Dean of Students

Dean of Students

Department: Student Life and Development

Post code: 2633

Five-year fixed-term contract

North Campus

Core purpose of job: The Division of Student Life and Development is a large and complex division providing a wide range of transformative, excellent, innovative student life, well-being and development-oriented programmes and services to students. The division is headed by the Dean of Students and reports to the Vice Chancellor.

The Dean of Students is an integral part of the University’s leadership and management team and has a co-responsibility in overseeing, driving, and advancing the strategic vision of Nelson Mandela University.

The core purpose of the post of Dean of Students is to provide integrative leadership and direction to the division of Student Life and Development in anticipation of, and response to, unpredictability and complexity occasioned by a rapidly changing political, socio-economic and Higher Education environment.

The incumbent is also expected to be agile and adaptive in facilitating and championing institution-wide systemic and transitional responses to the diverse needs informed by the changing profile of the growing University.

Key performance areas:

Provide transformative, excellent, and innovative leadership and vision by strategically directing, leading and managing the following functions in respect of Student Life and Development:

• Student Governance and Development


• Student Housing


• Student Health Services


• Madibaz Sport


• Universal Accessibility and Disability Services


• Resource Management: People, Finance, Facilities.

Core competencies:

• Change leadership and transformation


• Well-developed communication skills


• Strategic thinking


• Complex problem-solving skills


• Innovative and anticipatory skills


• Collaborative and stakeholder engagement management skills


• Influencing and negotiation skills


• People skills


• Strategic and operational financial budgeting.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree


• At least 10 – 15 years’ relevant experience including management experience.

Furthermore, it is expected that all short-listed candidates will:

• Permit to undergo verifications of qualifications, publications, credit records and criminal records as well as any other verification deemed appropriate by the University;


• Deliver a 15-minute presentation, the topic of which will be communicated timeously; and


• Provide details of at least three individuals who can provide professional references.

All shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo psychometric assessments.

Applications must be accompanied by a recent and comprehensive curriculum vitae and a covering letter stating how applicants satisfy the requirements in respect of each of the Key Performance Areas and Core Competencies, and the official Nelson Mandela University job application form.

An application that does not comply with the advert’s requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

Please lodge your application at the following address: https://vacancies.mandela.ac.za/

Direct all telephonic enquiries to Lungisani Ntiyantiya at 0415041213 or via e-mail to: [email protected]

Terms of Appointment: This is a five-year fixed-term contract, renewable based on performance and operational requirements.

Closing date for all applications: 5 April 2024

Nelson Mandela University reserves the right to not make an appointment.

In considering candidates for appointment into advertised posts, preference will be in accordance with the approved Nelson Mandela University’s Employment Equity Plan.