Head Research Capacity Development and Funding Opportunities

Stellenbosch University; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in South Africa seeks a Head of Research Capacity Development and Funding Opportunities, responsible for managing research activities and coordinating funding opportunities within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Candidates should possess a PhD in health sciences and at least five years of relevant experience, including managerial roles. Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills are essential. Proficiency with tools like MS Office is also required. The role is based at the Tygerberg Campus.

Qualifications

• At least five years of experience, including two years in a managerial role.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Experience in academic writing, including grant and manuscript writing.

Responsibilities

• Manage research capacity development activities within the Faculty.
• Oversee funding opportunities dissemination and research funding management.
• Supervise coordinators in various research support units.

Skills

Organizational skills

Leadership skills

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

PhD degree in health sciences

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Adobe Pro

Job description

Department Description

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Office of the Vice‑Dean: Research and Internationalisation

Division of Research and Development

Head: Research Capacity Development and Funding Opportunities (Post Level 6)

(Tygerberg Campus)

Ref. TGB11/275/1025

The incumbent will be responsible for managing research capacity development activities within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) at Stellenbosch University (SU); managing the dissemination of funding opportunities; managing selected internal and national research funding pre‑ and/or post‑award within the FMHS and SU; managing the annual research output survey within the FMHS; providing support to the FMHS and SU committees; assisting with the implementation of the FMHS and SU’s strategic plan for research. The incumbent will also supervise and manage the coordinators working in the Capacity Development and Research Outputs Unit, the Funding Opportunities Unit, the Registrar Research Support Unit and the Undergraduate Research Unit situated within the Office.

Duties / Pligte

• Managing and providing leadership to staff in the Research Capacity Development and Funding Opportunities Office, including the research coordinators in the Capacity Development and Research Outputs Unit, the Funding Opportunities Unit, the Registrar Research Support Unit and the Undergraduate Research Unit.
• Developing, planning and executing relevant research capacity development activities within the FMHS.
• Devising and maintaining optimal structures, systems and processes around research funding opportunity dissemination and pre‑ and post‑award research funding management within the FMHS and SU.
• Managing annual budgets and research capacity development cost centres and managing research funding cost centres.
• Managing and supporting the annual FMHS research output surveys for reporting outputs to the Department of Higher Education and Training.
• Interacting with stakeholders both within and outside of the FMHS and SU on matters related to research capacity development and research funding.
• Contributing to and supporting SU and the FMHS committees.

Job Requirements / Pos Vereistes

• PhD degree in health sciences.
• At least five years experience of which at least two years at a managerial level working in a health sciences environment within a higher education institution or a health research institute.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a time‑sensitive and high‑pressure environment.
• Experience in academic writing specifically grant writing, manuscript writing and/or protocol writing.
• The ability to work autonomously, take initiative and set goals.
• A keen interest in research support and the development of research capacity.
• Efficiency, maturity and a strong work ethic.
• Excellent interpersonal management and leadership skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Proficiency in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Pro, etc.

Recommendation / Aanbeveling

• Project management experience.
• Experience in grant writing, grant management and/or grantsmanship.
• Experience in workshop facilitation and/or teaching.
• Experience with a Moodle‑based learning management system.
• Evidence of previous academic activities (research publications, student supervision, conference attendance).
• Experience in budget management.
• Proficiency in Afrikaans and/or isiXhosa.

How To Apply / Hoe Om Aansoek Te Doen

The University is committed to employment equity (EE) and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan.

Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Your application comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three references) must reach the University before or on the closing date in the advertisement.

Apply online by clicking ‘Apply now’ at the top to the right of the page for the specific vacancy.

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.

Enquiries / Navrae

Enquiries about this post: Prof Nico Gey van Pittius on or at [email protected] or at [email protected]

Enquiries about remuneration/benefits as well as technical assistance with the electronic application: (Tygerberg) or at [email protected]