Academic Head of Department (contract appointment: 5 years with the possibility of reappointmen

• financial planning;
• financial control.

job title

academic head of department (contract appointment: 5 years with the possibility of reappointment for a further term): department of practical and missional theology (job )

organizational unit

university of the free state > faculty of theology and religion > department practical and missional theology

contract type

contract

occupational level

temporary

location

bloemfontein campus - bloemfontein, fs za (primary)

closing date

18/8/2026

please note that only full-time permanent academic personnel from the department of practical and missional theology at the ufs will be considered for this post.

• 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  passport for foreign nationals).

• provide academic leadership by creating and executing strategies to establish the department as a leader in the field of philosophy.
• the ahd is directly responsible for:
• directing the academic debate in the department;
• influencing the department's overall climate and culture;
• energising everybody in the department and beyond; and
• shaping the future of the department.
• contribute to the overall leadership in the faculty.
• responsible for 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 collaboration among staff.
• responsible for effective internal and external communication.
• the ahd is pivotal in linking the department'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 department 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 department that is aligned with and supportive of the guiding strategic documents of the ufs and faculty.
• ensure –
• the provision of top-quality, research-informed facilitation of learning at all levels of teaching in the department;
• relevance of content, material and presentation in all modules;
• the enhancement of student experiences and their continuous engagement in academic debates;
• that adequate rules and regulations are in place to optimally deliver high-quality teaching and learning programmes on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels;
• adherence to all the rules and regulations of the ufs, faculty and department;
• quality and timely feedback on student work;
• proper and quality-driven academic advice and support to all under- and postgraduate students in the department; and
• the revisiting and development of fresh learning programmes that will help to position the department as a leader in its field.
• create and maintain a(n) –
• visionary research strategy for the department; and
• environment that encourages research, leading to strong and active research habits and a culture of inquiry.
• ensure that –
• every academic staff member is engaged in quality-driven and discipline-specific research;
• postgraduate students are recruited to broaden the research base of the department; and
• ethical requirements are met.
• guide and support senior academics towards acquiring nrf ratings.
• engage actively with the faculty research committee and the ufs directorate of research development in order to ensure sustainable financial support for departmental research initiatives.
• build an effective team of scholars through:
• planning and implementing a fair and reasonable dispensation regarding the workload of staff members in the department;
• planning and implementing a clear and reasonable career path for every staff member in the department, taking account of the strategic plans of the university, faculty and department;
• appr…