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Manager: Scholarship of Engagement (Engaged Research Manager) N000663

Listing reference: nwu_001659
Listing status: Closed
Apply by: 10 May 2023
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: Others: General Management
Location: Potchefstroom
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
About our company
NWU
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS) DIVISION: DVC MAHIKENG CAMPUS OPERATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT: SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY IMPACT VACANCY: MANAGER: SCHOLARSHIP OF ENGAGEMENT (ENGAGED RESEARCH MANAGER) POSITION NUMBER: N000663 PEROMNES: P6 EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT
Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
To identify, collate and report on, as well as promote engaged research opportunities(i.e., related to sustainability and community impact) within and across faculties, by managing, supporting, or actively taking part in such activities (as a researcher, student supervisor/promoter and teacher pf selected modules/courses), to develop and expand the Scholarship of Engagement (ES) at the NWU. The effective integration with the sustainable development goals and the African Agenda 2063 into the strategic partnerships that is supported by the ES approach. The invidual is responsible with the driving the awareness, monitoring and evaluation of ES at the University and managing the CE database and publish community impact (CI) reports. This expertise will also be shared beyond the University as a service to external stakeholders.

JOB DESCRIPTION
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide intellectual and strategic leadership to research entities in order to contribute to sustainability and community impact
  • Interact with research entities (e.g., research/school directors and research support) in order to stimulate new engaged research activities.
  • Contribute to a working group/committee that provides strategic direction and know-how for engaged activities.
Steer and promote quality in all aspects relating to engaged scholarship-specifically the publication of scientific community
engagement articles
  • Support and assist research entities with the implementation of the quality manual for community impact (CI) via the faculty committees for Community Engagement/Stakeholder Relations (CE/SR) and the Quality Office.
  • Identify opportunities for scholarly outputs on community engagement (CE) processes through relationship building and understanding the CE activities and linking these to potential publications through close relationships with engaged practitioners and faculties. Consistent research outputs are key contributors to this portfolio as this individual should be in touch with the latest research trends and lead by example.
  • Influence ethical behaviour and practices in engaged scholarship activities in collaboration with the relevant structures.
  • Lead the process of creating communities of practice for ES with the NWU.
Drive coordination, guidance, and support to ensure quality engaged research outputs from all research entities
  • Drive scholarship of engaged research by providing and identifying suitable training and support in order to stimulate and maintain a steady outflow of trans and multi-disciplinary publications in accredited journals, with a strong focus on sustainable development and societal impact.
  • Engaged research capacity building: Collaborating with research support for annual workshops and writers’ retreats.
  • Guide faculties to employ participatory/reciprocal knowledge sharing methodologies where appropriate. Training other or new scholars in engaged research methodologies and contribute to training on ES.
Provide coordination, guidance, and support to ensure high quality research related to engaged teaching-learning outputs
from all faculties.
  • Drive the scholarship of engaged teaching and learning by providing / identifying suitable training and support in order to stimulate and maintain a steady outflow of trans and multi-disciplinary publications in accredited journals from engaged teach and learning activities like WIL and service-learning (SL).
  • Collaborating with academic support services for annual workshop and writers’ retreats in order to support the inclusion of new knowledge on S-L and WIL and CI into the curriculum and to measure the influence of these activities on the creation of stewardship in CI. This will include collecting reports on environmental actions among students (measure how student attributes are attained and maintained) as provided the relevant partners in the portfolio of the DVC Teaching and Learning.
Guide/participate in research related to engaged research and teaching-learning activities to be aligned with national and international imperatives and critical challenges (needs) in communities.
  • Assist research entities and faculty committees to align engaged research and engaged teaching-learning to identified needs and imperatives.
  • Conduct research on identified critical challenges/needs and develop preventative strategies to avoid direct risks to the NWU.
  • Perform regional needs and asset assessments using the Sensemaker software platform to interpret qualitative and quantitative data of CE and the impact we are making.
  • Collaboratively prioritise initiatives for the Knowledge for Change Hub.
  • Create opportunities for staff, students, and community partners to be exposed to CI in relevant contexts for example a Science Shop.
  • Work closely with community development managers to communicate the prioritised CI needs within SCI and the university.
  • Monitor and link information from our database to progress made in addressing international and national imperatives.
Report on impact of research related to various engaged teaching-learning and engaged research activities
  • Work closely with research directors, committees and faculty coordinators to ensure that the data base is maintained, and reports and data analytics are provided as required.
  • Coordinate and drive with the relevant stakeholders’ impact monitoring and analysis over a longer term.
  • Conduct or support regular impact studies and needs and assets assessments as required for external stakeholders
Coordinate, align and plan the activities across campuses and faculties by meeting with central committee for community impact
  • Liaising with the director and other relevant stakeholders in CE and management and a central committee to ensure alignment on planned outputs in the universities’ annual performance plan, outcomes, and impact by meeting on a regular basis.
  • Identify capacity building needs and support needed and communicate to management and assist with training needs.
  • Share good practise internally with central committee and managers.
  • Serve our communities by ensuring research communication is not only confined to disciplines and shared more widely.
Student supervision and training
  • Train pre-and post-graduate students
  • Contribute to the promotion of environmental awareness among students and staff for the triple-bottom line.

Minimum requirements

  • A Master’s degree (NQF level 9) specialising in sustainability or community development or social sciences/entrepreneurship/ impact measurement/data analysis/complexity management/collaborative partnerships.
  • Registration with South African Higher Education Community Engagement Forum/International Leadership Association/Partnerships Brokers Association.
  • A minimum of four (4) years’ management experience.
  • A minimum of six (6) years’ work experience in public speaking, relationship building and community development.
  • Good publication record of scientific articles.
ADDED ADVANTAGE:
  • Financial Management or Business degree (NQF level 7/8).
  • A minimum of four (4) years’ sustainability experience.
  • A minimum of four (4) years’ lecturing experience.
KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
  • Being able to adapt to different cultural settings- have knowledge of a diversity of cultures.
  • Have good language proficiency - be able to speak and write good English and if at all possible, proficiency in any other indigenous South African languages.
  • Understand business, interpret financial statements and be able to conduct project management.
  • Have a record of consistent academic outputs.
  • Must be able to relate to different levels of society including government and the private sector.
  • Must understand the academic project well, how it functions and have insight into academic life.
  • Have the ability to see the big picture, have whole brain thinking and complexity systems thinking abilities.
  • Must be able to plan and conduct research, do data management, and integrate impact measurement into research.
  • Must understand sustainability and the triple -bottom -line
KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
  • Have patience, respect, and maturity.
  • Be confident.
  • Be dependable and consistent.
  • Must be emotionally intelligent and be able to work with different kinds of personalities.
  • Be able to function independently.
REMUNERATION
The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:                        Mrs B Bouwman, Tel. No: 018 299-4220 
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:     Ms Hawa Joosub, Tel No: 018 389-9015
CLOSING DATE:                                                                                                        10 May 2023
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES:                                                                                  As soon as possible
Kindly take note: applications may only be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of the Employment Equity Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the aforementioned Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.


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