Job Details
- Expires 7 July 0 days left to apply
- Reference number: TS/186/0623
- Province: Western Cape
- Type of engagement: Permanent appointment
- Posted: June 27th
Background to Position
Stellenbosch University
Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement
Language Centre
Head: Academic and Professional Literacies (Job Level 7)
Ref. TS/186/0623
The Stellenbosch University Language Centre is one of four centres within the Division of Learning and Teaching Enhancement. The Centre's mandate is to promote multilingualism and to provide language-related support and services to Stellenbosch University staff and students, as well as to external clients.
The advertised position falls under the focus area of Academic and Professional Literacies within the Language Centre. The aim of the Centre's courses in academic and professional literacies is to further develop the reading, writing and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in an academic environment. Students can apply these competencies to their field of study and in their future professional career. One of the key activities of Academic and Professional Literacies is the promotion of a multilingual mindset (https://languagecentre.sun.ac.za/about/a-multilingual-mindset/).
Job Description
Duties:
- Serving on the Language Centre (LC) Management Committee;
- Taking responsibility for the strategic alignment of academic and professional literacies courses with the strategic goals of the LC, the Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement, and the University;
- Promoting multilingualism and a multilingual mindset in all academic and professional literacies courses;
- Overseeing the finances for academic and professional literacies courses, including strategic oversight of day-to-day financial administration and annual budgeting for the focus area;
- Ensuring quality teaching within the focus area, by, among other things, reflecting on student feedback, moderating internal courses and observing lectures;
- Liaising with Faculties (lecturers, faculty management, students) about issues pertaining to credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing courses, in conjunction with the LC Director and/or Senior Director, as required;
- Managing staff members regarding task descriptions, work agreements, workload and replacement lecturers, mentoring and professional learning opportunities, individual personal development plans, performance evaluations, leave arrangements and wellness;
- Managing the informal recruitment, monthly payment and monitoring of ad hoc teaching staff and/or suppliers;
- Raising awareness of academic and professional literacies offerings within SU by ensuring efficient reporting;
- Improving sustainability by ensuring that new training possibilities be explored and existing courses be profiled more visibly;
- Presenting academic and professional literacies modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels as required;
- Presenting ad hoc workshops and short courses on academic and professional literacies to undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as external clients as required;
- Ensuring that staff develop course material that is driven by innovative and appropriate teaching techniques and includes blended-learning materials that creates interest, understanding and enthusiasm amongst students;
- Regularly reviewing and refining syllabus and course material, tests and other assessments;
- Performing context-specific research to inform best practice in teaching and learning, academic and professional literacies, and related fields.
Inherent Criteria
Job Requirements:
- An appropriate master's degree in applied linguistics, second language acquisition, or related fields;
- At least three years' teaching experience in the higher education environment, specifically in academic and professional literacies;
- Experience of curriculum development and assessment protocols;
- Experience leading a small team;
- Experience of staff management, including work agreements, performance evaluation and staff development;
- Experience of day-to-day financial administration and annual budgeting;
- Highly developed organisational skills and the ability to work in a complex academic environment;
- Experience of blended learning and of developing e-learning material;
- The ability to manage time efficiently and work to strict deadlines;
- Evidence of excellent teaching abilities and fostering a positive learning environment;
- Computer literacy in MS Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams);
- Excellent interpersonal skills, as well as verbal and written communication skills.
Shortlisted candidates must be willing to give a PowerPoint presentation on their vision for the Academic and Professional Literacies focus area.
Recommendations:
- A PhD or enrolment for a PhD;
- Commitment to continuous professional development;
- Knowledge of Stellenbosch University’s learning management system (Moodle);
- Evidence of accredited publications on academic literacies, second language acquisition and / or related fields.
Application Requirement
Enquiries regarding this post: Alta van Rensburg on 021 808 2231, or at avrens@sun.ac.za
Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits, as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753, or at sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za
Commencement Date: 1 August 2023
Closing Date: 7 July 2023
Stellenbosch University is committed to employment equity (EE). In accordance with the institutional EE Plan of the University and that of the specific environment, only South African citizens from the designated groups will be considered for appointment.
Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three referees), must reach the University before or on the closing date of the advertised post.
APPLY ONLINE AT https://www.sun.ac.za/english/careers BY USING THE APPLY NOW LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT-HAND CORNER OF THE SPECIFIC VACANCY PAGE
The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.
Should no feedback be received from the University within four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application did not succeed.
