Job Description

Job Purpose

The Executive Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences reports to the Deputy Vice-Chancellors: Academic, and Research and Internationalisation, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Group of the University. The primary responsibility of the Executive Dean is to effectively and collegially steward the Faculty in achieving excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement. The Executive Dean is a member of the Executive Leadership Group (ELG) and is responsible for shaping, leading, and delivering world-class, transformative, and inter-professional education, professional development, and postgraduate programmes, coupled with a strong focus on research with impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Determine, articulate, implement, and lead faculty-based strategic initiatives to enhance the Universitys 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
• Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the Facultys academic programmes across academic departments and disciplines
• Develop and deepen excellence and innovation in learning and teaching, 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 learning and teaching capacity and capabilities of the Faculty, including raising funds in support of research and learning and teaching, and Continuous Education
• Oversee an effective, competitive, and responsive Programme Qualification Mix, including joint programmes with international peer universities while ensuring that faculty programmes are, where necessary, fully accredited with the relevant accreditation bodies
• Ensure the highest level of faculty governance, administration, and systems functioning, including enrolment planning, management of the students 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 Facultys research centres, finances, subsidies, and other resources
• Promote the reputation and standing of the Faculty within the health sector, 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 Facultys alumni and their alma mater
• Provide strategic leadership for the promotion and establishment of the medical school
• Ensure graduates will be well placed to apply their skills within the broader health setting in South Africa, including adopting new technologies to improve health outcomes in patients and communities

Minimum Requirements

• Substantial academic stature that meet the Universitys criteria for professorial appointment, with a PhD or equivalent qualification in Health Sciences or a related field
• An excellent academic reputation, evidenced by a sustained record of research output
• Excellent strategic leadership skills and knowledge, insight, and vision regarding the teaching profession, nationally and internationally
• 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, emotional intelligence, and resilience to function under pressure
• Unquestionable professional integrity and stature

Recommendations

• Professional registration with a relevant South African statutory body is preferable
• Rating with the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa or the potential for rating within a one-/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.

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