Dean: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Job Details

• Expires 28 June 0 days left to apply

• Reference number: LSW00/108/0524
• Province: Western Cape
• Type of engagement: Permanent appointment
• Posted: June 10th

Background to Position

Stellenbosch University (SU) is a research-intensive university where we attract outstanding students, employ talented staff, and provide a world-class environment; a place connected to the world while enriching and transforming local, continental, and global communities. 

Stellenbosch University’s strategic positioning, as articulated in the Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework 2019-2024 (see: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/about-us/strategic-documents), is anchored in providing a transformative student experience, promoting networked and collaborative teaching and learning, research for impact, purposeful partnerships, and inclusive networks, being the employer of choice and cultivating a thriving university.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) consists of 18 academic departments and 14 research and service centres that offer discipline-specific and interdisciplinary programmes in three primary focus areas, namely Languages, Social Sciences, and Arts. In offering varied programmes, we strive to produce graduates who are knowledgeable and critical thinkers, and to produce engaged citizens capable of making exceptional contributions to the cultural enrichment and knowledge requirements in South Africa, Africa and global communities in the 21st century.

Job Description

Duties:

• Responsible for the overall executive management, as well as for providing visionary leadership aligned with the institutional strategy;
• Guiding the Faculty in the areas of teaching and learning, research, innovation and social impact, in collaboration with other deans and vice-deans of the Faculty concerned;
• Accepting responsibility for and overseeing the financial management of the Faculty, and managing resources, including facilities;
• Providing leadership and management with regards to all student and staff matters;
• Taking full responsibility for and driving the Faculty’s transformation agenda promoting diversity within the Faculty;
• Taking initiative for and managing marketing, student recruitment and fundraising within the Faculty;
• Promoting the unlocking of research funding opportunities;
• Promoting interdisciplinary excellence and transdisciplinary research with different research entities;
• Promoting research excellence, research translation, establishing of Chairs (funded through national, international and industry instruments), and supporting recruitment and the retention of talent as part of research capacity building;
• Liaising externally to establish and maintain multi-level partnerships and collaborations with, inter alia, other academic and educational institutions and role players (nationally and internationally), including student organisations, to enhance the Faculty’s academic reputation and reach;
• Sharing the responsibility for leadership and management of the University as a whole.

Inherent Criteria

Requirements: 

• Eligible for appointment as professor, preferably in an academic department within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences;
• Recognised national and international academic standing within the Arts and Social Sciences academic landscape;
• Proven experience within a research-intensive higher education environment;
• Experience in governance and people management;
• Appropriate senior management experience at Faculty and institutional level;
• A track record of promoting diversity and transformation, including the ability to function in a multicultural and multilingual environment;
• Evidence of recognised national and international networks, including experience in developing international partnerships;
• Evidence of innovative, compassionate, inclusive and dynamic leadership;
• Sound knowledge, insight and vision about the higher education sector and research funding landscape;
• Sound interpersonal relations and communication skills.

Recommendations:

• At least three years’ experience at senior management level;
• Evidence of the promotion of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research;
• Experience in research fundraising.

Term of appointment: Five years with the possibility of reappointment for another term

Application Requirement

Commencement of duties: 

01 January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter

Closing date:

28 June 2024

Enquiries regarding this post: Mr. Andisa Dlakavu on 021 808 4594, or at andisa@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 

Completed applications, comprising the documentation as set out below, must be sent via email to adsmanager@sun.ac.za

before the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Documentation details (PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR APPLICATION INCLUDES ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW): 

• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae.
• A document in which candidates outline their vision of the Faculty’s future, as well as their contribution to such a future in the context of the University's Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework 2019-2024. 
• Details regarding present occupation, remuneration package and citizenship.
• An indication of the earliest date on which duties can be assumed. 
• Certified copies of certificates.
• Details of at least three referees.

Stellenbosch University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the EE plan for the specific environment as well as the institutional EE Plan of the University.The University reserves the right not to make an appointment.At the discretion of the Selection Committee, candidates may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selection instruments and should therefore be willing to oblige.The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.The University reserves the right to extend the closing date if deemed appropriate.

About Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) is home to an academic community of 29 000 students (including 4 000 foreign students from 100 countries) as well as 3 000 permanent staff members (including 1 000 academics) on five campuses. ​The historical oak-lined university town amongst the Boland Mountains in the winelands of the Western Cape creates a unique campus atmosphere, which attracts local and foreign students alike. On the main campus, paved walkways wind between campus buildings – some dating from previous centuries; others just a few years old. Architecture from various eras attests to the sound academic foundation and establishment of an institution of excellence. This, together with the scenic beauty of the area; state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facilities and technology, as well as visionary thinking about the creation of a sustainable 21st-century institution, makes for the unique character of Stellenbosch University.