MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and/or Language Education (Language Planning, Language Practice) (NQF Level 9).
• A minimum of five (5) years’ managerial experience in a higher education environment.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ overall relevant experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience managing the implementation of a Language Policy and Plan (LPP).
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience planning and managing action research.
• Experience managing the review and revision of a Language Policy and Plan (LPP).
• Experience managing language facilitation services.

ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• A PhD in Applied Linguistics, Language Education, or General Linguistics (NQF Level 10).
• Accreditation by the South African Translators' Institute (SATI) in translation, interpreting, text editing, or terminography.
• Membership of language-related professional associations.

JOB DESCRIPTION

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Language Policy Planning

• Develop and implement strategies and projects aligned to the NWU Language Policy, including conducting general and vocation-specific language learning courses for staff and students, terminology planning, etc.
• Oversee the implementation of the NWU Language Policy and related Plans in the relevant NWU environments, i.e. the Language Audit, teaching- learning, support services and student life, as well as in the community.
• Utilise data obtained during the monitoring process to continuously refine implementation of language policy, and to continually review revision cycle of the LPP.
• Provide advice to faculties and support divisions on related Language Plans.
• Collaborate with the Relevant Schools and Faculties to enable research on language and multilingual pedagogies.

Language Facilitation

• Manage the staff establishment of the LD to provide language facilitation services in all the relevant NWU environments.
• Monitor the quality of the language facilitation services provided.
• Ensure seamless implementation of all strategies for successful implementation of language use in education and in administration as contained in the respective Language Plans.
• Hands-on involvement and participation in language advice, interpreting and translation.

Language Pedagogy and Planning

• Ensure development and training of multilingual facilitators through webinars and short learning programmes on multilingual pedagogies and development of related teaching-learning materials.
• Work with Deans and Deputy Deans Teaching-Learning concerning language support needs to ensure the seamless coordination of support provision commensurate with Faculty Language Plans.

Budgets for Implementation of Multilingualism

• Oversee the planning and monitoring of the budget of the Language Directorate.

Reporting, Monitoring and Research

• Work with research units and centres throughout the University to achieve synergy in terms of resource development, people development and the associated research concerning the development and implementation of the Language Policy of the University.
• Generate as required by Senate, the senior DVC T-L and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, reports for internal as well as external stakeholders on the state of multilingualism development and implementation at the University.
• Document and provide scientific reports on the implementation of multilingualism at NWU.

Stakeholder relations

• Establish language needs of internal and external stakeholders and provide intervention strategies where required.
• Maintain and further develop existing relations with internal stakeholders in language facilitation services, i.e. support, academic and management staff, as well as students.
• Collaborate with SADILAR, Lexicography unit and other NWU units involved in Language and multilingual support.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strong strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills in the domain of language facilitation services
• Experience in developing partnerships with government, industry, and international organisations in language development and technology
• Demonstrated ability to secure external funding and lead collaborative research or innovation projects
• Excellent policy analysis, governance, and institutional planning skills.
• Knowledge of language planning and language policy implementation
• Experience in managing language facilitation services and advanced knowledge of language facilitation services, particularly language advice, translation and interpreting
• Experience in managing staff in the context of language facilitation services
• Experience in planning and managing a budget
• Multilingual competency in a number of official South African languages (besides including and in addition to English and Afrikaans) relevant to the NWU environment
• Knowledge/experience of implementing multilingual pedagogies
• Research on applied linguistics, language education and/or language plan implementation
• Experience in planning and carrying out action research
• Knowledge and practical understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the ability to identify and implement their applications in multilingual education, language services, translation, terminology development, and academic administration
• Knowledge of digital transformation and emerging technologies relevant to language planning, language policy implementation, and higher education
• Experience in leveraging AI-enabled tools for improving institutional efficiency, communication, content development, and language resource management
• Knowledge of data analytics, digital innovation, and evidence-informed decision-making

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Good interpersonal relationships
• Effective time management
• Good verbal and written communication skills in a number of official South African languages (including and in addition to English and Afrikaans) relevant to the NWU environment
• Multilingual language proficiency to function optimally in the multilingual environment of the NWU
• Ability to implement action research to monitor LPP implementation

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: Prof Mpho Chaka on 018 389 2908

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Ms. Mpho Langa on 0182992170

CLOSING DATE: 28 August 2026

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible

Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWUnwu vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

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

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