Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs

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  • Full Time
  • Lusaka
  • Applications have closed

Palabana University

JOB OPPORTUNITY-DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR – ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The Council of Palabana University intends to appoint a Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs. The Council, through the Search Committee, therefore, invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for this position.

ABOUT PALABANA UNIVERSITY

Palabana University is located in the Palabana area of Chongwe District, off Leopards’ Hill Road, 40 Kilometres from Lusaka. Palabana University is a new public institution of higher education, which was established by the Ministry of Education in 2019 and started university operations in 2022. Currently, Palabana University is regulated by the Higher Education Act No.4 of 2013, as read together with the Higher Education (Amendment) Act No. 23 of 2021. The University has one School of Agricultural Sciences and runs five programmes, including bachelor’s degrees in Animal Science, Aquaculture and Fisheries Science, Agriculture with Education, and diploma programmes in Animal Science. Aquaculture and Fisheries Science. The University Council has set ambitious targets to transform the University into a leading university in Zambia

DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR-ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Job Overview

The Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs (DVC-AA) is responsible for leading and directing the overall academic transformational formulation, as well as, the effective implementation of the University’s teaching and learning strategy that is aligned to the University’s overall strategy and mandate. The Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs will endeavour to drive a teaching and learning environment that promotes newer and innovative technologies and modern pedagogic approaches that enrich learning at PALABANA UNIVERSITY.

The incumbent will also ensure existence of effective and efficient student support services conducive to student access to learning and ensuring overall academic achievement of students. The DVC-AA is expected to demonstrate success in the following broad areas: academic vision and strategy, leadership, governance, organisational management, academic management, developing an external profile, generating new sources of income and mobilizing the University community to the desired mission of the institution.

He/she must be at least a senior lecturer with an excellent track record of leadership and academic achievements, including international research experience, resource mobilisation, and coordination of academic programmes. He/she shall hold office for 4 years and may be eligible for reappointment for another term.

Key tasks and responsibilities include:

A. VISION AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF THE UNIVERSITY

  • Ability to formulate and provide institutional vision and strategic direction in a complex working environment and lead the implementation in such a way that it inspires, engages all stakeholders and ensures the participation and support of the University community
  • Provide strategic academic vision of the University, with the aim to maintain high standards across all areas of its academic activities in the context of the national policy developments and emerging issues within the higher education sector.
  • Provide innovative strategy development and make practical and sustainable choices among multiple strategic imperatives so that the University’s forward planning is both realistic and resource efficient.

B. LEADERSHIP

  • Provide leadership for a highly complex organisation with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
  • Provide an environment of adaptability and responsiveness to a fast-moving external environment, an essential requirement for a modern university.
  • Foster team building, motivation of staff and drive succession planning and leading change as appropriate. Inspiring, engaging and motivating large teams of people undertaking disparate functions to ensure that they understand and are aligned with and feel connected to common institutional objectives.

C. RESOURCE MOBILISATION AND EXTERNAL SUPPORT.

  • Develop an institutional resource mobilisation strategy to deliver significant new funding streams for the University.
  • Lead the University’s internal/external stakeholders to support the development of ventures for the benefit of the University.
  • Develop bilateral relationships with government, private sector and other lead organizations as well as working with partner universities to create national, regional, and international alliances and networks.

D. GOVERNANCE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Academic Affairs shall be responsible for planning. organising, co-ordinating and directing the academic operations of the University as directed by the University Council and in accordance with the Higher Education Act No.4 of 2013, as read together with the Higher Education (Amendment) Act No. 23 of 2021. The incumbent will be responsible for, among others, the following:

  • Ensuring formulation, implementation and review of policies and the strategies in the area of teaching and learning.
  • Providing oversight on all the teaching and learning functions of the University and ensuring effective operations of the quality assurance function.
  • Serving as Secretary to Senate and as Chairperson of the Senate Admissions Committee. Senate Quality Assurance Committee, Senate Affiliations Committee, Senate Board of Graduate Studies, Senate Distance Education Committee, and any other Senate Committees as may be assigned by the Vice Chancellor.
  • Ensuring that Schools offer market-driven academic programmes, which respond to industry, national and global markets.
  • Providing leadership in the performance management of heads of academic units and leading in building a competent, experienced and motivated workforce in the area of teaching and learning.
  • Ensuring the adequacy, appropriateness and good working order of all teaching and learning facilities of the University.
  • Leading heads of faculty in the process of budgeting and mobilisation of resources required for their operations and ensuring that resources are utilised prudently.
  • Ensuring preparation of quarterly and annual operational performance reports on the teaching and learning functions of the University.

E. Essential Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

  • Full Grade 12 school certificate or its equivalent, Bachelor’s degree from a reputable University;
  • Master’s degree from a reputable University; Earned PhD from a reputable University
  • Minimum 5 years at Senior Lecturer level,
  • Minimum of five (5) years relevant post-qualifying experience in senior academic management in higher education and/or relevant institutions;
  • A strong record of academic leadership and personal achievement in both teaching and research with a minimum H-Index of 6;
  • Strategic thinking capability with excellent and proven leadership skills;
  • Experience in financial management, investment, business, budgeting as well as short, medium- and long- term planning for organizational operations;
  • Significant publication record with experience in supervising and teaching at postgraduate level;
  • Knowledge of performance management systems for monitoring, tracking and assessing the performance of research projects/programmes of staff, schools and developing action plans for continuous improvement, and Proof of valid membership in a professional body.

F. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

  • Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to interact with colleagues and other stakeholders.
  • Knowledge in the use of technologies and information management software or similar tools for academic management
  • Training and experience in strategic planning and managing change in tertiary/higher education sector.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence and should comprise curriculum vitae, certified/validated copies of all required qualifications and such other material as the applicant may wish to submit. The CV must give full personal particulars including full names, place and date of birth, qualifications, employment and work experience, date of availability, telephone number, e-mail address, names and addresses of three professional referees. The position applied for must be clearly indicated on the applications which should be addressed to:

The Chairperson of the Search Committee

C/O Office of the Registrar

Palabana University

P. O. Box 50199,

Ridgeway,

Lusaka

Applications can be submitted either physically or electronically. Electronic submission of applications must be made through the email address shown below:Email: palabanasearch@gmail.com

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 25th April 2025.

All candidates who meet the criteria specified in this advertisement are encouraged to apply.

Palabana University is an equal opportunity Employer

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