Faculty of the Humanities
Bloemfontein Campus
Dean: Humanities (post level 4) (Contract appointment: five years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term)
Job ID: 6582

The Professor and Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities is responsible for providing strategic and visionary academic leadership to ensure that the Faculty achieves its teaching and learning, research, innovation, postgraduate education and engaged scholarship objectives. Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, the Dean is directly responsible for the management and advancement of academic programmes, research initiatives, community-engaged scholarship and strategic partnerships that enhance the Faculty’s impact locally, nationally, continentally and internationally.

Duties and responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership and Alignment
• Articulate and implement a strategic vision that aligns with the University's strategic priorities and the Faculty's goals.
• Position the Faculty as a leading centre of excellence in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
• Lead the Faculty's academic and operational priorities in accordance with the University's commitment to transformation, decolonisation, social justice, digitalisation, student success and societal impact.
• Promote interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary scholarship and collaboration.
• Foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity and academic excellence

Academic Excellence
• Oversee the development, review and renewal of academic programmes to ensure relevance, quality and sustainability.
• Promote excellence in teaching, learning and assessment practices.
• Advance student access, success, retention and graduation.
• Ensure compliance with institutional and national quality assurance and accreditation requirements.
• Lead curriculum transformation initiatives aligned with national and international developments in Humanities education.

Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies
• Promote a high standard of research and scholarly output within the Faculty.
• Strengthen the Faculty's national and international research profile.
• Support the development of emerging scholars and postgraduate students.
• Promote interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research initiatives.
• Facilitate external funding opportunities and strategic research partnerships.
• Advance innovation, knowledge production and societal impact through scholarship.

Engagement and Partnerships
• Integrate engaged scholarship into teaching, learning and research activities.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with government, industry, cultural institutions, civil society organisations and international collaborators.
• Represent the Faculty on institutional, national and international platforms.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to enhance the Faculty's contribution to society.

Operational and Financial Oversight
• Manage the Faculty's budget and resources effectively to support strategic priorities.
• Ensure sound financial governance and sustainability.
• Oversee the recruitment, development and retention of academic and support staff.
• Foster a collegial, high-performance and inclusive organisational culture.
• Ensure effective management of infrastructure, facilities and Faculty assets.

Advancement, Promotion and Fundraising
• Promote the Faculty nationally, continentally and internationally.
• Lead fundraising, donor engagement and alumni relations initiatives.
• Secure external funding to support teaching, research and engagement activities.
• Enhance the Faculty's reputation through strategic stakeholder engagement and advocacy.

Inherent requirements:
• A Doctorate on NQF Level 10 in a discipline relevant to the Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences or related fields.
• Appointment at the full Professor level, evidenced by substantial contributions to teaching and learning, research, engaged scholarship and academic leadership.
• An established national and international research profile and academic network.
• A proven record of high-quality accredited research outputs.
• A minimum of five (5) years' experience in senior academic leadership and management within a higher education institution, preferably in a research-intensive or research-led university environment.
• Proven expertise in faculty management, including finance, human resources and strategic planning.
• Demonstrated experience in obtaining external funding for research and academic initiatives.
• Experience within a research-intensive university environment.

Recommendations:
• NRF rating or equivalent recognition of research excellence.
• Recognised standing within the Humanities, Arts or Social Sciences disciplines.
• Demonstrated success in leading institutional transformation initiatives.
• Proven experience in curriculum innovation and academic programme development.
• Demonstrated experience in internationalisation and global academic partnerships.
• Proven ability to lead and manage complex organisational change.
• Familiarity with developments relating to Artificial Intelligence, Digital Humanities and Educational Technologies.

Term of Appointment
The Dean will be appointed on a five-year fixed-term performance-based contract in accordance with the University's policies and procedures and may be eligible for reappointment subject to institutional requirements and performance.

Assumption of duties:
01 January 2027

Closing date:
04 September 2026

Salary:
The salary is available on request and will be commensurate with the responsibilities attached to the position.

Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll.
The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed here:
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Enquiries:
For enquiries, please contact 051 401 9329 or email VermaakM@ufs.ac.za / 051 401 9848 or email TeateaPR@ufs.ac.za.

General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.