Reporting to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Dean is a Senior Administrator whose role is to provide academic leadership to their College in line with the Education 5.0 doctrine.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
An earned doctorate degree in a relevant discipline including: Medical Sciences, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Laboratory Sciences or any other related field.
EXPERIENCE AND DESIRED ATTRIBUTES
- At least 5 years’ experience in a university leadership position such as Head of Department or Director of a Programme
- A track record of teaching, research, publication, community engagement, innovation and industrialisation/commercialisation with distinctive experience in academic leadership and education management at a university
- A broad knowledge of the College’s diverse disciplines including Nursing, Public Health, Laboratory Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Natural Resources and Medical Sciences
- Experience in managing diversity and thriving in an international and multicultural environment
- Experience in strategic network creation through grant proposal writing, funded research, innovation and industrialisation of products and services offered by the College.
- Experience in providing oversight and support for national and continental-wide student recruitment and retention activities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible for providing academic leadership for the College in a highly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment by ensuring that the College is always evolving and looking into future prospects by developing long-term objectives and strategies to boost student numbers and to ensure sustainability of College
- Ensuring that appropriate systems to support strategic objectives are developed and implemented through formulation of budgets, resource allocation and income generation
- Ensuring that in line with ZIMCHE regulations, all programmes meet the minimum body of knowledge and are set apart from similar programmes at other universities by regularly updating and creating new courses so that they remain unique, relevant and attractive to the target market
- In line with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development’s drive for Education 5.0, the Dean will be expected to work hand in hand with i5 Hub (innovation department of the university) to spearhead and motivate staff and students within the College to generate relevant ideas and innovations, and to develop and implement industrialisation initiatives, including the establishment and management of income-generating business ventures
- Developing strategic professional relationships and partnership at all levels within the organisation and externally with appropriate stakeholders to ensure strong mutually-beneficial relationships
- Providing leadership in coming up with specialised methods of effective online teaching for the different College disciplines
- Developing long-term staff plans taking into account retirements, professional development of College members and recruitment of new staff and ensuring that timeous performance reviews and feedback is given to all staff in College.
- Assisting in developing and reviewing overall university academic policies
- Allocating teaching load to qualified teaching staff within the College and, where necessary, giving recommendations for the appointment of part time staff
- Encouraging improvement in teaching, research and community service and professional development among all members of the College
- Serving as a member of various university committees including Senate
Please note that the duties and responsibilities of a Dean are grouped into 5 main categories which are:
a) Teaching
The incumbent is expected to teach or deliver lectures in accordance to the Department and or College guidelines and standards.
b) University Service and Community Engagement
The incumbent should participate in all Department, College and University activities such as attending meetings, training workshops, conferences and seminars, among others.
c) Research
The incumbent is expected to engage in active research in his/her area of specialisation which benefits the students, the Global community and the University.
d) Innovations
Innovations should lead to the production of goods and services.
e) Industrialization
Through the commercialisation of goods and services
TO APPLY
Interested candidates must submit an application letter, certified copies of certificates, transcripts, national identification (ID, or Passport & birth certificate), and a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including full personal particulars and the names and addresses of three referees.
The application pack should be sent as a single PDF file clearly marked “Dean CHANS” in the subject line to the email careers@africau.edu no later than 1400 hours on Friday, 6 February 2026. Applicants should clearly indicate the position being applied for in the application letter, which should be addressed to the Assistant Registrar, Personnel and Administration. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
