Deputy Vice-Chancellor

DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR: RESEARCH & INTERNATIONALISATION

(5-year term)

 Office of the Vice-Chancellor

University of Cape Town

How might socially-relevant and transdisciplinary research approaches, as well as reciprocal international collaborations established through a commitment to academic freedom and social justice contribute to a fair and just world?

The University of Cape Town (UCT), a research-intensive university that is consistently acknowledged as one of the finest universities in Africa is seeking to appoint a Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) in the portfolio of Research and Internationalisation. UCT offers a diverse, vibrant and inclusive community in which to work towards achieving our Vision 2030 goals.

 In this dynamic role the DVC will provide strategic direction, socially conscious and impactful leadership, and lead the evolution and growth of the research ecosystem at UCT. The DVC will also spearhead transformative research initiatives that seeks to address Africa’s and our world’s most pressing challenges; champion the work of our world-renowned researchers, drive international collaborations that place UCT at the heart of critical dialogues and work to deepen our global impact, and sustainably advance our postgraduate study programmes.

UCT does not only want to be the best in Africa, but more importantly strives to be the best for Africa. Our impact we believe is, must and will continue to be felt and seen through the lives of generations changed for the better.

The appointed candidate will be an exceptional and visionary academic with a proven track-record at a senior leadership level with evidence of leading large and complex teams.  The incumbent will form part of the executive group responsible for providing strategic leadership, and operational management in addition to the responsibilities shared by all DVCs, the DVC Research and Internationalisation will also be responsible for:

• Research & innovation: profile, impact and engagement
• Advancing UCT’s African agenda, internationalisation and research partnerships
• Advancing postgraduate studies
• Inter, multi and transdisciplinary university research institutes

 Requirements for the position:

The successful candidate is expected to meet the following criteria:

• A PhD degree.
• An established research track record with NRF rating and/ or other indication of international stature, and/or appointment at the professorial level.
• Substantial experience in a leadership role such as Dean, Deputy Dean, or Head of Department in an academic/research institution or science council.
• Evidence of attracting grant funding, raising money for research and initiating international research collaborations, whilst having an understanding and appreciation for the global funding landscape as it applies to the higher education sector.
• Demonstrated understanding of the operations, good governance, financial management and affairs of a university/research institution.
• In-depth understanding of developments in the higher education arena nationally and internationally, particularly of the role of research-intensive universities as well as the importance of social responsiveness and internationalisation at all levels for such universities.
• Demonstrable record of championing transformation in terms of promoting diversity, inclusiveness and cultural awareness, and driving institutional change.
• Demonstrable track record of supervising postgraduate students.
• Advanced knowledge, insight and strategic execution capabilities in the development of the innovation, technology transfer and commercialisation ecosystem.

Specific responsibilities for this position include:  

Responsibilities relating to UCT’s strategic goals of research excellence and internationalisation are largely intertwined. These include:

• Improving research and innovation quality, quantity, integrity and impact and ensuring that UCT maintains or improves its pre-eminent place as a research-intensive University as also reflected in the international ranking of institutions.
• Growing and transforming the postgraduate sector through partnerships and collaboration, joint degrees, innovative training models and the recruitment of full-degree international postgraduate students.
• Ensuring that UCT remains a favoured destination in Africa for postdoctoral fellows and leveraging the value of this category of researcher for the research enterprise.
• Using UCT’s research strengths and priorities to position the university within local and international university partnerships and networks. This includes positioning the University optimally in relation to international funding opportunities.
• Advancing the University’s African agenda by enabling research collaborations through UCT as a portal to global North and global South partners.
• Oversight of select theme-based university-wide platforms for international research engagement.
• Oversight of all aspects of internationalisation that are not primarily research-related (such as undergraduate student mobility) – to ensure that UCT is a preferred destination for both full-degree and semester-study-abroad students; and that UCT students have ever-increasing opportunities to experience study in another country.
• Assuring that UCT is positioned optimally within the framework/context of the National Council of Innovation and that its research addresses the needs of the country.
• Enhancing the scope, quality and impact of engaged scholarship with an emphasis on addressing development and social justice.
• Responsible for establishing and ensuring the effective management of grants and championing the soft-funded academic researchers (SFARS) and their contribution to the University’s research enterprise.

For more detailed information on this post, please view the position description on the following link: (view)

We offer a competitive annual remuneration package, including benefits. Appointment to these positions is based on a five-year contract and the contract is renewable subject to a satisfactory performance review.

  To apply, please e-mail the below documents in a single pdf file to Mr. Craig Alexander at
[email protected]

• A covering letter that addresses the above criteria, including a statement on your potential contribution as DVC: Research & Internationalisation;
• Your full curriculum vitae;
• The HR204 application form for Senior Executive Posts available at: https://forms.uct.ac.za/hr204.doc

Please ensure the title and reference number are indicated in the subject line. An application that does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

Shortlisted candidates may be requested to provide further documentation on their candidacy.

 Appointment procedures are available at http://www.hr.uct.ac.za/hr/recruitment/exec_appointments/dvc

 Candidates may make informal enquiries in confidence via email to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela, at [email protected] or send directly to [email protected]

Telephone:                 021 650 5429

Reference number:    E240135

Closing date:              07 October 2024                     

 UCT 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. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf.

 The University reserves the right to extend the closing date if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.