Job Description

PurposeAs a senior academic the incumbent will be expected to teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules, establish a research programme in this discipline as well as be involved in growing a research community in the faculty, raise the necessary funds to support such research. In addition, the incumbent will also serve as a Head of Department in Languages and Communications for a period of 3 years. The Department of Languages and Communications comprises the following academic disciplines: Afrikaans, English Studies, Court Interpreting, Creative Writing, isiXhosa, South African Sign Language and Setswana.Minimum Requirements

• A PhD or relevant Doctorate and underpinning qualifications in any one of the following academic disciplines Afrikaans/English Studies/ Court Interpreting/ Creative Writing/isiXhosa/South African Sign Language/Setswana or a cognate discipline.

Senior Lecturer

• At least five (5) years relevant experience, where three 3 years must have been as lecturer in Higher Education
• Demonstrate evidence of continuous research productivity in the form of publications in DHET accredited journals and peer- reviewed conference proceedings, research papers presented at national and/or international conferences; contributions to scholarly books published by reputable publishers, in good standing with DHET and not linked to predatory practices; evidence of external research fund raising, citations (e.g. Scopus H- index); NRF rating is recommended.
• Develop and present a reflective teaching portfolio which covers: approach to teaching; contributions to curriculum development; design of learning materials; innovative pedagogy; student and junior staff mentoring; successful supervision of postgraduate students; formal participation in teaching and learning development courses; student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching; evidence of scholarship of teaching and learning would be beneficial.
• Significant involvement in discipline or departmental official activities and processes which includes active academic participation in workshops/forums in higher education as well as community engagement activities; movement towards recognition in the broader subject/ discipline community; external examining/moderating at under- and postgraduate levels

Associate Professor:

• At least eight (8) years relevant experience

• Demonstrate evidence of continuous research output in the form of Publications in DHET accredited journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings; research papers presented at national and/or international conferences; contribution to scholarly books published by a recognized publishing house; citation record (e.g Scopus h-index); evidence of research leadership in publication/ grant application; NRF rating is strongly recommended; external research funds raised; national and/or international research publications
• Develop and present a reflective teaching portfolio that covers: approach to teaching; leadership contributions to curriculum development, design of learning materials, and innovative pedagogy and/or Scholarship of Teaching and Learning; student and junior staff mentoring; successful supervision of postgraduate students including PhD students; formal participation in teaching and learning development courses; student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching.
• Demonstrate evidence of: significant involvement in discipline, departmental and/or institutional official activities and processes which includes active academic participation in workshops/forums in higher education as well as community engagement activities and CE as a scholarly activity; external examining/moderating of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes

Professor:

• At least ten (10) years relevant experience

• Demonstrate evidence of continuous research output in the form of continual and sustained research outputs in high impact DHET -accredited journals in a mix of local and international journals; scholarly contributions to books published by recognized publishers; evidence of external research funds raised; productive research linkages and networks with leading scholars at national and international level; presentations of research papers as invited or keynote speaker at scholarly local and international conferences; must be NRF rated, have a notable citation track record (evident through an Scopus H-index commensurate to period as active research), research leadership demonstrated through authorship position on publications.
• Develop and present a reflective teaching portfolio that covers: approach to teaching; leadership contributions to curriculum development, design of learning materials and innovative pedagogy; student and staff mentoring; successful supervision of postgraduate students including PhD students; formal participation in teaching and learning development courses; contributions to presenting teaching and learning courses; scholarly contributions to teaching and learning development; student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching;
• Demonstrate evidence of leadership and contribute positively towards the discipline, department, faculty and the institution; active involvement in professional and/or discipline societies; playing an active role in leading of academic citizenship activities in the broader community; acknowledgement and referred to as respected leader in the field by the broader scientific community; frequently evaluate articles for good journals and/or serve on editorial board for such journals; contribute to scientific and organising committees of significant conferences; external examining/moderating at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

Recommendation

• Involvement in societies/organisations that promote the relevant disciplines in Languages and Communications Studies

Duties and ResponsibilityTeaching and Learning:

• Develop and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
• Utilize innovative and effective teaching methods to engage students and enhance their understanding of modules
• Mentor and advise students in research projects and academic pursuits.

Research:

• Conduct cutting-edge research with a focus on teacher education.
• Publish research findings in reputable peer-reviewed and accredited journals.
• Evidence of securing external funding through grants and collaborations.

Curriculum Development:

• Contribute to the development and enhancement.
• Integrate emerging educational technologies and pedagogical approaches into course materials.

Community Engagement:

• Collaborate with local schools, organizations, and community initiatives.
• Participate in outreach programmes

Professional Development:

• Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, and best practices
• Engage in professional development activities to enhance teaching, research and supervision capabilities.

Academic citizenship:

• Contribute to departmental and university service through committee participation.
• Provide leadership and support in advancing the goals of the department and institution.

Requirement for Head of Department

• A PhD or relevant Doctorate and underpinning qualifications in any one of the following academic disciplines Afrikaans/English Studies/ Court Interpreting/ Creative Writing/isiXhosa/South African Sign Language/Setswana or a cognate discipline.

• Already a Senior Lecturer with three years leadership experience

Duties of HOD

• Actively support the Dean of the Faculty in the leadership and management of the academic project
• Ensure the implementation of the SPU vision, mission and values and the implementation of strategies for the Department in the following portfolios:

• Teaching and learning
• Research
• Community engagement
• Quality assurance and risk management
• Student academic development and support
• Manage access, throughput and pass rate strategies for the Department
• Academic and professional leadership
• Facilitate, manage and maintain sound internal relations regarding staff and students, as well as their development
• Embed an institutional and performance culture that supports the implementation of the SPU mission, vision, values and strategic priorities
• Drive the induction of all new and current staff in the Department on:
• SPU vision, mission, values and strategic priorities
• Strategic priorities of the Faculty and the Department
• Oversee curriculum development and new programme development in the Department
• Ensure regular reviews of academic programmes within the Department
• Track the latest national and international teaching and learning developments
• Lead and manage the promotion, and recognition of quality teaching and learning approaches in the Department
• Ensure access to student academic development and support, etc.
• Increase percentage of academic staff rated as research active
• Increase number of postgraduate students within the Department
• Lead in producing high-value linkages and partnerships with other institutions, organisations and communities
• Support the integration of community engagement in the teaching and learning, research and service delivery activities of the faculty.
• Further develop existing and build new multi-stakeholder partnerships with communities, civil society, government and business.
• Promoting innovation in the academic, operations and general administration of the Department
• Further develop and implement the quality assurance system to meet both internally set standards and the requirements of relevant external bodies
• Oversee the identification and avoidance of all risk elements in the departments activities
• Implement plans for identified risks
• Ensure compliance with SHE policies and procedures
• Participate in policy development and implementation in the Faculty.
• Oversee the implementation of policies and procedures applicable to the academic project, i.e. teaching and learning, community engagement, research, SHE and academic administration functions
• Participate in the Faculty and/or university-wide governance and management structures
• Oversee the proper functioning of departmental administrative and operational processes
• Chair and participate in departmental/faculty committees
• Lead, manage and develop direct reports
• Review structures for its appropriateness to assist the Department in achieving its strategic priorities
• Provide oversight in the recruitment and selection process for direct reports
• Support the achievement of equity targets and the transformation of the institutional culture
• Oversee the induction and probation of all new staff
• Drive performance contracts and regular reviews for all staff
• Ensure the training of all staff on performance management process and system
• Implement performance contracts for all staff and ensure regular reviews
• Drive and promote sound employment relations
• Human resource administration
• Manage staff leave as per SPU policy
• Sign off relevant documentation needed

Enquiries can be made via email atAssumption 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.NB! Applicants who previously applied for the position are advised to re-apply.

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