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Academic Advisor - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
South Africa
Closing date
Nov 25, 2019

Job Details

Academic advising is an ongoing and intentional teaching and learning practice that empowers students in their learning and development process in order for them to explore and align their

personal and academic goals. As a shared responsibility between the advisor and advisee, advising aims to maximise students' potential by facilitating a conceptual understanding, sharing

relevant information and developing a relationship focused on promoting academic success.

The academic advisor role will adopt a holistic, student-centred approach to academic advising that includes understanding both the institutional context of the Faculty of Medicine and Health

Sciences and the needs of its students. Through the development and delivery of a comprehensive academic support service, the academic advisor will contribute to meaningful learning

experiences and enable students' personal and professional development to achieve their education and career goals. He/she will provide support for student success and retention by

applying preventative and ameliorative interventions, as well as interventions to facilitate students' academic achievement and success. The academic advisor will connect curricular and

co-curricular aspects of students' higher education experience and will act as a liaison and point of referral to appropriate academic and support services where required.

Duties
  • Providing a holistic academic support service to undergraduate students across all undergraduate programmes in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences;
  • Creating a welcoming learning environment on Tygerberg campus that is inclusive of students from diverse backgrounds and with different academic and personal needs;
  • Developing systems for monitoring and early identification of at-risk students (i.e. before students are picked up as poor academic performers), including targeted outreach and intervention at critical times throughout the academic year;


  • Developing initiatives for facilitating the development of high achievers and participating in activities that celebrate student successes;
  • Providing psychoeducation to assist students to reach their academic and career goals (including assisting excluded students with readmissions applications and options about their future);
  • Analysing annual assessment results and associated trends (e.g. absenteeism, drop-out);
  • Assisting students in navigating and utilising relevant academic and support service resources, providing referrals to such resources and facilitating communication between relevant stakeholders;
  • Contributing to mental health promotion strategies on campus in collaboration with Student Affairs, and integrating mental health into undergraduate curricular in collaboration with relevant academic departments/divisions and programme committees;
  • Liaising with the Centre for Health Professions Education to identify and implement best practices for facilitating student learning;
  • Maintaining current knowledge of theories and best practices for supporting student success;
  • Engaging in monitoring and evaluation of the academic advisory service and conducting research to adapt and improve services offered.


Job Requirements
  • M Ed in higher education or curriculum studies, with additional qualifications or experience in psychology/mental health,OR
  • M Psych (educational/counselling registered with the HPCSA) with additional qualifications or experience in curriculum development and/or academic support programmes;
  • At least two years' work experience in a higher education or similar academic environment;
  • Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills;
  • Experience working with individuals and groups with diverse needs;
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders;
  • Ability to work autonomously, take initiative, set goals, and effectively implement both individual- and system-level interventions;
  • Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities;
  • Ability to professionally handle confidential and sensitive information;
  • Proficiency with relevant software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel), databases, and web applications.


Recommendation
  • Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in student retention and success;
  • Experience in supporting the academic success of undergraduate students;
  • Awareness of the particular demands faced by health professionals in training;
  • Understanding of the South African higher education context and the socioeconomic-political factors that impact on student learning.


#LI-POST

The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the EE plan for the specific environment as well as Stellenbosch University's institutional EE Plan.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and e-mail addresses of at least three referees), must reach the University before or on the closing date of the advertised post.

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

Should no feedback be received from the University within six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application did not succeed.

Enquiries:Prof. Julia Blitz on 021 938 9035, or at jblitz@sun.ac.za

Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process:

Human Resources Client Service Centre on 021 808 2753

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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