Associate Professor/Professor and Head of Department (Term Appointment)

University Of Pretoria; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 1 000 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Associate Professor/Professor to lead the Department of Humanities Education. This role involves advancing strategic vision, enhancing research profiles, and fostering quality education. The successful candidate will engage in impactful scholarly outputs and community engagement while supporting diverse learning needs. With a commitment to excellence, this position offers an opportunity to shape the future of education and make a significant impact locally and globally. Join a vibrant academic community dedicated to transformative education and research.

Benefits

Medical Aid Scheme

Professional Development Opportunities

Community Engagement Initiatives

Qualifications

• PhD in Humanities Education or related field with extensive teaching experience.
• Proven academic leadership and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Support strategic vision and lead departmental management.
• Enhance research profile and oversee academic activities.

Skills

Managerial Skills

Leadership Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Diversity Management

Education

Doctorate in Humanities Education or related field

Job description

UP Posting - Academic

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES EDUCATION

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR/PROFESSOR AND HEAD OF DEPARTMENT (TERM APPOINTMENT)

The University of Pretoria is one of South Africa’s top research-led universities, dedicated to producing high-quality, impactful research that addresses complex contemporary issues. It is one of the most significant producers of research and makes a major contribution to postgraduate and postdoctoral fellowship training, as well as nurturing and supporting researchers at different stages of their research careers. It is home to the largest number of National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers. The University has developed the infrastructure and a number of research platforms, including the Future Africa Institute and Campus, which support multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary research across the institution. The University is continuously expanding its research partnerships and collaborations across the globe.

The University’s nine faculties and business school offer a wide spectrum of under- and postgraduate programmes that are recognised internationally. It offers quality education to a cohort of approximately 55 000 students from across the diversity of the South African population and awards approximately 14% of all degrees conferred annually by public universities in South Africa.

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

Overview Of The Department

The Department of Humanities Education at the University of Pretoria is committed to advancing excellence in teaching, research, and professional practice. We focus on developing skilled educators equipped to support diverse learning needs in schools and communities. Our programs offer comprehensive training in Humanities Education intervention, and inclusive education, underpinned by cutting-edge research. At undergraduate and postgraduate levels, we foster critical thinking, innovation, and a deep understanding of learner development. Through community engagement and academic leadership, the Department contributes to transforming education and promoting well-being, preparing graduates to make meaningful impacts locally and globally.

POSITION

The University seeks to appoint an Associate Professor/Professor and Head of Department. The appointment will be additional to the successful candidate’s academic appointment.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for but not limited to the following:

• Supporting the Dean in advancing the Faculty of Education’s strategic vision.
• Leading the strategic, academic, and operational management of the Department.
• Enhancing the Department’s research profile and fostering impactful scholarly outputs.
• Enhancing quality teaching, learning and student support in the Department.
• Overseeing the academic and professional education and training activities within the Department.
• Serving as an active academic leader, advancing the discipline at national and international levels.
• Supporting the Faculty’s teaching and learning initiatives by promoting innovative uses of technology.
• Coordinating equitable and sustainable resource allocation in the Department.
• Leading fundraising efforts to support departmental programs and initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

The following criteria must be fulfilled for appointment at the level of Associate Professor:

• A relevant doctorate with specialization in Humanities Education, Curriculum Studies or closely related field
• At least 5 - 8 years’ teaching experience in Higher Education Institutions or other closely related education sectors;
• Comprehensive teaching portfolio;
• Meaningful engagement with student feedback;
• At least 11 publications (journals, book chapters, books) of which:
• 4 should be in a mix of internationally and nationally accredited journals;
• 3 publications should be sole authored;
• At least six (6) students supervised to completion at Masters and/ or Doctoral level;
• Proven national and international peer recognition;
• Proven experience in raising research funding;
• Active international collaborations;
• International conference presentations;
• Community engagement in a related field;
• Involvement in Work-Integrated Learning (e.g., Teaching Practice);
• Proven active academic citizenship and mentoring;
• Proven academic administration experience;
• Membership of departmental/faculty/ institutional committees;
• Membership of international scholarly/professional bodies; and
• Membership of external bodies relevant to the discipline or profession Editorial boards/ committees, peer reviewer of academic contributions, external examinations;
• Recommended: H Index (4 and above).

The following criteria must be fulfilled for appointment at the level of Full Professor:

• A relevant doctorate with specialisation in Humanities Education, Curriculum Studies, or closely related field ;
• At least 8 - 10 years’ teaching experience in Higher Education Institutions or other closely related education sectors;
• Comprehensive teaching portfolio;
• Meaningful engagement with student feedback;
• Proven leadership experience in broader curriculum development and scholarship of teaching and learning;
• Proven transformational leadership in curriculum development and innovation;
• At least 16 publications (journals, book chapters, books) of which
• 10 should be in a mix of internationally and nationally accredited journals;
• 5 publications should be sole authored;
• At least eight (8) students supervised to completion at Masters or Doctoral level;
• At least four (4) Doctoral level students supervised, of which three (3) should be sole supervision;
• Proven national and international peer recognition;
• Proven success in raising research funds;
• Proven experience being a lead or principal investigator on national and international research projects;
• Proof of (inter) national peer recognition;
• Active international collaborations;
• International conference presentations;
• Community engagement in a related field;
• Work-integrated involvement/ mentorship;
• Active academic citizenship with a leading mentoring role;
• Proven experience in academic administration;
• Prominent and value-adding participation in departmental/faculty/ Institutional committees; and
• Active membership of international scholarly/ professional bodies.
• H-Index of 8 and above;

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Proven managerial skills and competencies in a tertiary environment;
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills;
• Appropriate language and communication skills;
• Diversity management skills;
• Ability to lead research and teacher training programmes.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES

• Current recognition as an Associate Professor or Full Professor;
• NRF rating;
• Record of scholarly awards.
• Proven record as Principal investigator;
• An active research profile including an ORCiD.

REMUNERATION AND APPOINTMENT

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.

The Head of Department is a term appointment for a period of four (4) years. External candidates will also be considered for a permanent academic appointment in a suitable academic department.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants are requested to apply online, quoting the applicable reference number at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP. Applications must be accompanied by the following supporting documents that must be attached electronically to the application:

• A cover letter, 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;
• Research portfolio (including record of citation index scores);
• 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. The University reserves the right to appoint and consult its own referees.

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to prepare a presentation. The topic of the presentation and further details will only be provided to shortlisted candidates.

All shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in relevant competency assessments as part of the selection process.

CLOSING DATE: 14 April 2025

Applications that are submitted after the closing date or are incomplete or if they do not comply with at least the minimum requirements will not be considered.

Enquiries

Professor LE Mnguni, Tel: [phone], or e-mail: [e-mail] for position related enquiries.

Mrs JM Schoeman, Tel: [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail] for application process enquiries.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 30 June 2025 please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

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

Under the University's Employment Equity Plan and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but it 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, candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information, including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record offences, 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 position.