Job Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PERMANENT ACADEMIC STAFF WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide academic leadership by creating and executing strategies to establish the department as a leader in the field of Geography.
• Responsible for directing the academic debate in the department.
• Responsible for influencing the department's overall climate and culture.
• Responsible for energising everybody in the department and beyond.
• Responsible for shaping the future of the department.
• Contribute to the overall leadership in the faculty.
• Responsible for frequent and continuous planning and execution of plans, general organising and coordinating of staff, students, and activities, mentoring, and motivating staff, structing, and exercising overall control.
• Create an atmosphere of collaboration among staff.
• Responsible for effective internal and external communication.
• The Academic Head is pivotal in linking the department's staff and students with the University's management and administration through communication, negotiation, and consultation.
• Active participation and involvement in faculty management structures, attending meetings, leading project teams, representing the department and faculty, and fulfilling the roles of liaison officer and marketer, when necessary.
• Active participation and involvement in applicable UFS management structures, e.g., Senate.
• Initiate, formulate, and implement a visionary academic strategy for the department that is aligned with and supportive of the guiding strategic documents of the UFS and faculty.
• Ensure the provision of top-quality, research-informed facilitation of learning at all levels of teaching in the department.
• Ensure relevance of content, material, and presentation in all modules.
• Ensure the enhancement of student experiences and their continuous engagement in academic debates.
• Ensure that adequate rules and regulations are in place to optimally deliver high-quality teaching and learning programmes on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Adhere to all the rules and regulations of the UFS, faculty and department.
• Ensure quality and timely feedback on student work.
• Ensure proper and quality-driven academic advice and support to all under- and postgraduate students in the department.
• Ensure the revisiting and development of fresh learning programmes that will help to position the department as a leader in the fraternity.
• Create and maintain a visionary research strategy for the department.
• Create and maintain an environment that encourages research, leading to strong and active research habits and a culture of inquiry.
• Ensure that every academic staff member is engaged in quality-driven and discipline-specific research.
• Ensure that postgraduate students are recruited to broaden the research base of the department and ethical requirements are met.
• Guide and support senior academics towards acquiring NRF ratings.
• Ensure active engagement with the faculty research committee and the UFS Directorate of Research Development in order to ensure sustainable financial support for departmental research initiatives.
• Plan and implement a fair and reasonable dispensation regarding the workload of staff members in the department.
• Plan and implement a clear and reasonable career path for every staff member in the department, taking account of the strategic plans of the University, faculty and department.
• Implement appropriate mentoring interventions where and whenever it is needed.
• Manage staff performance in accordance with existing university policies and procedures.
• Responsible for recruitment and selection of scholars in the case of vacancies and/or specific strategic needs, whenever strategic repositioning requires expansion of academic endeavours.
• Create and maintain a scholarship-friendly environment in the department.
• Plan and oversee effective and relevant staff development.
• Responsible for financial management culminating annual budgeting, financial planning, allocation of funds and financial control.
• Adhere to the UFS's financial policies and procedures.
• Encourage and actively support academic staff members to apply for external research and other grants.

Inherent requirements:

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Geography or related discipline.
• Full-time, permanent member of the academic staff of the Department of Geography at the University of the Free State (UFS).

CompetenciesRequired competencies:

• Results oriented.

- The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and work to achieve success.
- The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.

• Strategic thinking.

- The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
- The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.

• Business Acumen:

- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficient in using MS Office.

• Leading.

- The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude, and encourage people to work together.

• Building coalitions

- The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application.

• A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter.
• Copies of qualifications (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications).
• A copy of your identity document (ID or passport in the case of foreign nationals).
• Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if applicable).

Assumption of duties:
01 January 2025Closing date:
29 October 2024Allowance:
An allowance is payable, which is calculated according to a transparent formula approved by the relevant decision-making structures of the UFS. The value of the allowance is available on request.Enquiries:
For enquiries, please feel free to contact me at 051 401 2979 or email at SejanamaneP@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9810 / 9813 / 9848 for assistance.General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at : EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdfThe University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.Additional Information

University of the Free State