Palabana University
JOB OPPORTUNITY – VICE CHANCELLOR
The Council of Palabana University intends to appoint a Vice Chancellor. The Council, through the Search Committee, therefore, invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the inaugural position of Vice Chancellor.
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.
Job Overview
VICE CHANCELLOR
The role of the Vice Chancellor is to provide the strategic vision and leadership required to ensure the prosperity and success of Palabana University. The Vice Chancellor must be able to build upon its historical and current strengths to ensure that the institution shall be one of the leading Universities whilst making valuable contributions to the nation’s economy and society in general.
The Vice Chancellor should be a strategic thinker, leader and a visionary to grow the University in quality and contribution to society; lead change management and must have a proven record of accomplishment as an academic leader who creates successful teams that generate measurable outcomes with visible societal impact.
He/she must be at least an associate professor with an excellent record of accomplishment of leadership and academic achievements, including high level international research experience, resource mobilization and coordination of academic programmes.
The Vice Chancellor will be responsible for, and will be expected to demonstrate, success in the following broad areas: clear vision and strategy, leadership, governance, organisational management, academic management, developing an external profile, creating new sources of income and mobilizing the University community to the desired mission of the institution.
He/she shall hold office for 5 years and may be eligible for reappointment for another term.
Key tasks and responsibilities include:
A. VISION AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF THE UNIVERSITY
- Provide institutional vision and strategic direction in a complex working environment, and to lead the implementation in such a way that it inspires, engages all stakeholders and ensure the participation and support of the University community.
- Provide strategic academic vision of the University, aimed at maintaining 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 to 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 the University with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- Provide an environment of adaptability and responsiveness to a fast-moving external environment, an essential requirement of 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 Chairperson of the University Council, the Vice Chancellor shall be responsible for planning, organising, coordinating and directing the 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:
- Overseeing the formulation, implementation and review of all University Policies and the Strategic Plan.
- Overseeing the operations of the University in all its core functions of teaching, research and community service, and ensuring effective risk management.
- Serving as Chairperson of the Palabana University Senate, Procurement Committee, Executive Management Committee and any other appropriate management committees.
- Presiding over employee performance management and leading in building a competent, experienced and motivated workforce.
- Ensuring that the operations of the University comply with all the University Policies and applicable national laws.
- Overseeing the process of budgeting and leading in the mobilisation of resources required for the operations of the University and ensuring that resources are utilised prudently.
- Presiding over graduation ceremonies of the University, in the absence of the Chancell or
- Fostering high value linkages and managing all stakeholders.
- Representing the University at various local and international fora.
- Ensuring the preparation of quarterly and annual operational performance reports and submitting the same to the University Council.
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
- Must be at least an Associate Professor;
- Minimum of eight (8) years relevant post-qualifying experience in university education or equivalent institutions;
- A distinguished track record of successful senior management experience in higher education or relevant Institutions for a minimum of eight (8) years,
- A strong record of academic leadership and personal achievement in both teaching and research with a minimum H-Index of 8;
- 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
- Knowledge of performance management systems for monitoring, tracking and assessing the performance of research projects/programmes of staff, schools/faculties, 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.
- Prior success in managing postgraduate programmes.
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applications will be treated in strictest confidence and should comprise curriculum vitae (CV), 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