management and academic administration
• Quality promotion and quality management
• Academic planning and the development of the departmental PQM
• Implementation of OHS Act
• Professional development of academic and support staff
• Implementation of the performance management system
• Management of research and innovation activities
• Management of workplace-based learning and service learning
• Management of stakeholder partnerships
• Initiating and engaging in fundraising activities
• Overseeing marketing and recruitment strategy of the department
• Development of a departmental strategic plan and overseeing its implementation.
• Perform other functions as may be assigned by the Dean.
• Excellent academic and administrative management skills
• Strategic decision-making skills
• Progressive and dynamic leadership skills
• Programme accreditation knowledge
• Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills
• Ability to work in and lead a team
• Ability to lead and manage change
• Effective and efficient financial management skills
• Human resources and people management skills
• Ability to build strategic working relationships
• Team development, mentoring and coaching of others
• Integrity, impact and energy

NB: Internal applicants interested in Senior Lecturer/ Associate/Professor positions are encouraged to apply through the Promotion of Academic Staff process if they are eligible. To ensure fairness and consistency, all applications will be assessed against the criteria for Promotion of Academic staff at the respective level(s) applied for. All applicants must satisfy the criteria for promotion to be considered and will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence. In instances where a post is advertised across two levels or more (e.g., Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor/Professor), preference may be given to applicants who meet the requirements at a higher level. Applicants must specify the level at which their application(s) should be considered. The University reserves the right to appoint at a lower level.

General Information

Closing Date: 12 October 2025

For enquiries and assistance with your on-line application, please contact Ms Viwe Lalela, Human Capital Department at [e-mail] or 021 460 3351

Please ensure that your on-line CV highlights and includes the following information:

• All your completed qualifications
• Academic transcript for your undergraduate qualification
• Your teacher's qualification
• Abstract of your Doctoral degree.
• Your major subjects at undergrad level
• Subjects you have taught and at which level
• Details regarding your research output/publication record and all scholarly achievements
• Details of your Permanent Residency (where applicable)

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is committed to Employment Equity and aims to attract and retain talented individuals to achieve our equity objectives and therefore, people from the designated groups, including those with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to applicants whose appointment contributes towards the achievement of demographic representation. We reserve the right not to make an appointment.

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We are a university in Cape Town, South Africa and the only university of Technology in the Western Cape province.

We are also the largest university in the province.