Position Summary

EE position: EE/AA
Level: Executive

Introduction

UJ is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, anchored in Africa and driven by a powerful strategy focused on attaining global excellence and stature. With an emphasis on independent thinking, sustainable development, and multiple partnerships, UJ is an international university of choice. The University is guided by the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of “Positioning UJ in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) within the context of the changing social, political and economic fortunes of Africa”.

Job description

The Faculty of Education at the University of Johannesburg strives towards dynamic knowledge-making for the 21st century. This implies contextually grounded, future-oriented and globally significant teaching and research. The Faculty is well-known for the good quality of its initial teacher education, professional development and post-graduate programmes, online education offerings, and pioneering work on advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning. It has a global research footprint and many of its academics are highly rated.

The Faculty consists of four academic departments, two research centres and it houses four National Research Foundation Chairs. These are a Chair in Education and Care in Childhood, a Chair in Integrated Studies of Learning Language, Mathematics and Science in the Primary School, a Chair in Teaching and Learning in PSET (post-school education and training) Community, and a Chair in Adult and Worker Education and Training.
Two schools are associated with the Faculty. The Faculty is the guardian of the UJ Metropolitan Academy – a Mathematics, Science and ICT School of Specialisation and the Funda UJabule School. This primary school, situated on the Soweto Campus, serves the Soweto community and it also functions as an education laboratory and teacher education facility for the Faculty.  

Read more about the Faculty of Education at: https://www.uj.ac.za/faculties/facultyofeducation/

The University is seeking to appoint an exceptionally motivated and energetic leader of high professional and academic standing as the new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education. 

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellors Academic and Research & Internationalisation, the Executive Dean is a member of the Executive Leadership Group of the University and is responsible for shaping, leading and delivering world-class, transformative teacher education, professional development and post-graduate programmes, coupled with a strong focus on research. 
The Executive Dean has strategic, operational and administrative oversight of the Faculty, and is expected to effectively and collegially steward the faculty to achieve excellence in all aspects of teaching, research, innovation, internationalisation and community engagement.

The Executive Dean will be expected to:
  • Determine, articulate, implement and lead faculty-based strategic initiatives to enhance the Faculty’s reputation and performance in accordance with the University’s 2025 Strategic Objectives, viz. attaining Global Excellence and Stature (GES) in the context of 4IR;
  • Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the Faculty’s academic programmes across academic departments and disciplines;
  • Develop and deepen excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, including online pedagogy;
  • Promote and advance excellence in research and innovation – in quality and quantity; 
  • Implement policies and develop resources that promote and enhance the research capacity and capabilities of the faculty, including raising funds for research;
  • Oversee an effective, competitive and responsive Programme Qualification Mix, including joint programmes with international universities;
  • Ensure the highest level of Faculty governance, administration and systems functioning, including enrolment planning for the Faculty, management of the students’ academic life cycle and risk management;
  • Develop and implement relevant online, inbound/outbound and/or joint short-learning programmes;
  • Effectively manage academic, administrative and professional support staff, including staff development (recognition, retention and recruitment);
  • Ensure effective and efficient management of the Faculty’s research centres, finances, subsidies and other resources;
  • Promote the reputation and standing of the Faculty in local, national, regional and global contexts; 
  • Strengthen relationships with the public and private sectors, and in particular with professional societies/councils, departments of education, and academic partners in South Africa and internationally;
  • Manage risk within the portfolio.

Minimum requirements

  • Substantial academic stature commensurate with an appointment at Professorial level, with a PhD, DEd or equivalent qualification.
  • An excellent academic reputation evidenced by a sustained record of research output.
  • Excellent strategic leadership skills and knowledge, insight, and vision regarding the teaching profession, nationally and internationally.
  • Proven resource, strategic and people management skills, along with the ability to develop and maintain collaborative networks.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent conflict management and administrative skills.
  • Exceptional ability and resilience to function under pressure.
  • Unquestionable professional integrity and stature.

Recommendation:

Rating with the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa or the potential for rating within a one/two-year period.

Terms of appointment:

The position of Executive Dean is a 5-year contract appointment, with an Executive-level remuneration and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications. The appointment may be renewed for a further term of office, subject to performance.

Retirement age:
The normal retirement age for members of the Executive Leadership Group is 65. Consideration will be given to candidates who would be able to serve for a 5-year term. 

Application:
To apply, please send a detailed Curriculum Vitae and a letter of motivation outlining a possible vision and strategic direction for the position you are applying for. The names and full contact details (including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) of at least 3 traceable and credible referees, should accompany applications.

Applications should be marked "Confidential" and addressed to the Executive Director: Human Resources, University of Johannesburg. PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006 or e-mailed to bdumezweni@uj.ac.za

Enquiries: Ms Tokoza Kwinana, email: tkwinana@uj.ac.za



 

Your application, comprising of a detailed Curriculum Vitae as well as the names and full contact details (including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) of at least three traceable and credible referees must be uploaded before or on the closing date of the advertised post. Please also attach the following: a copy of your highest academic qualification, proof of registration with professional bodies you might belong to and if applying for an academic position, a list of accredited research output and/ or a portfolio of your creative output.

If you require technical support / assistance on the UJ e-recruitment website, please contact our service provider PNET on the following contact details: 0861 227337/010 140 3099 or email ujsupport@pnet.co.za

Candidates may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selection instruments.

In conjunction to merit on the basis of qualifications, experience and proven achievements the University of Johannesburg is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and those individuals from the historically disadvantaged groups. As necessitated by operational requirements the University reserves the right not to make an appointment to positions advertised. If you have not received a response from the University within 8 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

 

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