Lecturer/Senior Lecturer - Community Engagement

Rhodes University; Makhanda; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhodes University invites applicants for Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Community Engagement. The post focuses on teaching, research, and leading Community Engagement initiatives within RUCE, fostering engagement with local communities in Makhanda, and developing an Engaged Research course for students and partner organisations.

The role requires advancing CE scholarship, coordinating CE programs, and contributing to strategic management, with opportunities for leadership across departments and

Qualifications

• Master's in a relevant discipline (preferably Humanities or Social Science).
• Prepared to register for a PhD (Lecturer).
• Experience in Community Development and Community Engagement.
• Tutoring, facilitation or conference presentation experience.
• Experience in Community-Based Participatory Research.
• Some administrative experience.

Responsibilities

• Disseminate knowledge through teaching and learning, and engage in research.
• Provide academic leadership within teaching-research-community engagement nexus.
• Develop and promote Engaged Research initiatives and courses.
• Coordinate CE programs and contribute to M&E systems.
• Build partnerships with community organisations in Makhanda.

Skills

Tutoring and facilitation

Conference presentation

Administrative experience

Education

Master's in a relevant discipline

PhD (for Senior Lecturer)

Job description

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer Community Engagement

Community Engagement

The Community Engagement Departmentinvites suitably qualified candidates to join their team.

Main Objectives

All academics are responsible for disseminating knowledge (teaching and learning), creating knowledge (research), engaging in community engagement, and recognising differences in how these responsibilities are executed across the various Departments and Faculties. Academics are also expected to assume administrative, management, and/or leadership duties at the departmental, Faculty, and/or University level and contribute to their profession.

For this role, the incumbent is expected to provide academic leadership within the teaching-research-community engagement nexus. There are three main objectives listed below.

• The first is to work with Academics and Academic Departments to:

1. Enhance the quality of institutional external engagement with communities and university partners through Community-Based Participatory Research.
2. Accelerate the impact and quality of Engaged Research (ER) initiatives and projects run by academics and departments at Rhodes University.
3. Build meaningful relationships with community partner organisations in Makhanda, assisting in brokering strategic partnerships between the community and the university
4. Develop and establish an Engaged Research course for students, staff at Rhodes University and local community partner organisations.
5. Support researchers and lecturers in developing innovative engagement strategies.
6. Implement mechanisms to capture evidence of initiatives, impact, and quality of engaged research initiatives.
7. Establish monitoring and evaluation (M&E) support strategies for ER and reporting on ER at RU.
8. Management and promotion of the Knowledge for Change (K4C) initiative.

2) The second main objective is to make critical and original contributions to CE scholarship at local, national and international levels by leading the RUCE Editorial Team of the African Journal of Higher Education Community engagement and generating community engagement knowledge by publishing articles for newspapers and pamphlets, writing scholarly papers for accredited/peer-reviewed academic journals, and presenting research at conferences.

3) The third main objective is coordinating a CE programme, theorising and promoting a scholarly, asset-based approach to community engagement at Rhodes University. Participate in the strategic management and oversight of the program's development, implementation, and M&E systems.

The Requirements

Lecturer

• Master's in a relevant discipline, preferably Humanities or Social Science (must be prepared to register for a PhD)
• Experience in Community Development (CD) and Community Engagement (CE) (partnership development, Service Learning, Volunteerism and Engaged Research)
• Tutoring, facilitation, or conference presentation experience required. No teaching experience is required.
• Experience in conducting Community-Based Participatory Research. Ability to teach diverse groups in the University and the broader community
• No research supervision is required.
• Some administrative experience, albeit in informal contexts (e.g., student or sports clubs), and work experience.

Senior Lecturer

• At least a PhD in a relevant discipline, preferably Humanities or Social Science.
• Experience in CD and CE (partnership development, Service Learning, Volunteerism, and Engaged Research)
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels is required.
• Experience in conducting Community-Based Participatory Research.
• Research supervision at the level of at least a Master's degree is required.
• Emerging national profile in the discipline
• Track record of administration, management, and/or leadership roles (leadership roles may be informal

Application Process

It is essential that prospective candidates read Job profile for further information and ensure that all relevant documentation is submitted.

The following documents are required which should be saved on the system with your application under the additional documents section:

• A comprehensive CV and relevant qualifications which should include the following: -
  • Reasons for leaving your current and previous jobs.
  • Referees who are and/or were your direct line manager, their title, name, designation and contact information which should be at least their contact number and email address.
• A strong and succinct motivation outlining your interest in the post and suitability relative to the job requirements.

Please note that no hand-written applications will be considered. Your application must be submitted via our website and online recruitment system. Failure to submit all documentation and respond to all the questions asked appropriately will result in an application being disqualified.

Any questions or enquiries regarding the submission of an application please contact [e-mail].

Selection Process (provisional date, subject to change)

• Short-listing meeting scheduled for 11 November 2026.
• The selection process that will be followed for this post will include an assessment and/or presentation and an interview.
• Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the interview date.

Remuneration per annum

Senior Lecturer (SL)

Basic Pensionable Salary per annum: R826 322

Cost to Company per annum (Approximately): R1 069564

Lecturer (L)

Basic Pensionable Salary per annum: R667 972

Cost to Company per annum (Approximately): R872 722

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 on recommended candidates.

Closing Date: 23 October 2026

This advertisement may be closed before the indicated closing date if a high number of applications are received. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.

If you are not contacted within 30 days from the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Recognising that diversity is important in achieving excellence. Rhodes University strongly encourages South African members of underrepresented designated groups as well as persons with disabilities to apply. Spouses and partners of existing staff members are also encouraged to apply.

Please note 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.

These values are: 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.