Job Details

  • Reference number: E240135
  • Province: Western Cape
  • Type of engagement: Permanent appointment
  • Posted: September 5th

Background to Position

How might socially-relevant and transdisciplinary research approaches, as well as reciprocal international collaborations established through a commitment to academic freedom and social justice contribute to a fair and just world? 

The University of Cape Town (UCT), a research-intensive university that is consistently acknowledged as one of the finest universities in Africa is seeking to appoint a Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) in the portfolio of Research and Internationalisation. UCT offers a diverse, vibrant and inclusive community in which to work towards achieving our Vision 2030 goals.

In this dynamic role the DVC will provide strategic direction, socially conscious and impactful leadership, and lead the evolution and growth of the research ecosystem at UCT. The DVC will also spearhead transformative research initiatives that seeks to address Africa’s and our world’s most pressing challenges; champion the work of our world-renowned researchers, drive international collaborations that place UCT at the heart of critical dialogues and work to deepen our global impact, and sustainably advance our postgraduate study programmes. 

UCT does not only want to be the best in Africa, but more importantly strives to be the best for Africa. Our impact we believe is, must and will continue to be felt and seen through the lives of generations changed for the better. 

The appointed candidate will be an exceptional and visionary academic with a proven track-record at a senior leadership level with evidence of leading large and complex teams.  The incumbent will form part of the executive group responsible for providing strategic leadership, and operational management in addition to the responsibilities shared by all DVCs, the DVC Research and Internationalisation will also be responsible for:

  • Research & innovation: profile, impact and engagement
  • Advancing UCT’s African agenda, internationalisation and research partnerships
  • Advancing postgraduate studies

Job Description

Specific responsibilities for this position include:

Responsibilities relating to UCT’s strategic goals of research excellence and internationalisation are largely intertwined. These include:

  • Improving research and innovation quality, quantity, integrity and impact and ensuring that UCT maintains or improves its pre-eminent place as a research-intensive University as also reflected in the international ranking of institutions.
  • Growing and transforming the postgraduate sector through partnerships and collaboration, joint degrees, innovative training models and the recruitment of full-degree international postgraduate students.
  • Ensuring that UCT remains a favoured destination in Africa for postdoctoral fellows and leveraging the value of this category of researcher for the research enterprise.
  • Using UCT’s research strengths and priorities to position the university within local and international university partnerships and networks. This includes positioning the University optimally in relation to international funding opportunities.
  • Advancing the University’s African agenda by enabling research collaborations through UCT as a portal to global North and global South partners.
  • Oversight of select theme-based university-wide platforms for international research engagement.
  • Oversight of all aspects of internationalisation that are not primarily research-related (such as undergraduate student mobility) – to ensure that UCT is a preferred destination for both full-degree and semester-study-abroad students; and that UCT students have ever-increasing opportunities to experience study in another country.
  • Assuring that UCT is positioned optimally within the framework/context of the National Council of Innovation and that its research addresses the needs of the country.
  • Enhancing the scope, quality and impact of engaged scholarship with an emphasis on addressing development and social justice.
  • Responsible for establishing and ensuring the effective management of grants and championing the soft-funded academic researchers (SFARS) and their contribution to the University’s research enterprise.

Inherent Criteria

Requirements for the position:

The successful candidate is expected to meet the following criteria:‍

  • A PhD degree.
  • An established research track record with NRF rating and/ or other indication of international stature, and/or appointment at the professorial level.
  • Substantial experience in a leadership role such as Dean, Deputy Dean, or Head of Department in an academic/research institution or science council.
  • Evidence of attracting grant funding, raising money for research and initiating international research collaborations, whilst having an understanding and appreciation for the global funding landscape as it applies to the higher education sector.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the operations, good governance, financial management and affairs of a university/research institution.
  • In-depth understanding of developments in the higher education arena nationally and internationally, particularly of the role of research-intensive universities as well as the importance of social responsiveness and internationalisation at all levels for such universities.
  • Demonstrable record of championing transformation in terms of promoting diversity, inclusiveness and cultural awareness, and driving institutional change.
  • Demonstrable track record of supervising postgraduate students.
  • Advanced knowledge, insight and strategic execution capabilities in the development of the innovation, technology transfer and commercialisation ecosystem.

Application Requirement

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

  • A covering letter that addresses the above criteria, including a statement on your potential contribution as DVC: Research & Internationalisation; 
  • Your full curriculum vitae; 
  • The HR204 application form for Senior Executive Posts available at:  https://forms.uct.ac.za/hr204.doc
  • Please ensure the title and reference number are indicated in the subject line. An application that 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/dvc

Candidates may make informal enquiries in confidence via email to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela, at vc@uct.ac.za or send directly to recruitment01@uct.ac.za

Telephone:                      021 650 5429                                                                    

Reference number:          E240135             

Closing date:                   07 October 2024                                                             

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.

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

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.”