Executive Dean – Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Fixed-term, 5 years)

Academic Partners; Mthatha; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Unitalentza invites applications from senior academic leaders to shape and implement Faculty and University-wide strategies across multi-campus operations at a national level. The role requires directing teaching, learning, and research excellence, and fostering innovation through Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

The successful candidate will build a world-class research environment, lead community engagement, and secure funding through robust local and international collaborations and

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in higher education strategy and governance.
• Strong research output and scholarly impact.
• Experience with information and communication technology in an academic setting.
• Experience with contract development and management in an institutional context.
• Understanding of student access and curriculum design within relevant fields.

Responsibilities

• Develop Faculty strategy and implement University strategy within the Faculty, considering the University’s multi-campus nature and national imperatives
• Lead and direct teaching and learning practices, processes and competencies that achieve academic excellence and foster innovation
• Support the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning to promote innovation in teaching and learning
• Establish and maintain a research environment and support infrastructure that enable world-class research
• Lead and direct community engagement initiatives integrated with teaching, learning and research
• Secure funding, professional recognition, academic development and research opportunities through effective local and international relationships with peers, higher education institutions, the research community, industry, professional bodies and the broader community

Skills

Strategic leadership

Research track record

ICT proficiency

Contract development & management

Education

Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the Faculty

PhD or equivalent qualification in Health Sciences or related field

Job description

• Develop Faculty strategy and implement University strategy within the Faculty, considering the University’s multi-campus nature and national imperatives
• Lead and direct teaching and learning practices, processes and competencies that achieve academic excellence and foster innovation
• Support the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning to promote innovation in teaching and learning
• Establish and maintain a research environment and support infrastructure that enable world-class research
• Lead and direct community engagement initiatives integrated with teaching, learning and research
• Secure funding, professional recognition, academic development and research opportunities through effective local and international relationships with peers, higher education institutions, the research community, industry, professional bodies and the broader community

• Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the Faculty with appropriate professional registration with a relevant South African statutory body, OR PhD or equivalent qualification in Health Sciences or related field
• Minimum 10 years’ relevant experience in the higher education sector, of which at least 5 years in a senior strategic leadership position at a university or academic hospital; OR minimum 8 years’ experience as a Head of Department at a university
• Proven research record
• Must hold the rank of Professor or Associate Professor or be appointable at that rank at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu
• Thorough knowledge of the South African higher education system
• Well-developed proficiency in information and communication technology
• Sound proficiency in management accounting
• Sound proficiency in contract development and management
• Sound knowledge of approaches to student access and support, and curriculum design and delivery within relevant academic fields
• Demonstrated aptitude in managing the research-innovation value chain