Job Details

  • Reference number: RefUnitAP1040
  • Province: Gauteng
  • Type of engagement: Fixed term contract
  • Posted: March 14th

Background to Position

University of South Africa (UNISA) is a publicly dedicated distance Higher Education institution which is funded by the Department of Education and Training in South Africa. In keeping with its mandate as a Comprehensive, Open and Distance Learning (CODeL +) Institution, which offers a variety of academic and career-focused programmes. University of South Africa (UNISA) is a publicly is inviting applications for the position of Executive Dean: College of Law.

MAIN OUTPUTS AND PURPOSE FOR THIS POSITION:

To plan and provide high quality Comprehensive Open Distance e- Learning (CODeL) academic services in the field of Law (inclusive of tuition, learning, research, engaged scholarship and student support) to all clients of University of South Africa (UNISA) is a publicly, in accordance with relevant legislation and in alignment with the Institution's Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) 2016-2030 strategy

Job Description

  • KPA 1: Strategic Direction, Planning and Alignment
  • Positioning the College as a leading provider of quality distance education programmes in the field of Law through an academic product range that expands on its comprehensive character, growing accredited research, and increasing throughput.
  • Leading and directing the development and implementation of the College’s strategy and objectives in line with the Institution's Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) 2016-2030 strategy and in accordance with relevant legislation.
  • Overseeing and guiding the development and implementation of the College's operational plans and KPls in support of the function's strategy and the institution’s overall vision strategy.
  • Initiating, developing, implementing, and reviewing policies, processes and programmes related to instructional matters, partnerships, and general activities within the College.
  • Providing strategic leadership to the development of the annual performance review as is required by the Department of Higher Education Training (DHET).
  • Providing strategic direction in the College’s areas of specialisation).
  • KPA 2: Operational Leadership and Process Management
  • Providing leadership regarding all the operations of the College from an overall perspective, which include:
  • the provision of support with the management of ODeL-focussed tuition, learner support and engaged scholarship in the College through the Office: Tuition and Learning Support,
  • the strengthening of University of South Africa (UNISA) is a publicly as a leading research institution and as the leading provider of post graduate programmes in Africa through the Office: Graduate Studies and Research,
  • the effective functioning of the Institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa (IDRA),
  • the effective functioning of the Schools in the College and ultimately the College's provisioning of academic formal and short learning programmes,
  • the ensuring of high standards of excellence in all aspects of academic work through appropriate quality assurance and enhancement processes.
  • Proactively identifying, developing, and deploying new viable programmes in line with identified needs.
  • Exploring and promoting the development of multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary programmes with other Colleges, departments and
  • stakeholders within the University.
  • Driving processes for the development of innovative teaching strategies, open distance e-learning methodologies and curriculum development and evaluation.
  • Driving measures to ensure the optimum accessibility of programmes and services with available resources.
  • Overseeing the effective development of study material and guiding the development of self-study programmes.
  • Driving actions to ensure the quality and relevance of study material by reviewing the Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) and all qualifications within the framework of changes/developments in legislation and government policy requirements.
  • Monitoring the course offerings of the College and ensuring effective and efficient resource allocation and scheduling.
  • Driving actions to ensure compliance with the legislative frameworks impacting on teaching, learning and research, including the standards set by the Council of Higher Education.
  • Analysing national, international and industry trends and developments and conceptualising research and academic plans in response thereto.
  • Overseeing and actively promoting research within the College to increase NRF rated researchers and research grant holders.
  • Moving research towards multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary in order to increase collaboration and understanding of the social reality thereby enhancing the impact of research on society.
  • Promoting community engagement initiatives to the mutual benefit of communities and the university.
  • Promotingacademic leadership and citizenship through collaboration and sharing of knowledge within and outside of the University, and through membership of professional bodies.
  • Overseeing the provision of legal advice and court representation to poor and unfortunate members of the community through the Legal Aid Clinic.
  •  KPA 3: Forecasting, Budgeting and Financial Management
  • Formulating strategic forecast costs, which are factored into the Portfolio and Institutional budgeting processes.
  • Providing leadership regarding the compilation and management of the budget for the College.
  • Overseeing and monitoring the College’s expenditure within budgeted parameters and report on variances periodically.
  • Directing and overseeing the funding of operations and budgeted activities within the College
  • Overseeing and monitoring the maintenance of accurate financial records of all grants and contracts at all times, as well as the apportionment and expenditure of such funds
  • KPA 4People Management
  • Leading, mentoring and empowering employees and change within the college to promote high performance, optimal working environment, improving staff morale and cost-effective operations,
  • Guiding and influencing strategic leadership in embedding the values and desired culture of the Institution in line with the Transformation Charter and ODeL 2016-2030 Strategy.
  • Embedding sustainability through a green Institution-wide culture.
  • Driving a high-performance culture by taking accountability for an effective and well-articulated performance management proces
  • Monitoring the resourcing of the College through The recruitment and filling of positions.
  • Monitoring that all staff and tutors are trained, skilled and that their expertise is optimally applied.
  • KPA 5: Governance and Reporting
  • Monitoring and reporting on progress against functional strategic initiatives.
  • Monitoring and reporting on legislative and statutory compliance as defined by government and relevant professional bodies.
  • Promoting sound governance principles through effective planning, maintenance of operating and service standards, management of compliance and risk as well as participating in institutional governance structures.
  • Managing the strategic relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Monitoring community engagement projects and reporting status and progress on an ongoing basis.
  • Inherent Criteria

    Qualifications

    • Minimum of an LLD degree or equivalent Higher Education qualification.

    Experience

    • Minimum of 10 years' experience in Higher Education and academia of which at least 5 years in a management role.

    Application Requirement

    • A Letter of Application
    • A completed UNISA application form
    • A comprehensive CV
    • An abridged CV
    • Names and contact details for at least 3 contactable referees, one of which must be from your present employer. If currently unemployed, a contactable reference from your previous employer must be provided.
    • Certified copies of matric and degree certificates and Identity Document
    • Proof of SAQA verification of foreign qualifications,where relevant

    To apply please forward your application quoting reference number AP1040 to Genevieve Michel