Faculty of Theology and Religion

Department of Practical and Missional Theology

Bloemfontein Campus

Associate Professor/ Professor: Practical Theology, with specialisation in Mission Studies/Missiology

Job ID: 6606

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

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 under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                     

• 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).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Present undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Practical and Missional Theology, with specific responsibility for Practical Theology, focusing on Mission Studies/Missiology and related missional, ecclesial and community-based practices.
• Contribute to curriculum development, renewal and assessment in Practical and Missional Theology, with particular attention to Mission Studies/Missiology, contextual, intercultural, ecumenical, ecclesial, diaconal and community-based practices.
• Teach and assess students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Practical and Missional Theology, particularly in Mission Studies/Missiology and related practical-theological fields, using appropriate contact, blended and online learning approaches.
• Utilise digital teaching platforms and learning management systems effectively in the teaching, learning and assessment of modules in Practical and Missional Theology, with specific attention to Mission Studies/Missiology and related missional practices.
• Incorporate community engagement, in-service learning and/or service-learning practices into module outcomes, teaching activities and assessment practices, particularly where these relate to missional, ecclesial, diaconal, intercultural and community-based practices.
• Conduct research in Practical Theology, with a clear focus on Mission Studies/Missiology, or closely related practical-theological fields.
• Publish research in accredited and peer-reviewed scholarly journals and other recognised academic outputs in Practical Theology, particularly in relation to Mission Studies/Missiology, missional ecclesiology, intercultural mission, diaconia, community engagement and related ecclesial or community-based practices.
• Present research at national and international conferences and participate in relevant scholarly networks in Practical Theology, Mission Studies/Missiology and related theological fields.
• Supervise postgraduate students at honours, master’s and doctoral levels in Practical Theology and Practical and Missional Theology, with specific attention to Mission Studies/Missiology and/or related practical-theological fields.
• Contribute to departmental, faculty and university administration, including academic leadership, quality assurance, student support and committee work, particularly where these relate to the development and strengthening of Practical Theology and Mission Studies/Missiology.
• Participate in scholarly, ecclesial, community and professional engagement related to Practical Theology, with a focus on Mission Studies/Missiology and related missional, ecclesial, diaconal and community-based practices.

Inherent requirements:

Associate Professor

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Practical Theology, Practical and Missional Theology, Mission Studies/Missiology, or a closely related theological discipline.
• Candidates should submit an abstract of their PhD thesis to demonstrate a clear relation to the advertised field, namely Practical Theology, with a focus on Mission Studies/Missiology (attach a copy).
• A full undergraduate degree in Theology or a related field with Theology as a major (attach a copy).
• An NRF rating of C3 or equivalent status.
• Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students.
• Acted as an editorial board member of high-quality national scholarly journals.
• Served as a member of a national scholarly society OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels OR showed evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent.
• Proven teaching experience at tertiary level in Practical and Missional Theology, with specific relevance to Mission Studies/Missiology, or another related practical-theological discipline.
• Evidence of digital teaching competence, including experience in the use of a learning management system and specific teaching pedagogies.
• Proven participation in theology-related scholarly conferences through the delivery of papers, posters or equivalent academic presentations.
• Active participation in local, national or international scholarly societies in Practical Theology, Mission Studies/Missiology, Theology, Religion or related fields.
• A proven research record in Practical Theology, with a focus on Mission Studies/Missiology, including publications in DHET-accredited journals or recognised peer-reviewed scholarly outputs, appropriate to the level of appointment.

 A proven track record of recognised research outputs in the advertised field, normally including at least six outputs in accredited journals, scholarly book chapters and/or academic books over the preceding three years, subject to discipline-specific considerations of quality, reach and impact.

• Evidence of postgraduate supervision, co-supervision or research mentoring in Practical Theology, with specific relevance to Mission Studies/Missiology or related practical theological fields, appropriate to the level of appointment.
  • A proven record of successful postgraduate supervision, normally including research master’s and/or doctoral graduates, with evidence of the ability to mentor emerging scholars and contribute to postgraduate research development in the advertised field.
• Evidence of experience in engaged scholarship activities as defined by the UFS, with a specific focus on in-service learning or service-learning in Practical Theology, preferably as incorporated into learning, teaching and assessment outcomes, and with relevance to missional, ecclesial, diaconal, intercultural and community-based practices.

Professor

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Practical Theology, Practical and Missional Theology, Mission Studies/Missiology, or a closely related theological discipline.
• Candidates should submit an abstract of their PhD thesis to demonstrate a clear relation to the advertised field, namely Practical Theology, with a focus on Mission Studies/Missiology (attach a copy).
• A full undergraduate degree in Theology or a related field with Theology as a major (attach a copy).
• Proven teaching experience at tertiary level in Practical and Missional Theology, with specific relevance to Mission Studies/Missiology, or another related practical-theological discipline.
• Evidence of digital teaching competence, including experience in the use of a learning management system and specific teaching pedagogies.
• Proven participation in theology-related scholarly conferences through the delivery of papers, posters or equivalent academic presentations.
• Active participation in local, national or international scholarly societies in Practical Theology, Mission Studies/Missiology, Theology, Religion or related fields.
• A proven research record in Practical Theology, with a focus on Mission Studies/Missiology, including publications in DHET-accredited journals or recognised peer-reviewed scholarly outputs, appropriate to the level of appointment.
  • A proven record of recognised national and international research output, normally including at least six research outputs over the preceding three years, of which a significant portion should appear in reputable international journals or books published by reputable international publishers, subject to discipline-specific considerations of quality, reach and impact.
• Evidence of postgraduate supervision, co-supervision or research mentoring in Practical Theology, with specific relevance to Mission Studies/Missiology or related practical theological fields, appropriate to the level of appointment.
  • A distinguished record of postgraduate supervision, normally including multiple research master’s and/or doctoral graduates, with evidence of supervisory leadership, mentoring of junior colleagues and the ability to attract postgraduate students nationally and/or internationally.
• Evidence of experience in engaged scholarship activities as defined by the UFS, with a specific focus on in-service learning or service-learning in Practical Theology, preferably as incorporated into learning, teaching and assessment outcomes, and with relevance to missional, ecclesial, diaconal, intercultural and community-based practices.
• Experience as external examiner for master’s-degree and doctoral students.
• Acted as editorial board member of high-quality international/ISI/IBSS journals.
• Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a particular area of academic scholarship (for example, regularly serves as a reviewer for international/ISI/IBSS journals).
• An NRF rating of C1 or C2 or equivalent status.
• Demonstrated successful supervision of graduated master’s-degree and preferably graduated doctoral students.
• Proven experience in delivering keynote addresses at national scholarly conferences.
• Served as a member of an international scholarly society OR an international committee or agency concerned with research at higher-education levels.

Recommendations:

• At least three years’ teaching experience in a higher education environment in Practical Theology, with specific relevance to Mission Studies/Missiology, or a closely related theological discipline.
  • Teaching experience should show knowledge of current developments in digital pedagogy, blended learning and online assessment in theological education.
  • Including a teaching portfolio with an application to support the above will be preferred (attach).
• Preference will be given to experience in the design, coordination or renewal of undergraduate and/or postgraduate modules in Practical Theology, with a particular focus on Mission Studies/Missiology.
• Knowledge of African, contextual, intercultural, ecumenical, diaconal, missional and/or Global South approaches to Mission Studies/Missiology.
• Practical experience of at least two years in missional practice, ecclesial ministry, diaconal work, community engagement, faith-based organisations, non-profit organisations or community-based theological work.
• Registration with, or eligibility for registration with, a relevant professional or scholarly body related to Practical Theology, Mission Studies/Missiology, Theology, Religion, ecclesial practice, diaconia or community engagement, where applicable.
• As specialisation in Mission Studies/Missiology is required, preference will be given to candidates with demonstrable ecclesial, missional, intercultural, ecumenical or community-based experience.
• Preference will be given to researchers with an NRF rating.

Required competencies:

Results Orientated:

• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:

• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
• The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption of duties:
01 January 2027

 Closing date:

9 October 2026

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

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.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 9813 or email Phokar@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979/ 7659 for assistance.

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.