Director Contract appointment: 5 years with the possibility of reappointment for a further term)

Organizational Unit University of the Free State -> Faculty of Humanities -> Centre for Gender and Africa Studies Contract Type Contract Occupational Level Temporary Location Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date 16/7/2026 Description PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY FULL-TIME PERMANENT ACADEMIC STAFF FROM THE CENTRE FOR GENDER AND AFRICA STUDIES AT THE UFS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide academic leadership by creating and executing strategies to establish the centre as a leader in the discipline vis-à-vis competing international entities.
• The Director is directly responsible for:

o directing the academic debate in the centre;

o influencing the centre’s overall climate and culture;

o energising everybody in the centre and beyond; and

o shaping the future of the centre.

• Contribute to the overall leadership in the faculty.
• Frequent and continuous planning and execution of plans, general organising and coordinating of staff, students and activities, mentoring and motivating staff, structuring, and exercising overall control.
• Create an atmosphere of consensus among staff.
• Effective internal and external communication.
• The Director is pivotal in linking the centre’s staff and students with the University's management and administration through communication, negotiation and consultation.
• Active participation and involvement in faculty management structures, attending meetings, leading project teams, representing the centre and faculty, and fulfilling the roles of liaison officer and marketer, when necessary.
• Active participation and involvement in applicable UFS management structures, e.g. Senate.
• Initiate, formulate and implement a visionary academic strategy for the centre that is aligned with and supportive of the guiding strategic documents of the UFS and faculty.
• Ensure –

o the provision of top-quality, research-informed facilitation of learning at all levels of teaching in the centre unit;

o relevance of content, material and presentation in all modules;

o the enhancement of student experiences and their continuous engagement in academic debates;

o that adequate rules and regulations are in place to optimally deliver high-quality teaching and learning programmes on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels;

o adherence to all the rules and regulations of the UFS, faculty and centre;

o quality and timely feedback on student work;

o oversee proper and quality-driven academic advice and support to all under- and postgraduate students in the centre; and

o in partnership with the Programme Director, the revisiting and development of fresh learning programmes that will help to position the centre as a leader in the fraternity.

• Create and maintain a(n) –

o visionary research strategy for the centre; and

o environment that encourages research, leading to strong and active research habits and a culture of inquiry.

• Ensure that –

o every academic staff member is engaged in quality-driven and discipline-specific research;

o postgraduate students are recruited to broaden the research base of the centre; and

o ethical requirements are met.

• Guide and support senior academics towards acquiring NRF ratings.
• Active engagement with the faculty research committee and the UFS Directorate of Research Development in order to ensure sustainable financial support for centre research initiatives.
• Build an effective team of scholars through:

o planning and implementing a fair and reasonable dispensation regarding the workload of staff members in the centre;

o planning and implementing a clear and reasonable career path for every staff member in the centre, taking account of the strategic plans of the University, faculty and centre;

o appropriate mentoring interventions where and whenever it is needed;

o managing staff performance in accordance with existing university policies and procedures;

o recruitment and selection of scholars in the case of vacancies and/or specific strategic needs, whenever strategic repositioning requires expansion of academic endeavours;

o creating and maintaining a scholarship-friendly environment in the centre; and

o planning and overseeing effective and relevant staff development.

• The ultimate responsibility in terms of financial management culminates in:

o annual budgeting;

o financial planning;

o allocation of funds; and

o financial control;

o adherence to the UFS's financial policies and procedures.

• Be involved in fundraising and encourage and actively support academic staff members to apply for external research and other grants.
• Engage in knowledge exchange and co-operation with academic institutions with an African and/or Gender Studies focus within the continent and internationally.
• Actively promote engagement with stakeholders in the local community.
• Participate in the deepening of the University's Africa and Gender foci through promoting a greater involvement of Africa and Gender aware knowledge content in curricula at faculty and institutional levels.

Inherent requirements:

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in a field related to Gender and Africa Studies.
• Appointment in the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State as a full-time, permanent Associate Professor/Professor.

Recommendations:

• Proven record of independent research and teaching.
• Proven fundraising record
• Proven institutional service record

Competencies Required competencies:

• Results Orientated:
• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

• Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

• Leading:

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.

• Building Coalitions:

• The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties:

1 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

Closing date:

16 July 2026

Term of office concerning the Director of the Centre

Five years, with a possibility of reappointment for a further term based on performance.

Allowance:

An allowance is payable, which is calculated according to a transparent formula approved by the relevant decision-making structures of the UFS. The value of the allowance is available on request.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact me at 051 401