Associate Lecturer: Political Studies

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

The Department of History and Political Studies in the Faculty of Humanities seeks to appoint a self-motivated, dynamic, and aspiring academic in Political Studies to contribute to the teaching and research responsibilities of the department. The successful candidate will be expected to teach Political Studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and contribute to revitalisation of the Humanities at Nelson Mandela University as well as the intellectual repositioning of a dynamic and growing department. The candidate should demonstrate a growing research and/or teaching focus in the broad area of African political economy, with demonstrable ability to teach in the area of African economy and gender, preferably with the ability to teach on the real lives of women in Africa. We are looking for a candidate who is in touch with the state of African economies and how women are situated in these realities. The candidate must have a sound academic rooting in the field of Political Science and related research methods. They must also be able to teach in the specified focus area as well as broadly in the field Political Science within the department. As part of broader curriculum transformation, the candidate must have a working knowledge of concepts, debates, and frameworks within African scholarship and how these shape Political Science and possess demonstrable scholarly ability to advance such scholarship within the department and Faculty. Candidates must have a proven track record in carrying out learning and teaching demands in a high pressure public higher education institution and proven ability to handle very large undergraduate classes, a demanding teaching load and enable learning success of a diverse student body. The successful candidate must have the interpersonal skills necessary to professionally navigate the high pressured and complex environment of higher education and work well within a team environment. We are looking for a candidate who is independent, resilient, a team-player, willing to learn and serve, problem-solving and has the ability to professionally self-manage in the higher education terrain. The successful candidate must be intellectually open-minded and able to think and work under pressure.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• To provide teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Political and Conflict Studies as is required
• Undertake teaching in postgraduate teaching in Methodology
• Facilitate creative transformation of curriculum content at undergraduate and postgraduate level
• Supervise postgraduate research broadly in Political and Conflict Studies as well as in South African and African Political Economy
• Undertake innovative research that expands knowledge foundations of Political and Conflict Studies in South Africa and beyond
• Actively participate in engagement within the University and wider community
• Undertake administrative duties within the Political and Conflict Studies programme and the faculty at large including compulsory service in faculty and university committees
• Facilitation of research and accredited scientific publications, workshops, seminars, public lectures, and conferences

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong knowledge of foundational concepts, debates, approaches in Political Science and Conflict Studies and associated debates in political economy in Africa
• Theoretical foundation in Humanities/Social Science research methodology and design
• An understanding of new trends in the fields of Political and Conflict Studies with reference to African scholarship, curriculum transformation
• Knowledge of major approaches in Social Science/Humanities research methods
• Ability to incorporate Interdisciplinary approaches into Political and Conflict Studies teaching and research methodology/design
• Proven ability to teach, manage and conduct assessments for large undergraduate classes
• Ability to facilitate teaching and learning via different online platforms
• Teaching and research capability towards a transformed Political and Conflict Studies and Humanities curriculum
• Ability to work successfully under pressure in a complex and challenging higher education environment
• Proven ability to work with others in a collegial, team-oriented fashion

Requirements

• B.A (Honours) in Political Studies or Conflict Management/Resolution (candidates from cognate disciplines may be considered if higher education experience aligns with disciplinary requirements)
• Experience of at least 1 year in facilitating learning or related research-driven work at higher education institution
• Demonstrable potential to conduct high level research that can produce publications in accredited scholarly journals.
• Shortlisted candidates may be requested to undergo some form of competency assessment
• Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide three references with a minimum of two from prior teaching/ research institutions

Nelson Mandela University reserves the right not to make an appointment. In considering candidates for appointment into the advertised posts, preference will be accorded to persons from a designated group in accordance with the approved Nelson Mandela University Employment Equity Plan. No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 26 July 2024.