Associate Professor/ Professor : Raymond Mhlaba Centre for Governance and Leadership

NMU; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A South African university is seeking an Associate Professor or Professor in Public Management and Leadership to advance the faculty’s mandate. The successful candidate will foster an engaging research environment and develop strategic partnerships in governance and leadership. A PhD and significant academic experience are essential, along with a proven research record. This role emphasizes community engagement and ethical leadership principles.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience as an Associate Professor or related discipline in a university.
• Experience in a senior management position.
• Proven research record and publishing of DHET-accredited outputs.

Responsibilities

• Foster an intellectual environment for research.
• Nurture scholarship in public administration and leadership.
• Coordinate a research hub for postgraduate students.
• Identify and pursue strategic partnerships.
• Develop extra-curricular learning programmes.
• Generate third stream income for sustainability.

Skills

Advanced academic experience in public management and leadership

In-depth knowledge of governance systems and policy

Experience in establishing sustainable strategic partnerships

Advanced competencies in research

Capacity to mentor early career scholars

Advanced research skills

Ability to conceptualize and monitor projects

Leadership in a senior position

Experience in fundraising and financial management

Education

PhD in Public Management and Leadership or cognate discipline

Job description

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

The Raymond Mhlaba Centre for Governance and Leadership is guided in its work by the leadership qualities, values and intellectual heritage of the struggle icon, Raymond Vulindlela Mhlaba and the core purpose of the job is:

• To advance the faculty’s mandate: to revitalize the humanities disciplines where humanities research and teaching is linked to pertinent societal programmes to advance democracy, social justice, and the public good.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Foster an intellectual environment for research by engaging scholars in the academy and outside organic intellectuals with a purpose of examining the capacity, accountability and sustainability of the public service and government and provide insights into the improvement of these for the betterment of society
• Nurture scholarship in public administration and leadership that appreciates indigenous ways of knowing, especially around the values of ethical leadership as epitomized by Raymond Mhlaba
• In collaboration with the School of Governmental and Social Sciences, coordinate a research hub for postgraduate students and postdoc fellows in the area of Public Administration and Leadership and related subject fields in the school
• Identify and pursue strategic partnerships with the government sector and other entities with similar purpose
• Establish sustainable collaborations within Africa and the global South
• Develop extra-curricular learning programmes (Short Learning Courses), and
• Identify, pursue, and successfully make use of opportunities to generate third stream income for the Centre’s long-term sustainability and the successful implementation of its programmes

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Advanced academic experience in public management and leadership, and understanding of African intellectual traditions on ethical and value-based leadership
• In-depth knowledge of governance systems and policy in relation to local, provincial, and national public institutions
• Experience in initiation and establishing sustainable strategic partnerships between the University and relevant institutions within Africa and beyond
• Experience in the higher education sector and with advanced competencies in research, postgraduate and postdoctoral supervision
• Capacity to mentor early career scholars in Public Management and Leadership
• Advanced research skills, and ability to strategically support the intellectual project of the Department of the Public Management and Leadership in the Humanities Faculty
• Ability to conceptualize and monitor the implementation of the projects of the Centre
• Leadership in a senior position in a related field
• Experience in fundraising and financial management

REQUIREMENTS

Associate Professor:

• PhD in the field of Public Management and Leadership or cognate discipline.
• At least three to seven years of demonstrable experience as an Associate Professor: Public Management or related discipline in a university
• At least 3 years’ experience in a senior management position
• Proven research record and publishing of DHET-accredited outputs

Professor:

• PhD in the field of Public Management and Leadership or cognate discipline
• At least two years of demonstrable experience as an Associate Professor: Public Management or related discipline in a university
• At least 3 years’ experience in a senior management position
• Proven research record and publishing of DHET-accredited outputs

DISCLAIMER: Nelson Mandela University is a designated employer committed to pursuing excellence, diversity, inclusion, and redress in achieving its employment equity targets. Preference will be given to suitably qualified (Race and Gender) candidates in accordance with the University\'s employment equity targets.

No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 14 November 2025.