PRO-VICE CHANCELLOR, ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, the Pro Vice Chancellor will be responsible for

initiating, recommending, implementing and monitoring policies, systems and

procedures dealing with the Academic and related issues of the University. The

position therefore calls for a competent, versatile, and focused individual who

can provide critical leadership in championing implementation of the

University Strategic Plan.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The terms of reference for the Pro-Vice Chancellor are hinged on the duties and

powers of a Pro-Vice Chancellor as spelt out in Section 9 (2) of the University of

Zimbabwe Act (Chapter 25:16), and informed by the institution’s current

strategic objectives drawing inspiration from the national vision and

development objectives.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

1. Developing policy and institutional frameworks for successful

implementation of a programmatic approach to University academic

business as an underpinning for ‘Education 5.0’;

2. Coordinating academic and co-curricular programmes and activities

among faculties, institutes, and associate/affiliate colleges for seamless

implementation of the University’s strategic plan, with a central thrust to

provide effective solutions to problems and challenges faced by industry,

commerce and society at different scales;

3. Developing and implementing mechanisms for fostering heritage-based

and inclusive education within and across faculties and institutes, in the

context of the University’s programmatic approach;

4. Providing leadership in the development, implementation, monitoring

and review of policies, systems and procedures dealing with academic

issues of the University;

5. Overseeing academic planning, curriculum development and review of

teaching and learning programmes in pursuance of the strategic

objectives of the University;

6. Developing policy frameworks and strategies for delivery of cross-faculty

foundational courses for undergraduate and post-graduate academic

programmes;

7. Receiving, analyzing and synthesizing quality assurance reports from the

Directorate of Quality Assurance and Professional Development to make

recommendations to the Vice Chancellor;

8. Coordinating and supervising implementation of the national

qualifications and academic promotions frameworks by University

faculties and institutes as provided for by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Higher

and Tertiary Education Innovation Science and Technology

Development;

9. Performing specific executive roles as may be assigned by the Vice

Chancellor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate should be a leading academic, preferably at Associate

Professor or Full Professor and exhibiting high level of academic and

professional maturity, hardworking and with ability to pay attention to detail

among other desirable attributes. He/she should also have excellent written

and oral communication skills and good leadership skills. The candidate should

have, among other attributes:

i. An earned PhD/DPhil Degree from a recognized University

ii. An excellent record of teaching and research experience at University

level;

iii. Relevant administrative and professional development experience

working with diverse stakeholders in academia;

iv. An excellent record of resource mobilization and fund-raising;

v. Track record of success in collaborative research and academic

partnerships, and ‘putting research into use’;

vi. A record of serving on University Committees;

vii. A proven record of published scholarship as well as on providing

academic mentorship;

viii. Commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

DESIRED COMPETENCIES

i. Clear knowledge of the national socio-economic development

objectives and aspirations for Zimbabwe;

ii. In-depth understanding of Zimbabwe’s development problems in the

context of Africa and Global development challenges;

iii. Knowledge of University academic regulations and processes,

including quality assurance issues;

iv. Ability to clearly articulate the transformative role of higher and

tertiary education institutions in Zimbabwe’s development;

v. Clear understanding of Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 in the context of the

Modernisation and Industrialisation National agenda;

vi. A high level of diligence and ability to work without supervision;

vii. Exceptional knowledge and experience in processes of the core

functions of the University and knowledgeable about functions of the

Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE);

viii. Knowledge and expertise on use of ICT in higher education and

academic institutions;

ix. Knowledge and ability to develop and implement models for capacity

building in tertiary institutions;

x. Be able to cultivate inquisitiveness in the institution, resulting in new

thinking and ground breaking ideas that benefit the national

developmental cause;

xi. Open-minded, future-focused, team-builder, innovative and always

seeking to add value to the University of Zimbabwe bran