PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Senior Academic Developer is responsible for providing strategic curriculum development support, facilitating academic program evaluations, and enhancing teaching and learning practices across the institution. This role involves collaboration with faculty members, academic leadership, and various stakeholders to ensure high-quality educational outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Curriculum Design and Program Support

• Lead and facilitate program development workshops including Carpe Diem workshops for new qualifications and programs.
• Provide expert advice on module design/renewal for multimodal and blended delivery.
• Support academics in developing module purposes, outcomes, assessment criteria, and learning designs.
• Participate in Internal and External Programme Evaluations (IPEs/EPEs) as professional support staff.
• Provide pedagogical guidance on assessment designs and active learning techniques.
• Ensure alignment of learning outcomes with engaged learning principles.

Academic Professional Development

• Present at CTL Induction Programme sessions.
• Support and evaluate Teaching Awards participants.
• Observe and provide feedback on teaching practices.
• Contribute to Teaching and Learning Committee meetings.
• Deliver CPD workshops on teaching and learning themes.
• Support academics in developing teaching portfolios.

Project Management

• Lead and monitor implementation of assigned projects.
• Review and quality assure project reports.
• Manage project teams and deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with project timelines and targets.
• Liaise with relevant offices regarding project risks and challenges.
• Complete full project cycles from implementation to evaluation.

Faculty Support and Administration

• Facilitate faculty request meetings.
• Manage electronic database of requests.
• Prepare meeting agendas and extract reports.
• Contribute to integrated system development.

• A master’s degree in Education (NQF level 9).
• A PGDip in Academic Development or related field (NQF level 8).
• A minimum of five (5) years’ work experience as a specialist in a relevant field of Teaching, Learning and Research in a higher education institution.

ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• A PhD (NQF level 10).
• Professional registration with SACE.
• Membership with HELTASA and/or SAERA.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ teaching experience as a specialist in a relevant field of Teaching, Learning and Research in a higher education institution.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• The ability to design and adapt curriculum materials that integrate literacy instruction seamlessly into the content areas. This involves aligning instructional materials with academic standards.
• Research Skills: The capability to stay current with research on disciplinary literacy and best practices in literacy instruction, and to apply this research to curriculum development and instruction.
• Data Management: Competency in organizing and managing data related to student literacy progress, program effectiveness, and resource utilization.
• Extensive experience in higher education teaching and learning.
• Expertise in assessment practices and blended learning approaches.
• Excellent project management skills.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Leadership qualities such as vision, motivation, and the ability to inspire and guide others are essential.
• Collaboration skills to build positive working relationships.
• Awareness and sensitivity to the cultural backgrounds and experiences of students and lecturers.
• Openness to feedback from lecturers, colleagues and others and willingness to reflect on their practices.

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 REGADING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:                    Dr. Nomasomi Morule, Tel No: 018 289-2482

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mr. Rabs Diratsagae, Tel No: 018 299-4797

CLOSING DATE:                                                                                                   10 February 2025

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. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.