Director of Community Engagement (Grade 19)

Rhodes University; Oos-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,480,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhodes University in South Africa seeks a Director of Community Engagement (Grade 19) to lead the university's community engagement mission, aligning it with teaching, learning and research while advancing social justice and sustainable development.

The role requires a Master's degree, PhD preferred, and at least seven years' experience with leadership, fundraising, teaching and scholarly work. Strong budgeting and partnership-building skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in humanities or social sciences or closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in community engagement or development.
• ≥4 years leadership and senior management experience.
• Fundraising experience with donor proposals.
• Ability to teach, write academically, and publish.
• Understanding of community development and equity.
• Budgeting and financial management experience.
• Knowledge of higher education sector is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership for the university's community engagement mission.
• Position community engagement as a core academic function at the nexus of teaching, learning, and research.
• Develop institutional strategies to promote reciprocal, ethical partnerships with diverse communities.
• Lead research in scholarship of community engagement and supervise postgraduate students.
• Contribute to teaching and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Provide intellectual leadership advancing community engagement as a recognized field.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Teaching & writing

Budgeting

Partnership development

Scholarly publishing

Education

Master's degree in humanities or social sciences

Doctoral degree (PhD) advantageous

Job description

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (GRADE 19)

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Main Objectives

The role of the Director of Community Engagement is to provide visionary and strategic leadership for the University's community engagement mission and to position community engagement as a core academic function at the nexus of teaching, learning, and research, while promoting social justice, sustainable development, and societal impact. The Director champions a university-wide culture of community engagement by developing institutional strategies to promote reciprocal, ethical, mutually beneficial and knowledge-driven partnerships with diverse communities.

The Director maintains an active programme of research in the scholarship of community engagement, publishes in peer-reviewed journals, supervises postgraduate students, contributes to teaching in relevant academic programmes, and provides intellectual leadership that advances community engagement as a recognised field of scholarship and practice.

The Job Requirements

A Master's degree in the humanities or social sciences, or a closely related field. A doctoral (PhD) would be an advantage. In addition, the candidate should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, where such experience includes:

• Leading and formulating the strategic direction and advancement of community engagement/community development.
• At least 4 years of leadership and management experience at a senior level.
• Proven ability to implement community engagement strategy through community-university partnerships that drive equitable and inclusive development whilst also contributing to the holistic development of students.
• Fundraising experience, including the ability to write fundraising proposals and manage donors.
• An ability to teach/facilitate, write academically and a publication record.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of community development.
• Financial management, understanding and working with budgets.
• Knowledge of the Higher Education sector is an advantage.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the interview date and will be required to participate in the following selection process:

• Referee reports will be solicited. Candidates will be asked to please inform their referees of this process.
• Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a paper by a specified date before the interviews.
• On the day of the interviews, candidate will be expected to present their paper, followed by a question-and-answer session.
• A panel interview process is expected to follow the presentation and question-and-answer session.

Remuneration per annum (Grade 19):

Cost to Company per annum (Approximately): R 1 640 255

All applications will be treated in strict confidence. This post is advertised as a permanent post, but the University may opt to appoint on a fixed-term contract of not less than three years. The University reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post. An application does not entitle the applicant to an interview. Employment checks will be conducted.

Closing Date: 28 October 2026

Recognising that diversity is important in achieving excellence. Rhodes University strongly encourages South African members of underrepresented designated groups, women, and persons with disabilities to apply. Please note that all appointments are made in line with the requirements of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, as amended, the Immigration Act 13 of 2022, and Rhodes University's Recruitment and Selection policies.

Our core values and principles are the foundation of our commitment to creating a positive, supportive, and enabling environment. These values guide our decisions, actions, and how we engage with each other as we work to achieve our vision and mission.

Diversity; Integrity; Respect; Excellence; Collegiality and Compassion

Underpinning these values is the moral duty of accountability and courage: we acknowledge that we are answerable to each other, our Council and ultimately, the South African society for the decisions we make and the actions we take. We are committed to openness and transparency in our governance, our decision-making and in the execution of our responsibilities and in demonstrating courage in confronting those who violate the values for which we stand.