Subject Head (five-year contract) (Job ID 6280)

UFS; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent university in Bloemfontein is looking for a Subject Head in the Department of English. The role involves providing leadership, guiding academic strategies, and ensuring high-quality teaching and research. Applicants must hold a PhD in English and have experience in an academic environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence the department's future and encourage a collaborative atmosphere. The Subject Head will also be responsible for managing budgets and supporting staff development.

Qualifications

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in English.
• A full-time permanent member of the academic staff at the Department of English.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic leadership to establish the department as a leader in the discipline.
• Direct the academic debate in the department.
• Influence the department's overall climate and culture.
• Create an atmosphere of collaboration among staff.

Education

PhD on NQF Level 10 in English

Tools

MS Office

Job description

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PERMANENT ACADEMIC STAFF WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website. Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED! To ensure your application is complete you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements as well as the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide academic leadership by creating and executing strategies to establish the department as a leader in the discipline vis‑à‑vis competing international entities.

The subject head is directly responsible for:

• Directing the academic debate in the department.
• Influencing the department's overall climate and culture.
• Energising everybody in the department and beyond.
• Shaping the future of the department.

Contribute to the overall leadership in the faculty.

Responsible for frequent and continuous planning and execution of plans general organising and coordinating of staff students and activities mentoring and motivating staff structuring and exercising overall control.

Create an atmosphere of collaboration among staff.

Responsible for effective internal and external communication.

The AHD is pivotal in linking the department's staff and students with the University management and administration through communication negotiation and consultation.

Active participation and involvement in faculty management structures attending meetings leading project teams representing the department and faculty and fulfilling the roles of liaison officer and marketer when necessary.

Active participation and involvement in applicable UFS management structures e.g. Senate.

Initiate formulate and implement a visionary academic strategy for the department that is aligned with and supportive of the guiding strategic documents of the UFS and faculty.

Ensure the provision of top‑quality research‑informed facilitation of learning at all levels of teaching in the department and

• Relevance of content material and presentation in all modules.
• The enhancement of student experiences and their continuous engagement in academic debates.
• That adequate rules and regulations are in place to optimally deliver high–quality teaching and learning programmes on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Adherence to all the rules and regulations of the UFS faculty and department.
• Quality and timely feedback on student work.
• Proper and quality‑driven academic advice and support to all under‑ and postgraduate students in the department; and
• The revisiting and development of fresh learning programmes that will help to position the department as a leader in its field.

Create and maintain a visionary research strategy for the department and an environment that encourages research leading to strong and active research habits and a culture of inquiry.

Ensure that

• Every academic staff member is engaged in quality‑driven and discipline‑specific research;
• Postgraduate students are recruited to broaden the research base of the department; and
• Ethical requirements are met.

Guide and support senior academics towards acquiring NRF ratings.

Engage actively with the faculty research committee and the UFS Directorate of Research Development in order to ensure sustainable financial support for departmental research initiatives.

Build an effective team of scholars through:

• Planning and implementing a fair and reasonable dispensation regarding the workload of staff members in the department;
• Planning and implementing a clear and reasonable career path for every staff member in the department taking account of the strategic plans of the University faculty and department;
• Appropriate mentoring interventions where and whenever needed;
• Managing staff performance in accordance with existing university policies and procedures;
• Recruitment and selection of scholars in the case of vacancies and/or specific strategic needs whenever strategic repositioning requires expansion of academic endeavours;
• Creating and maintaining a scholarship‑friendly environment in the department; and
• Planning and overseeing effective and relevant staff development.

Responsible for the financial management which culminates in:

• Annual budgeting;
• Financial planning;
• Allocation of funds;
• Financial control.

Encourage and actively support academic staff members to apply for external research and other grants.

Inherent Requirements

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in English.
• A full‑time permanent member of the academic staff of the Department of English at the University of the Free State (UFS) Bloemfontein campus.

Recommendations

A minimum of three (3) years lecturing/leadership experience at a tertiary institution.

Required Competencies

Results Orientated:

• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection and approach work in a neat and organised manner.
• The ability to plan work and to follow plans.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good‑natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:

• The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of Duties

01 January 2026

Closing Date

2 November 2025

Allowance

The Subject Head allowance is payable which is calculated according to a transparent formula approved by the relevant decision‑making structures of the UFS. The value of the allowance is available on request.

Enquiries

For enquiries please feel free to contact me at or email at or. Additionally kindly contact / 9813 / 9848 for assistance.

General

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under‑represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: UFS EEA13 1 March 2025 / 28 Feb 2026.

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.

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Employment Type

Contract

Experience

years

Vacancy

1

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