Overall teaching and learning, research, community engagement and administrative management of the academic department, and to provide support to the Department/Faculty in pursuit of its academic objectives. Serves on various committees including the Senate and Faculty Board. Responsibilities also include budget, asset and financial management, people management and safety, health and environmental management, curriculum development, student academic development, administration, quality assurance, academic management, and the development of research capacity within the Department/Faculty to contribute to the academic initiatives undertaken by the department/Faculty.
Heads of Department are appointed on a contract basis in addition to their substantive employment.
Minimum Requirement
Professor P5
- PhD NQF 10 in the discipline of Foundations of Education: Psychology/Philosophy/Sociology/History of Education
- 10 years of relevant experience
- Proven track record in teaching, research (including publications in accredited journals) and community engagement
- Proven track record of supervising postgraduate students at Masters and/or Doctoral level
- Five years of relevant academic management and leadership experience
- Evidence of successful curriculum development
- High academic and professional standing in the field of expertise and high academic credibility among peers
- Strategic planning and implementation experience
- Knowledge and experience in implementing quality assurance requirements
- Excellent computer skills
- PhD NQF 10 in the discipline of Foundations of Education: Psychology/Philosophy/Sociology/ History of Education
- More than 8 years relevant experience
- Proven track record in teaching and learning, research (including publications in accredited journals) and community engagement.
- Proven track record of supervising postgraduate students at Masters and/or Doctoral level
- Evidence of successful curriculum development and academic management
- Knowledge and experience in implementing quality assurance requirements
- Excellent computer skills
- PhD/Doctorate NQF 10 in the discipline of Foundations of Education: Psychology/Philosophy/Sociology/ History of Education
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant teaching at the university level or industry experience.
- Evidence of managing a research program and some publications (seven or more) in accredited journal/s, as well as postgraduate research supervision.
- Relevant research and publication record as an established scholar.
- Research supervision experience at Honours, Masters and PhD levels.
- Evidence of successful curriculum development and academic management.
- Evidence of active participation in professional and/or community activities
- Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements.
- Track record of administration, management and/or leadership roles at department and faculty levels.
- Excellent computer skills
- Demonstrable leadership and/or management experience;
- Ability to develop a strategic vision and mission for the Department;
- Leadership and management competencies inclusive of the ability to lead and manage a diverse group of academics and programmes in the areas of Teaching Practice and WIL;
- Knowledge of DHET policies and of the higher education sector in general;
- Knowledge of SPU policies and procedures
- Develop relevant reports as and when required
- Ability to provide innovative leadership in initiating, developing and reviewing academic programmes;
- Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements;
- Demonstrate competencies and skills in change management and transformation; and
- Proven experience in liaising with external stakeholders
Previous experience as HoD/Programme co-ordinator etc.
Duties And Responsibilities
Teaching and Learning:
- Foundations of Education: Psychology/Philosophy/Sociology/History of Education
- Teaching Practice modules
- Utilize innovative and effective teaching methods to engage students and enhance their understanding of modules linked to the Foundation of Education.
- Mentor and advise students in research projects and academic pursuits.
- Established researcher with active and impactful research linked to the Foundations of Education and/or Teaching Practice and WIL
- Publish research findings in reputable peer-reviewed and accredited journals.
- Evidence of securing external funding through grants and collaborations.
- Contribute to the development and enhancement of education curricula.
- Integrate emerging educational technologies and pedagogical approaches into course materials.
- Collaborate with local schools, organizations, and communities to promote Teaching practice and WIL activities.
- Integrate community engagement interventions into curriculum.
- Report on own involvement in professional, industry and/or community activities.
- Participate in outreach programmes aimed at fostering interest in Teaching Practice and WIL activities.
- Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, and best practices.
- Engage in professional development activities to enhance teaching, research and supervision capabilities.
- Contribute to departmental and university service through committee participation.
- Provide leadership and support in advancing the goals of the department and institution.
- The HOD is responsible to his/her Head of Faculty/Dean for his/her work as head. The HOD must develop an operational plan for the department in consultation with the Dean/Head of the Faculty.
- Initiate, formulate and implement a visionary academic strategy for the department that is aligned with and supportive of the guiding strategic documents of the SPU and Faculty.
- The essence of headship is to give academic leadership to the department, to be concerned about its scholarship, its teaching and its standards, to develop its staff, and to grow it into a well-functioning academic unit.
- 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.
- The HOD is pivotal in linking the departments staff and students with the University's management and administration through communication, negotiation and consultation.
- It is the HOD's duty to represent the interests of the department in the Faculty Board, Senate and more widely.
- The HOD should hold regular departmental seminars to promote intellectual vigour and rigour in the discipline.
- The HOD should hold departmental meetings at least once every two months. Minutes should be kept and confirmed, and used for producing action lists with deadlines. He/she should ensure a good flow of information to staff, especially as regards to policies and procedures.
- The HOD is responsible for staff planning (include succession planning), staff development, the development of a departmental employment equity plan (in consultation with the Dean of Faculty), and the carrying out of this plan. The head must carry out annual staff appraisals.
- The HOD is responsible for safety in his/her department. This includes ensuring that students, staff and visitors to the department are safeguarded and protected from physical risk and that safe working standards and procedures are adhered to at all times.
- The HOD is responsible for the control of expenditures against departmental budgets and has the right to information about research budgets and research expenditures of members of the department.
- The HOD is responsible for the equipment and assets assigned or on loan to the department and for the departmental asset register.
Assumption of duties: As mutually agreed to upon acceptance of the appointment. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. This position may be subjected to assessments.
Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Note: Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is dedicated to meeting its Employment Equity targets.
