Job Details

  • Reference number: E230163
  • Province: Western Cape
  • Type of engagement: Permanent appointment
  • Posted: April 19th

Background to Position

The University of Cape Town is a leading South African university with three core pillars of Excellence, Transformation and Sustainability, as articulated in UCT’s Vision 2030.

The University of Cape Town seeks to appoint a Dean of the Faculty of Science. The faculty is home to cutting-edge and impactful research, offers strong teaching programmes to a diverse student body, and is recognised nationally and internationally as a major contributor to the development and transformation of science for society. Working with other African universities and leading academic institutions around the world, the Faculty’s mission is to use its location in the southern tip of Africa to unleash human potential to tackle the global challenges of our time.

UCT thus seeks to appoint a Dean with a distinguished scientific scholarly record, unquestionable integrity, exceptional management and leadership skills, a track record of transformation and who will advance its recognition, reputation and influence, both regionally and globally, in line with Vision 2030.

Job Description

On appointment, the Dean of the Faculty of Science is expected to:

  • Lead the development of a shared faculty vision and medium-term strategy;
  • Deliver excellence in academic administration through proactive management and innovation;
  • Enhance the Faculty’s globally-recognized expertise in teaching and research and social responsiveness;
  • Promote collaboration within, between and across scholarly disciplines;
  • Attract top academics and students with exceptional potential from South Africa, the rest of Afrika and the broader global community;
  • Improve student experiences and conditions for throughput in the context of a transforming University;
  • Inspire, retain and support staff;
  • Intensify our global interface with other universities and research centres by leveraging our participation in international and African partnerships;
  • Safeguard the financial, reputational and environmental sustainability of the Faculty;  
  • Actively represent the Science Faculty as a member of the senior leadership team of the University.

Inherent Criteria

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate the following:

  • An excellent track record of efficient academic administration for at least 5 years, including a substantive appointment as a Science Faculty Dean, Deputy Dean, Head of Department or equivalent position;
  • An in-depth understanding of the university governance, rules and regulations;
  • Leadership, integrity and the ability to inspire and innovate;
  • A clearly articulated strategic vision for the Faculty of Science;
  • Experience in developing international research partnerships;
  • A track record of sustainable financial management;
  • An understanding of the social, political and economic environments in which South African universities operate;
  • An active commitment to social responsiveness, transformation and inclusiveness;
  • Fundraising experience and expertise;
  • An academic track record appropriate for appointment at professorial level within the Faculty of Science including:
  1. An excellent track record of teaching undergraduate students and graduating Master’s and PhD students;
  2. A distinguished record of research and teaching in a scientific discipline represented within the Faculty.

Remuneration will be appropriate to the senior management level and includes sabbatical and staff tuition rate benefits.  The initial term of appointment of a Dean is for five years and there is a maximum limit of one contract renewal, subject to performance assessment. On conclusion of the term of office as dean, the appointee may be offered a permanent position in the appropriate academic department. 

Application Requirement

To apply, please e-mail the below documents (ideally in a single pdf file) to Mr Craig Alexander at recruitment01@uct.ac.za

  • A covering letter which addresses the above criteria, including a statement on your potential contribution as Dean;
  • Your full curriculum vitae with the names and contact details of three referees;   
  • The HR204 application form for Senior Executive Posts available at: http://forms.uct.ac.za/hr204.doc.

Please ensure that the title and reference number of the advertisement are indicated in the subject line. An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

Shortlisted candidates may be requested to provide further documentation on their candidacy.

Appointment procedures are available at http://www.hr.uct.ac.za/hr/recruitment/exec_appointments/deans

Telephone:  +27 21 650 5429 Website: www.science.uct.ac.za

Reference number: E230163 Closing date: 14 May 2023

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date if deemed necessary or to make no appointment. 

UCT 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. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf

About University of Cape Town

“UCT is a community of exceptionally talented students, teachers and researchers – and a wide range of professional, administrative support and service staff – all of whom are committed to help change this world for the better. We encourage one another to work hard, not only to earn degrees or public recognition, but also to be leaders in this increasingly changing world. Our vision is to be an inclusive, research-intensive African university that addresses the challenges of our time with cutting-edge teaching, research and facilities. As a university we are committed to promoting transformation, to working tirelessly to guarantee the sustainability of our institution, and to ensuring excellence in all we do.”