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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 ID 6560)
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
Description
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.
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 department as a leader in the field of philosophy.
• The AHD is directly responsible for:
o Directing the academic debate in the department;
o Influencing the department’s overall climate and culture;
o Energising everybody in the department and beyond; and
o 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 –
o The provision of top-quality, research-informed facilitation of learning at all levels of teaching in the department;
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 department;
o Quality and timely feedback on student work;
o Proper and quality-driven academic advice and support to all under- and postgraduate students in the department; and
o 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) –
o Visionary research strategy for the department; 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 department; and
o 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:
o Planning and implementing a fair and reasonable dispensation regarding the workload of staff members in the department;
o 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;
o Appropriate mentoring interventions where and whenever 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 department; and
o Planning and overseeing effective and relevant staff development.
• Responsible for the ultimate responsibility in terms of financial management which 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.
• Encourage and actively support academic staff members to apply for external research and other grants.
Inherent Job Requirements:
• PhD on NQF Level 10 in Practical and/ or Missional Theology or related field.
• Appointment in the Department of Practical and Missional Theology, University of the Free State as a full-time, permanent Associate Professor or higher.
Competencies
Key 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 January 2027
Closing date:
18 August 2026
Allowance:
The AHD allowance 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 9813 or email at PhokaR@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979/ 2558 for assistance.
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.