The University of the Western Cape (UWC) enjoys national and international acclaim for its continuing contribution to democratic change in South Africa and for making quality education accessible to all South Africans and developing centres of excellence of national importance. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and supportive Faculty dedicated to teaching, research and community engagement, as well as to overall student development. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated and willing to make a significant contribution to the Faculty.

The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that educates students across academic units including Accounting, Economics, Industrial Psychology (Human Resources Management), Information Systems, Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), Institute for Social Development, Political Studies, Management and Entrepreneurship, Finance, School of Government and the Academic Literacies Programme.

The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Western Cape is an internationally recognised centre of research excellence. PLAAS conducts research, provides training and supervision, and pursues policy and community engagement, to advance just, equitable and sustainable access to land, fisheries and other natural resources. PLAAS offers training at postgraduate level only, through a Post-Graduate Diploma, Masters and PhD, as well as short courses. PLAAS currently has 18 staff. All posts except three Professors are supported by donor-funded projects. 

We seek a Professor / Associate Professor to join our team. This permanent post is an established Professorial position within the EMS Faculty. The position of Professor offers a unique opportunity for an established academic with a high profile, to dedicate their energy and expertise to drive the core activities of PLAAS, a large part of which relates to the development of research, and to contribute to the success and sustainability of the Institute. Preferred candidates will have specialist knowledge in social ecology, and work in the fields of climate change and/or food systems, and bring with them existing international networks and research partnerships.

This permanent position is an established Professorial position within the School of Government and affords the successful candidate the opportunity of the Directorship of the School for a 5-year term.
 
The position of Director offers a unique opportunity for an established academic with a high profile, someone who is energetic and motivated to drive the development of the school as a centre of academic and professional excellence. 

Key performance areas – Professor/Associate Professor:

• Conduct research and publish in the broad field of land and agrarian studies, rural development and natural resource governance
• Undertake postgraduate supervision
• Participate in community engagement and outreach
• Contribute to a high public profile for PLAAS across policy, civil society, and scholarly sectors nationally and internationally
• Facilitate learning and teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Provide academic and administrative leadership
• Undertake curriculum development and renewal
• Provide mentorship to emerging scholars
• Generation of research grants (required at Full Professorship level)

Key performance areas – Director:

• Formulate and drive a clear vision and provide overall strategic leadership, management and contribute toward overall organisational efficiency
• Provide strong intellectual leadership of the academic project
• Financial management and fundraising for donor-funded projects, new initiatives and initiating income-generating projects 
• Ensure a high public profile for PLAAS by engaging in relevant collaborative partnerships and networks, locally, regionally and globally 
• Contribute to the management and development of human resources in PLAAS, by developing, empowering and motivating staff to achieve high performance.

Minimum Requirements

• A PhD or NQF equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g. sociology, anthropology, geography, environmental science, development studies, politics, economics) from a reputable university 
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating learning and teaching
• Extensive experience of social science research on topics relevant to the core focus of PLAAS 
• A demonstrated capacity for fundraising from international philanthropic foundations
• Extensive experience and proven competence in academic leadership and management 
• An excellent track record of accredited peer-reviewed publications 
• A track record of successful postgraduate training and supervision 
• Evidence of the integration of community engagement for societal impact with learning and teaching and/or research
• Evidence of expertise and national standingin his/her discipline (as well as definite international presence at Full Professorship level)
• Experience in generating research grants through international partnerships (required at Full Professorship level)

 
Key competencies: 

• Technical professional knowledge and skills in the discipline and in the core strategic areas, namely research and scholarship, postgraduate supervision, and policy and community engagement
• Excellent managerial and strategic leadership qualities 
• Strategic orientation and planning and organisational skills 
• Good people management, conflict management and interpersonal skills
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Computer literacy and e-learning skills.
• Building partnerships and strategic working relationships 
• Leading through vision and values to develop and promote academic excellence 

For further information (but not applications), please contact Prof. Michelle Esau on mvesau@uwc.ac.za