Associate Professor/Professor and Head of Department/ Director: Centre for Human Rights, Facult[...]

University of Pretoria; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African university is seeking an Associate Professor/Professor and Head of the Centre for Human Rights. This role involves leading projects, managing the Centre, and teaching postgraduate programs. Candidates should possess a doctorate and significant experience in academia. The university values excellence and diversity and offers competitive remuneration. Applications close on 30 November 2025.

Benefits

Medical aid schemes

Generous remuneration package

Qualifications

• 6 years' tertiary teaching experience for Associate Professor or 8 years' relevant experience.
• Evidence of successful teaching practice and teaching excellence.
• Experience in curriculum development.
• 12 accredited publication outputs for Associate Professor.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects and programmes of the Centre for Human Rights.
• Manage financial sustainability of the Centre.
• Teach postgraduate academic programmes.
• Supervise master's and doctoral candidates.

Skills

Academic research and writing

Project planning and proposal writing

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Fundraising

Human rights knowledge

Ability to resolve conflict

Stakeholder liaison

Strategic leadership

Education

Doctorate in Human Rights law or related field

Job description

UP Posting - Academic

FACULTY OF LAW

CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR/PROFESSOR AND HEAD OF DEPARTMENT/ DIRECTOR: CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (ONE POST)

The University of Pretoria is one of the leading research-intensive universities in South Africa. Its nine faculties and business school offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. We are a diverse and dynamic community of staff and students committed to excellence, diversity, sustainability, and making a difference.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

In pursuit of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the above vacancy.

Overview Of The Department:

The Centre for Human Rights is, on the one hand, an academic department in the Faculty of Law, running five pan‑African master’s programmes and supervising a large cohort of doctoral candidates, and, on the other hand, engages in donor‑funded research, capacity‑building, advocacy and training projects to advance human rights in Africa. The Centre has observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights of the Child and consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. While the appointment as Associate Professor/Professor in the Centre is permanent, the appointment as Director is for a renewable term of four years. The Director acts as Head of Department and leads the Centre’s donor‑funded work.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership on the projects and programmes of the Centre for Human Rights, to enhance and advance human rights in Africa and globally;
• Provide managerial oversight, lead fundraising and enhance partnerships of the Centre;
• Maintain and ensure the financial sustainability of the Centre;
• Provide intellectual leadership to Centre projects;
• Ensure a transformative and inclusive institutional culture in the Centre;
• Provide strategic leadership to frame and implement the Centre’s research agenda;
• Conduct and publish research outputs in line with Faculty policy;
• Provide strategic guidance on Centre publications; Represent the Centre in high‑profile events;
• Maintain and forge further collaborations with the African Union human rights system; Scope and forge new partnerships in furtherance of the mission of the Centre; Represent the Centre in international fora;
• Promote African and global research partnerships and collaborations;
• Responsible for human resource management and related activities;
• Provide leadership to the Centre’s academic programmes;
• Teach on the Centre’s post‑graduate academic programmes, and human rights short courses;
• Supervise master’s and doctoral candidates and postdoctoral fellows.

Minimum Requirements:

The candidate must possess the requisite qualifications and experience to be eligible for appointment as Associate Professor or Professor in the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, the assessment of which is based on several factors, including excellence in teaching, extensive, impactful research and postgraduate supervision, community engagement, academic administration and academic citizenship.

Associate Professor:

• A doctorate in Human Rights law or a related field;
• 6 years’ tertiary teaching or vocational experience, or 8 years’ post‑qualification experience in the legal profession or related field, or a proportionate combination of the aforementioned experience;
• Evidence of a successful teaching practice, teaching excellence and compliance with applicable Faculty and University performance standards on teaching;
• Substantial experience in curriculum development and curriculum transformation;
• 12 accredited or peer‑reviewed publication outputs, of which at least 6 must be sole‑author;
• 6 Conference papers delivered at conferences, of which 2 must be international;
• An NRF research rating, or a positive substantive peer review support, or other proof of academic standing, indicating local and some recognition in the field of expertise;
• Successful master’s supervision of at least 2 research master’s or 4 coursework master’s mini‑dissertations;
• Strong record of academic and/or legal administration and academic citizenship. This could include the following:
• Participation in departmental/Faculty/ University committees;
• Journal review and editing;
• Serving as external moderator or reviewer for other academic and non‑academic institutions;
• Guest lectures at other academic and non‑academic institutions;
• Any other engagements and activities which may broadly demonstrate academic leadership and citizenship

Professor:

• A doctorate in Human Rights law or a related field;
• 8 years’ tertiary or vocational teaching experience, or 10 years’ relevant post‑qualification experience in the legal profession or related field, or a proportionate combination of the aforementioned experience;
• Evidence of a successful teaching practice, teaching excellence and compliance with applicable Faculty and University performance standards on Teaching;
• Extensive Experience in curriculum development and curriculum transformation;
• 25 accredited or peer‑reviewed publication outputs of which at least 12 must be sole‑authored;
• 8 Conference papers delivered at conferences, of which 4 must be international;
• An NRF research rating, or a positive substantive peer review support, or other proof of academic standing, indicating local and international recognition in the field of expertise, is recommended;
• Evidence of at least 1 completed successful doctoral supervision or co‑supervision, successful master’s supervision of at least 3 research master’s or 7 coursework master’s mini‑dissertations, unless there are subject‑specific factors that require deviation;
• Extensive record of academic and/or legal administration and academic citizenship. This could include the following:
• Participation in departmental/Faculty/University committees;
• Journal review and editing;
• Serving as external moderator or reviewer for other academic and non‑academic institutions;
• Guest lectures at other academic and non‑academic institutions;
• Any other engagements and activities which may broadly demonstrate academic leadership and citizenship.

Required Competencies (skills, Knowledge And Behavioural Attributes):

• Academic research and writing;
• Project planning and proposal writing;
• Liaison with internal and external stakeholders;
• Fundraising and competence in the management of these funds;
• Knowledge of human rights in Africa;
• Proven competence and experience in project planning and proposal writing;
• Appropriate Language skills;
• Communication skills;
• Proven strategic leadership skills;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Ability to resolve conflict.

Added Advantages And Preferences:

Associate Professor:

• where possible, evidence of completed successful doctoral supervision or co‑supervision will be a strong recommendation unless there are subject‑specific factors that require deviation;
• Other indicators of the quality and impact of the candidate’s research, which will contribute significantly to the candidate’s advantage, include (but are not limited to): Prestigious scholarly awards, fellowships and research collaborations; contribution to educational material in the field; citation by courts; membership of national and international academic bodies and invitations to present keynote lectures;
• Evidence of community and public engagement being embedded in the candidate's research and/or teaching will be a strong recommendation;
• 3 years of management experience (after doctorate);
• Proven experience and competence in successfully raising funds and managing funds;
• Experience in liaison with internal and external stakeholders, particularly within Africa;
• Competency in any of the AU languages (i.e., French, Arabic, Swahili, Portuguese).

Professor:

• Other indicators of the quality and impact which will contribute significantly to the candidate’s advantage include (but are not limited to): Prestigious scholarly awards, fellowships and research collaborations; contribution to educational material in the field; citation by courts; membership of national and international academic bodies and invitations to present keynote lectures;
• Evidence of community and public engagement being embedded in the candidate's research and/or teaching will be a recommendation;
• 3 years of management experience (after doctorate);
• Proven experience and competence in successfully raising funds and managing funds;
• Experience in liaison with internal and external stakeholders, particularly within Africa;
• Preferably a suitable NRF research rating or other evidence of international standing;
• Competency in any of the AU languages (i.e., French, Arabic, Swahili, Portuguese).

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent's level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

Application Process:

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za and follow the link: Careers@UP.

In Applying For This Post, Please Attach:

• A cover letter, a comprehensive CV detailing academic and professional qualifications, as well as a full employment history;
• Certified copies of qualifications;
• A self‑evaluation of your suitability for appointment in the post;
• Vision for the Department;
• Teaching portfolio including student evaluations;
• Research portfolio (including record of citation index scores); and
• The names and contact details of at least three referees (one national and two international) who can attest to your academic stature and leadership qualities.

Candidates are expected to make a 10‑minute verbal (no technology) presentation to the Faculty Recruitment and Selection Committee on his/her vision for the Department.

Although candidates will be appointed permanently as Professor or Associate Professor, the headship is a fixed‑term appointment of four years. Preference will be given to the incumbent for re‑appointment for a second term if they are available for appointment.

CLOSING DATE: 30 November 2025

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

Enquiries:

Prof S Cornelius, [e-mail], for position‑related enquiries. Ms J Schoeman, [e-mail], for application process enquiries.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 March 2026, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to, candidates from under‑represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply.

By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information, including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, and current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right not to fill the advertised positions.