Pro-Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs 166 views

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, the Pro Vice Chancellor will be responsible for initiating, recommending, implementing and monitoring policies, systems and procedures dealing with the Academic and related issues of the University. The position therefore calls for a competent, versatile, and focused individual who can provide critical leadership in championing implementation of the University Strategic Plan.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The terms of reference for the Pro-Vice Chancellor are hinged on the duties and powers of a Pro-Vice Chancellor as spelt out in Section 9 (2) of the University of Zimbabwe Act (Chapter 25:16), and informed by the institution’s current strategic objectives drawing inspiration from the national vision and development objectives.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Developing policy and institutional frameworks for successful implementation of a programmatic approach to University academic business as an underpinning for Education 5.0’;
• Coordinating academic and co-curricular programmes and activities among faculties, institutes, and associate/affiliate colleges for seamless implementation of the University’s strategic plan, with a central thrust to provide effective solutions to problems and challenges faced by industry, commerce and society at different scales;
• Developing and implementing mechanisms for fostering heritage-based and inclusive education within and across
  faculties and institutes, in the context of the University’s programmatic approach;
• Providing leadership in the development, implementation, monitoring and review of policies, systems and procedures
  dealing with academic issues of the University;
• Overseeing academic planning, curriculum development and review of teaching and learning programmes in
  pursuance of the strategic objectives of the University;
• Developing policy frameworks and strategies for delivery of cross-faculty foundational courses for undergraduate and
  post-graduate academic programmes;
• Receiving, analyzing and synthesizing quality assurance reports from the Directorate of Quality Assurance and
  Professional Development to make recommendations to the Vice Chancellor;
• Coordinating and supervising implementation of the national qualifications and academic promotions frameworks by
  University faculties and institutes as provided for by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education Innovation
  Science and Technology Development;
• Performing specific executive roles as may be assigned by the Vice Chancellor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

The successful candidate should be a leading academic, preferably at Associate Professor or Full Professor and exhibiting high level of academic and professional maturity, hardworking and with ability to pay attention to detail among other desirable attributes. He/she should also have excellent written and oral communication skills and good leadership skills.

The candidate should have, among other attributes:

• An earned PhD/DPhil Degree from a recognized University
• An excellent record of teaching and research experience at University level;
• Relevant administrative and professional development experience working with diverse stakeholders in academia;
• An excellent record of resource mobilization and fund-raising;
• Track record of success in collaborative research and academic partnerships, and ‘putting research into use’;
• A record of serving on University Commitiees;
• A proven record of published scholarship as well as on providing academic mentorship;
• Commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

DESIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Clear knowledge of the national socio-economic development objectives and aspirations for Zimbabwe;
• In-depth understanding of Zimbabwe’s development problems in the context of Africa and Global development challenges;
• Knowledge of University academic regulations and processes, including quality assurance issues;
• Ability to clearly articulate the transformative role of higher and tertiary education institutions in Zimbabwe’s development;
• Clear understanding of Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 in the context of the Modernisation and Industrialisation National agenda;
• A high level of diligence and ability to work without supervision;
• Exceptional knowledge and experience in processes of the core functions of the University and knowledgeable about functions of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE);
• Knowledge and expertise on use of ICT in higher education and academic institutions;
• Knowledge and ability to develop and implement models for capacity building in tertiary institutions;
• Be able to cultivate inquisitiveness in the institution, resulting in new thinking and ground breaking ideas that benefit the national developmental cause;
• Open-minded, future-focused, team-builder, innovative and always seeking to add value to the University of Zimbabwe brand.