2 Student Learning jobs in South Africa

Vice Principal: Teaching, Learning, Community Engagement and Student Support (5 Year – Fixed Term)

• Vice Principal: Teaching, Learning, Community Engagement and Student Support (5 Year – Fixed Term)

The unitalentza website was launched out of necessity. It is a direct off-shoot of Academic Partners , the pre-eminent talent accessing and assessing service company within the South African Higher Education sector. A company that started 44 years ago in the commercial sector, but which in the last 26 years, has focused almost exclusively in the HE sector. Having founded the company, Jimmy Wayland took retirement in May 2022, but as a swansong objective, he undertook to develop Unitalentza website to uphold the same values, levels of confidentiality, trust and reliability as the founding company. Anything less and Jimmy would like to hear about it.

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In his quest to achieve the best website possible, Jimmy is ready to receive comments and/or suggestions, negative or positive, on his personal email:

LOCATION: PRETORIA

The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) institution in Africa and the longest comprehensive standing dedicated distance education university in the world, nurturing aspirant leaders of tomorrow and motivating a future generation through knowledge development, research, community engagement (engaged scholarship) and innovation.

UNISA offers an unparalleled range of study choices in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and research. As part of Unisa’s commitment to continuous life-long learning, and attention to the constant shifts in industrialization systems and shifts in the knowledge arena, Unisa offers a range of short courses, certificates, diplomas and degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate levels including Masters and Doctoral degrees. In recognition of its innovations in comprehensive open e-learning and distance education, with equally a strong focus on research and innovation, Unisa is recognized as one of the best universities nationally and globally. Unisa has equally produced some of the leading, if not influential alumni in varied sectors of the economy, including two Presidents of South Africa.

About the role:

UNISA is committed to providing the best teaching and learning, research, development, and innovation and engaged scholarship environments for its students. It is equally committed to promoting access and success for its students through vibrant qualification frameworks at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and as such, prioritises academic excellence, research, and social responsiveness through knowledge impact as important imperatives. Key to the advancement of the core academic and university missional mandate is the transformation philosophy underpinned by, inter alia, an emphasis on Africanization, decolonization, decoloniality, and centering endogenous /indigenous knowledge systems, Africa’s knowledge systems, civilizations, philosophies, pedagogies, epistemologies and social justice, whilst also embracing proficiency and deep insight and research of other knowledge systems. This position therefore requires an astute academic and leader who not only possesses vast experience as an academic but also has the gravitas and “hands on” experience as an academic leader with the capacity to inculcate these values in all our academic endeavours, including accelerating the 10 Catalytic Niche Areas.

Creation of knowledge and the formation of undergraduate and post graduate students as critical citizens and contributors in the local and global knowledge arena is also key to the work of this portfolio. This position is responsible for eight (8) colleges, two (2) schools, namely, the Graduate School of Business Leadership and the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs and 26 Regional Centres. The portfolio also oversees the five distinctive areas, which entail, community engagement / engaged scholarship, academic programme approval, accreditation and registration services, tuition support and facilitation of learning, teaching and student support and promoting a culture of lifelong learning. These functions provide Primary Academic Support to the whole institution. Equally, the portfolio is fundamental to providing inputs into Unisa’s overall strategy and a focus on accelerating the shift towards becoming a leading Comprehensive Open Distance e-Learning institution harnessing the full benefits provided by the 4th industrial revolution (4IR). The incumbent of this position must have a clear understanding of 4IR and its implications for teaching and learning and engaged scholarship in the changing higher education and global knowledge landscapes.

It is expected that the incumbent and portfolio will provide strategic direction and managerial leadership aligned to the institutional vision, advice and support pertaining to teaching, learning, community engagement (engaged scholarship) and student learning support. The incumbent must strive to ensure that Unisa becomes a leading CODeL university that develops and provides wide-ranging, flexible and technology enhanced programmes within a strong quality assurance framework for accreditation and related matters in a South African and global context. Taking cognisance of the comprehensive nature of our institution and the changing student profile, the incumbent must develop responsive and student-centered strategies including the development of internship models to produce sought after graduates who have the attributes, discipline, knowledge, and competencies to contribute ethically and creatively to their local, continental and global contexts.

The position is to further ensure a quality undergraduate experience achieved through the strategic alignment and synergies between academic colleges, curriculum development, tuition, the professional development of academic staff, tuition support and student support, and assessment in a technology enhanced CODeL environment.

• A full professor with a minimum of 10 years relevant management experience in Higher Education institutions with at least 5 years at an executive management level.
• NRF-rated or globally acclaimed scholar will be highly recommended.
• Knowledge of local accreditation systems is a minimum requirement and global accreditation systems is recommended.

Knowledge and skills

Distinguished academic with a sound-track record as a researcher and academic leader and expert knowledge of teaching and learning:

• Strategic leadership
• Academic excellence
• Culture / Change management
• Sound knowledge in Universal Design for learning and proven experience in curriculum development and transformation
• Proficient knowledge and insight into challenges facing higher education, specifically with regard to comprehensive open distance and e-learning (CODeL)
• Demonstrable commitment to and record of transformation in the academic environment
• Communication
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Results oriented
• Innovation and creativity
• Rules orientation
• Problem-solving
• Analytical skills
• Resilience
• Conflict management
• Corporate governance
• Project management
• Budgeting and Financial Management,
• Performance management
• Politically savvy
• Knowledge of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) laws and other relevant regulations applicable to higher education institutions.

• A detailed cover letter indicating your suitability for the position.
• Names and contact details for at least 3 referees.
• Certified copies of matric and degree certificates and Identity Document. Proof of SAQA verification of foreign qualifications, where relevant.

The position is open to all including people with disabilities. UNISA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

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