Log In
Sign Up
Job Title
Deputy-Dean: Research, Internationalisation and Postgraduate Studies (contract appointment: Five (5) years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term) (Job ID: 6569)
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Faculty of Education -> Office of the Dean: Faculty of Education
Contract Type
Contract
Occupational Level
Middle Management
Location
Bloemfontein Campus – Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)
Closing Date
21/8/2026
Description
KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. 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 here:
• 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).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).
• A brief statement of intent or vision for the position of Deputy-Dean (Research, Internationalisation and Postgraduate Studies (Maximum 2 pages)
Duties and responsibilities
• Provide formal teaching for undergraduate and post-graduate programmes in the Faculty of Education.
• Act as a supervisor for postgraduate students in the relevant field.
• Engage in the Work Integrated Learning Programme of the faculty (Teaching Practice).
• Ensure active involvement in research in a relevant field of Education and publish research articles in accredited national and international journals.
• Active involvement in curriculum development relating to the relevant field of Education.
• Apply for external funding grants for research and/or teaching and learning projects.
• Mentor and support junior colleagues in the Faculty of Education.
• Contribute to leadership and administrative tasks in the faculty.
• Drive innovation efforts aligned to research-aligned domains
• Drive multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary research recognising that innovation, internationalisation are at the heart of teaching, learning, and research.
• Identify and develop current and future research flagships of the faculty.
• Participate and strive for excellence in all aspects of the core business of the faculty, but with specific reference to postgraduate studies, research and innovation.
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean to provide effective and appropriate academic direction and to develop and implement the strategic mission of the faculty within the broader University context.
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean to ensure the maintenance of all academic standards for postgraduate programmes in the faculty.
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean to provide effective and appropriate research direction and to develop and implement the strategic mission of the faculty, within the broader university context, with a focus on postgraduate studies and research.
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean in the management of postgraduate student-related matters.
• Support the Dean in obtaining networks, partnerships, and new growth and innovation opportunities.
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean for securing strategic collaboration and third-stream income relating to postgraduate bursaries and research.
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean to oversee the financial management and financial sustainability of research and postgraduate activities of the faculty.
• Provide leadership on the quality assurance of the postgraduate programme offerings on different sites and the need to shift from competition to collaboration, coherence, and regulation.
• Provide research-driven leadership in the faculty in relation to Research, Innovation, and Postgraduate Studies.
• Participate in teaching, research, and engaged scholarship.
• Chair the Research Committee of the faculty.
• Chair the Higher Degrees Committee of the Faculty
• Participate in committees both at the faculty and university level.
• Act as Dean and report to the Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellor and Principal when the Dean is absent.
Inherent Job Requirements
• A Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in any relevant field of Education.
• Five years of experience at a management level (i.e., head of department/school/centre/unit).
• Proven experience with supervision of master’s and PhD students.
• Experience as an external examiner for postgraduate students.
• Proven evidence of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven record of research grant applications, management, and experience in third-stream income generation.
• Superior knowledge of research methodology, postgraduate student support, and management of postgraduate programmes and processes
• Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a particular area of academic scholarship (e.g., regularly serves as a reviewer for international/ISI/IBSS journals).
• An NRF rating or potential for rating.
• Proven experience in co-leading or leading one or more collaborative research projects in the past 5-years.
• Eligible for appointment as an Associate or full Professor at the University of the Free State.
Recommendations
• Established leadership and team-building capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate, collaborate, communicate, and facilitate in complex environments.
• Analytical problem-solving skills with impeccable attention to detail.
• Ability to set an overall research and innovation strategy and drive process improvement.
• Established research leadership and research team-building capacity.
Competencies
Key Competencies Required:
• Results-oriented:
– The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
– The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable, and to fulfill obligations.
• 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 and other relevant software programmes and platforms.
• Leading:
– The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy, and enthusiasm.
– The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude, and encourage people to work together.
• Building coalitions
– The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
– The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration, and working with close supervision.
Assumption of duties:
01 October 2026 or as soon as possible on a date mutually agreed upon by the University and the successful candidate.
Closing date:
21 August 2026
Salary:
The salary is available on request and will be commensurate with the responsibilities attached to the position.
Enquiries:
For enquiries, please contact 051 401 9329 or email VermaakM@ufs.ac.za / 051 401 9848 or email TeateaPR@ufs.ac.za.
General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf
The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.
The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.