The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, anchored in Africa and driven by a powerful strategy focused on attaining global excellence and stature (GES). With an emphasis on independent thinking, sustainable development, and strategic partnerships, UJ is an international university of choice. The University is guided by the Vice-Chancellors vision of Positioning UJ in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) for societal impact in the context of the changing social, political, and economic fortunes of Africa.
Job Description
Job Description:
The Academic Development Centre (ADC) strives to provide cutting edge and data informed support interventions that enables student success. This is done by providing theoretically based and practical interventions and developmental opportunities to students as well as working with Academics to reach the classroom. All student related services are equally but proportionally represented on all four UJ campuses and the ADC staff strive to provide integrated, relevant, and up-to-date growth opportunities. The incumbent will actively lead the planning and implementation of the academic literacies (reading and writing) and special project portfolios.
Responsibilities
This Senior Manager (P6) level position will report to the Director of ADC and will be responsible for strengthening the existing student success efforts at UJ as well as leading, coordinating and organising the academic literacies development (reading and writing) work across UJ as well as selected special projects. The job is that of a Head who is involved in implementation as well as leading and managing the associated team. The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Strategically and practically lead the academic literacies development work (reading and writing) on the 4 UJ campuses.
- Lead UJ with regards to innovative literacies development practices at the institution.
- Actively participate and lead the day-to-day running of the writing centres.
- Develop reading and writing development courses.
- Lead the ADC with regard to the integration blended learning into the activities of ADC and the department.
- Monitor and report on the work of this unit.
- Manage the staff and budgets associated with this unit.
- Actively liaise with Faculties and academic staff to assist with academic literacies development initiatives and special projects.
- Assist with various data informed projects within Academic Development and Support.
- Actively lead and manage the implementation of selected special projects that are managed from ADC for example Volunteer mentoring and the UJ 101 module.
- Conduct research with regards to student success related issues and coordinate the effective and creative communication of the results of this research.
- A PhD degree in a relevant field
- Eight to ten years working experience within a public Higher Education institution.
- In-depth knowledge about academic development/student success work in the South African context (academic literacies focus).
- A proven track record of blended teaching and learning design.
- A proven track record in effectively leading a team.
- A proven research record in academic development/student success work.
- A proven track record in managing an institutional project.
- The ability to manage a team
- The ability to establish the new structures and manage the associated change
- Excellent report writing skills
- The ability to work with both students and staff
- Ability to work with senior staff in Faculties and other Departments
- Innovative problem solving ability
- A sound understanding of issues faced by students entering Higher Education in South Africa
- A proven ability to communicate data using infographics
- Relevant academic publications on related topics
Enquiries regarding job content: Dr A van Zyl at Tel: (011) 559-3285
Enquiries regarding remuneration and benefits: Busisiwe Dumezweni at Tel: (011) 559-3012 (HCM Business Partner)
