Executive Dean, Faculty of Science

Position summary

Industry: Education & Training
Job category: University and Academy
Location: Johannesburg Metropolitan
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
EE position: No

Introduction

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, anchored in Africa and driven by a powerful strategy focused on attaining global excellence and stature (GES). With an emphasis on independent thinking, sustainable development, and strategic partnerships, UJ is an international university of choice. The University is guided by the Principal and 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 Science is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse academic community where new technologies are developed and applied to improve the quality of all life on earth. The faculty offers nationally and internationally accredited qualifications in scientific disciplines such as computer and numerical sciences, earth and life sciences, and chemical and physical sciences. The 11 (eleven) departments, research centres, and community engagement projects allow for a presence on all four UJ campuses.

The faculty focuses on creating an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning, as well as generating and sharing new knowledge which results in high- quality research and innovation output. The faculty also contributes to community engagement through township-based science enrichment projects. Read more about the Faculty of Science at https://www.uj.ac.za/faculties/science/

The University seeks to appoint an exceptionally motivated and energetic leader of high professional and academic standing as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science.

Reporting to both the Deputy Vice-Chancellors Academic, and Research and Internationalisation, the Executive Dean is a member of the UJ Executive Leadership Group (ELG) and is responsible for shaping, leading, and delivering world-class, transformative education, professional development, and postgraduate programmes, coupled with a strong focus on research with impact.

The Executive Dean has strategic, operational, and administrative oversight of the faculty and is expected to effectively and collegially steward the faculty to achieve sustainable 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 UJ’s reputation and performance in accordance with its 2025 Strategic Objectives, viz. attaining Global Excellence and Stature (GES) in the context of decolonisation, 4IR, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In other words, a strong commitment to delivering on the university’s strategic plan is required.
• 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/blended-learning pedagogy, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and academic citizenship and leadership.
• Promote and advance excellence in research and innovation—both in quality and quantity.
• Implement policies and develop resources that promote and enhance the research as well as the teaching and learning capacity and capabilities of the faculty, including raising funds in support of research, teaching and learning, and continuing education.
• Oversee an effective, competitive, and responsive Programme Qualification Mix, including joint programmes with international peer universities;
• Ensure the highest level of faculty governance, administration, and systems functioning, including enrolment planning, management of the student’s academic life cycle, and risk management.
• Develop and implement relevant online, inbound, outbound, virtual, and/or joint academic programmes.
• Effectively manage academic, administrative, and professional support staff, including staff recruitment, development, and retention.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of the faculty’s research centres, finances, subsidies, and other resources.
• Promote the reputation and standing of the faculty within the scientific community and generally in broader civil society, industry, and government.
• 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.
• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships between the faculty’s alumni and their alma mater.

Minimum requirements

• Substantial academic stature commensurate with an appointment at the professorial level, with a Ph.D. or equivalent qualification.
• An excellent academic reputation evidenced by a sustained record of research output.
• Excellent strategic leadership skills.
• 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.

Recommendations:

• Where applicable, professional registration with a relevant South African statutory body.
• Rating with the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa or the potential for rating within a one- or two-year period.

Terms of appointment:

The position of Executive Dean, which is subject to a compulsory probation period of 12 months, 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 a 5-year term.
Application:

To apply, submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae and letter of motivation outlining a possible vision and strategic direction for the position. The name and full contact details (including telephone numbers and email addresses) of at least (3) three traceable and credible referees must be included.

Applications must be marked ‘Confidential” and addressed to the Executive Director: Human Capital Management, and emailed to Ms. B Dumezweni at email: bdumezweni@ uj.ac.za

LOGIN AND APPLY ONLINE AT http://jobs.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.
Enquiries (UJ e-recruitment Portal)

If you have general enquiries regarding the advertised post, please send an e-mail with the subject line being the reference number of the post to [email protected]
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 [email protected]

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.