Head of Community Engagement & Strategic Impact

Rhodes University; Makhanda; On-site; ZAR 1,476,000 - 1,804,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhodes University seeks a Director of Community Engagement to provide visionary leadership for its engagement mission, linking teaching, learning and research with social justice and sustainable development. The role drives ethical, reciprocal partnerships with diverse communities and advances engagement as a scholarly field.

The post requires a Master's in the humanities or social sciences, with a PhD advantageous, and at least 7 years' senior leadership and fundraising experience.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in the humanities or social sciences, or a closely related field.
• A doctoral (PhD) would be an advantage.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience including leadership and strategic direction for community engagement.
• Fundraising experience, including writing proposals and donor management.
• Ability to teach/facilitate, write academically and maintain a publication record.
• Sound understanding of community development.
• Financial management and budgeting experience.
• Knowledge of the 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 for reciprocal, ethical partnerships with diverse communities.
• Maintain an active research program in the scholarship of community engagement and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Supervise postgraduate students and contribute to teaching in relevant programmes.
• Provide intellectual leadership that advances community engagement as a recognised field of scholarship and practice.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Teaching/Facilitation

Academic writing

Publication record

Community development

Financial management

HE sector knowledge

Education

Master's degree in humanities or social sciences

PhD advantageous

Job description

Rhodes University seeks a Director of Community Engagement to provide visionary leadership for its engagement mission, linking teaching, learning and research with social justice and sustainable development. The role drives ethical, reciprocal partnerships with diverse communities and advances engagement as a scholarly field.

The post requires a Master's in the humanities or social sciences, with a PhD advantageous, and at least 7 years' senior leadership and fundraising experience.