Job Details

The University of Venda (Univen) is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to drive its academic planning and quality assurance agenda. The Director: Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, will play a pivotal role in advancing curriculum transformation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering innovation in teaching and learning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee academic planning in alignment with national and international regulatory bodies (DHET, CHE, SAQA, professional councils).
• Advise and support faculties in all aspects of curriculum and programme design and development, including programme and other reviews.
• Oversee the Implementation and management QA and quality monitoring projects at institutional level
• Develop and implement academic policies to support programme and qualification excellence
• Provide expert support to faculties in programme design, review, and quality assurance initiatives
• Establish and enhance institutional structures that promote academic excellence.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with higher education associations, professional bodies, and international institutions.
• Lead quality reviews and institutional-level QA projects to enhance academic integrity and performance.

Minimum Requirements

• PhD in a relevant field.
• At least 10 years’ experience in academic planning, policy development, and quality assurance within higher education.
• Deep knowledge of higher education regulatory frameworks and international academic trends.
• Strong ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior university leadership and external bodies.
• A proven research record of relevant publications in the field of Quality Assurance will be an added advantage.

Key Competencies & Attributes:

• Strategic thinking and ability to work independently under pressure.
• The ability to liaise with staff at all levels, and with senior University staff in particular.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Deep understanding of national and international higher education landscapes.
• Problem-solving and root-cause identification skills.
• The ability to develop and maintain collaborative and productive working relationships with senior staff in the Department of Higher Education and Training, the CHE, SAQA, and at other universities/institutions.