Associate Professor/Professor and Director - Unit for Academic Literacy - 24159

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
UNIT FOR ACADEMIC LITERACY
PROFESSOR / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF UNIT (ONE POST)

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the vacancy of Professor / Associate Professor and Director of the Unit, in the Unit for Academic Literacy.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and giving it a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

The Unit for Academic Literacy (UAL) is a teaching intensive entity. Its core business is the design and offering of subject-specific academic literacy interventions as credit-bearing modules, mostly at first-year level, but also at honours level, in collaboration with academic departments, schools and faculties. Curricular academic literacy interventions are extended through workshops and voluntary non-curricular pre-booked writing centre support sessions offered on a one-on-one basis. Like other academic departments in the Faculty of Humanities, its staff are involved with postgraduate supervision and research.

The Unit is also a research-active entity. Cutting-edge research spans various themes, including academic reading, academic writing, writing centre interventions, utilising students' multilingual repertoires as a resource in facilitating concept literacy, the use of ICTs in promoting scientific and academic literacy, as well as literacy/career narratives to draw on the literacies students bring with them to the university.

UAL also houses a Language Unit, which is primarily responsible for implementing the University of Pretoria's Language Policy through corporate translation and editing in English, Afrikaans and Sepedi. Besides this, it oversees external contract work in other languages by expert freelancers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• The strategic, academic and operational leadership and management of the Unit;
• Planning and managing the academic and research programmes of the Unit and enhancing its research profile;
• Promoting high standards of academic education and best practice in methods of delivery;
• Promoting multi-disciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching and research;
• Playing an active role as academic leader at national and international levels;
• Recruiting and managing the staff of the Unit and actively supporting their continuous development;
• Teaching and postgraduate supervision commensurate with other responsibilities;
• Managing the Unit's budget, leading and supporting fundraising activities;
• Developing and implementing a vision for the UAL, aligned with the broader strategic goals of the Faculty of Humanities and the University.
• Leading curriculum design and development processes for the UAL;
• Ensuring constructive alignment of UAL curricula with the academic content of faculties through ongoing/continuous negotiation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A doctorate in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, English, English language teaching or Applied Language Studies;
• Experience in teaching Academic Literacy, Applied Linguistics, Linguistics or Applied Language Studies
• Academic status in the field of Academic Literacy or Applied Linguistics;
• A proven research and publication record mainly in academic literacy or Applied linguistics;
• A proven track record of postgraduate student supervision in Language studies, Academic Literacy or Linguistics and/or related fields;
• An appropriate vision for the Unit;
• Must be appointable as Associate Professor or Professor;
• Must be able to mobilize resources for the Unit including fundraising.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Academic standing in the relevant discipline;
• Experience in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration;
• Experience in high-level liaison with internal and external stakeholders;
• International recognition;
• Strong leadership skills, as well as strong interpersonal communication skills;
• Strong academic administration skills;
• External/third stream fundraising experience.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Management experience at a tertiary institution;
• An NRF rating.

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent's level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and go to About UP. Select Career Opportunities and select the position you want to apply for.

In applying for this post, please attach:

• A comprehensive CV (prepared on UP's prescribed template);
• Certified copies of qualifications;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of four referees whom we have permission to contact;
• Self-evaluation;
• Your vision for the Unit.

Candidates are expected to make a 10-minute verbal presentation to the Faculty Recruitment and Selection Committee on his / her vision for the Unit.

By applying, candidates agree to the appointment process as set out in the relevant UP policy document. This process can be accessed at http://www.up.ac.za/services/personnel/policies/w113E.doc.

Although candidates will be appointed permanently as Professor or Associate Professor, the Directorship is a fixed-term appointment of four years. Preference will be given to the incumbent for re-appointment for a second term.

CLOSING DATE: 15 May 2021

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES: Prof V Reddy, Tel: (012) 420-2360, dean.humanities@up.ac.za for enquiries relating to the post content and Ms V Reynders, vicky.reynders@up.ac.za for application-related enquiries.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 30 June 2021 please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.