Associate Professor Social Work

About Flinders

Our bold vision, captured in our Strategic Plan: making a Difference: The 2025 Agenda, is to be internationally recognised as a world leader in research, an innovator in contemporary education, and the source of Australia’s most enterprising graduates.

To realise this ambition, we recently made a significant organisation change to a six College structure with a professional staff and services alignment.

We recognise the key to our success is exceptional people and we’re seeking an outstanding individual to join the team of our transformed university.

Employment Type:

Continuing

Position Summary

Availability:
Continuing | Full-time
Compensation:
Academic Teaching & Research (Balanced) Level D
Salary:
$146,208 - $160,854 per annum
Reporting to:
Dean People and Resources (or Delegate)
About Flinders University Social Work:
Flinders University's heritage of quality, independence, and excellence will continue to be a source of strength and competitive advantage. We recognise the key to our success is exceptional people, and we're seeking an outstanding individual to join the Flinders Social Work team within the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work to contribute to Flinders' bold vision.
We are a team that is:
• passionate about fostering a fairer, more inclusive and socially just society;
• committed to high-quality education, including career-ready skills and knowledge, that will prepare students for the complexities of contemporary practice;
• engaged in exploring nuanced, evidence-based responses to complex problems, such as child abuse, domestic and family violence, disability, homelessness and mental health through research and partnerships to decolonise social work, health, and the human services.
Flinders Social Work is thriving because we:
• attract quality students from 22 countries and across Australia into our degree programs;
• revamp courses to include the latest innovations in online education and skills labs;
• connect to industry partners and communities; and
• publish high quality research outcomes for the profession.
In 2022 our engagement with students, use of innovative skills and simulation laboratories, curriculum and teaching designs were acknowledged by the Good Universities Guide, which ranked Flinders Social Work as SA’s #1 for postgraduate full-time employment, median salary and overall educational experience, and undergraduate median salary and learner engagement*
As the proud home to Australia’s premier Social Work research centre - Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS) – Flinders Social Work is developing a formidable reputation for our rigorous, theoretically driven research examining social issues and social work practice in our ever-evolving world.
*public SA-founded universities only
About the incumbent:
The Associate Professor will be a senior member of the academic staff in the area of Social Work in the College. They will be responsible for leading quality research endeavours including leading, mentoring, and working in teams to attract competitive research grants and other sources of funding, publishing manuscripts in high impact journals and supervision of research higher degree students. They will provide leadership in the planning and delivery of topics within the suite of programs in Social Work. This includes the development of teaching materials, delivery of lectures/tutorials or other innovative teaching and learning strategies, examinations and may be involved in placement education.
The Associate Professor will also be required to work collectively to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new partnerships with external stakeholders that have potential for providing improved teaching, learning and/or research outcomes for Social Work.
They will also prioritise, coordinate, monitor workflow and provide supervision to staff and casual academics according to the University's policies, practices and standards.
We welcome expertise across the social work fields of child abuse, domestic and family violence, disability, homelessness, mental health, decolonisation, and ageing.

Key Position Responsibilities

The Associate Professor is accountable for:

• Providing sustained leadership in teaching and research programs, primarily within Social Work at the national and/or international level.  

• Providing leadership in inspiring and innovative teaching informed by approaches that enhance the student experience and outcomes.

• Making an outstanding high-quality personal contribution to ethical and innovative research and evaluation through activities such as scholarship, quality publication, external grant acquisition and presentation that aligns with the College research themes, particularly  the SWIRLS areas of research strength.

• Mentoring and developing early career researchers, supervision of students undertaking complex work integrated learning, Honours and/or Research Higher Degrees.

• Provide leadership in Social Work internal and external quality assurance and accreditation processes.

• Leading, supervising and participate in high performing multi-disciplinary teams with an education and research focus and contribute to the development of a respectful, trusting and collaborative working environment.

• Developing, establishing and maintaining strategic relationships and networks with a range of stakeholders including industry and professional associations and organisations, nationally and/or internationally.

• Providing leadership to the integration and management of aspects of the academic and administrative life of the College.

• Some out of hours work (including weekends) as well as rural SA, interstate and overseas travel, may be required.

• Any other responsibilities in line with the level of the position as assigned by the Supervisor and/or the University.

Key Position Capabilities

• Eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

• Completion of a PhD in Social Work or a related discipline, or equivalent qualification.

• Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality teaching in a tertiary environment, including involvement in topic coordination, curriculum design, and a range of teaching modalities including e-learning platforms.

• Evidence of educational leadership relevant to teaching and learning in higher education and demonstrated experience leading innovation and inspiring excellence amongst colleagues.

• Significant experience in curriculum reviews as well as internal and external accreditation activities.

• A strong research track record in an area aligned with research strengths in the College, or potential in SWIRLS. 

• Extensive experience in establishing effective research collaborations with external local, national and international partners.

• Demonstrated experience supervising honours and higher degree students.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish effective relationships with staff, students and industry.

For more information regarding the position, or to have a confidential discussion, please contact: Associate Professor Lorna Hallahan

  

‘Flinders University’s collective vision is to foster an environment that recognises and embraces Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, knowledges and cultures. We would therefore, encourage and welcome applicants from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent as well as people with a disability to apply for this position.’

 

A valid National Police Certificate which is satisfactory to the University will also be required before the successful applicant can commence in this position.

In addition, it is a requirement of this position that the incumbent maintain a current Child Related Employment Screening which is satisfactory to the University in accordance with the Children’s Protection Act 1993 (SA).

Information for Applicants:

You are required to provide a suitability statement of no more than three pages, addressing the key capabilities of the position as outlined above. In addition, you are required to upload your CV.

A valid National Police Certificate which is satisfactory to the University will also be required before the successful applicant can commence in this position.

We are seeking to increase the diversity to improve equal opportunity outcomes for employees, and therefore we encourage female applicants, people with a disability and/or from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders descent to apply.

Please note, late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted.

Applications Close 11:59pm:

01 Jun 2022