Director: Research

**Purpose**

The incumbent will support the DVC: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies in the leadership and management of the academic project at the University. S/he further take full responsibility for the development of a vibrant academic culture, in support of the university reaching its research strategic objectives. Further responsibilities include people management, budget and financial management and health and safety management.

**Minimum Responsibilities**
- A Doctoral degree in a related field would generally be required
- At least 10 years’ experience in higher education institutions, including supervision of staff, budgets and processes
- A track record in leading and managing research with experience in interacting with researchers, research councils, funders, and other stakeholders both locally and internationally
- A thorough understanding of research and postgraduate student issues
- Experience at effectively managing resources within a complex organisation
- Experience in developing and managing donor or funder relationships, and in proposal and report writing
- The ability to work under pressure and manage a complex set of concurrent tasks
- Excellent people management skills and a strong service ethic
- Can think strategically and operationalise strategy into plans and projects
- Has the ability to mobilize and inspire others towards shared goals
- Computer skills (MS Office suite) and experience with research information management platforms (e.g SARMS/RIMS)

**_
Duties and responsibilities._**
- ** Strategy Development and Execution**
- Actively support the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies in the leadership and management of the research, and innovation project at the University
- Support the effective implementation of the University’s mission, vision, values and strategic priorities
- Support and guide the following portfolios:

- Academic leadership and planning in the areas of research, post graduate studies and innovation
- Internationalization of research in line with national policy frameworks
- Interacting with external partners, including government, local and international universities, alumni, business and local communities, and donors (fundraising)
- Embed an institutional and performance culture that supports the implementation of the SPU mission, vision, values and strategic priorities
- Drive the induction of all new and current staff in Research on:

- SPU’s research plan and associated strategies
- **
Research: Operations Management**

Research
- Ensure that SPU builds and strengthens its research capacity and footprint aligned to its mission and vision
- Contribute to the increase in the number of academic staff rated as “research active”
- Contribute to the increase in the number of postgraduate students
- Explore and cultivate funding opportunities for the core activities of research, postgraduate studies and innovation
- Ensure the digitalization of research and post graduate student information storing and reporting in line with SPU imperatives
- Develop the commercialisation of research and associated technology transfer

Emerging Researchers/Post-Doctoral Fellowships
- Identify opportunities for obtaining funding for postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students, through national and international sources
- Provide support to postdocs for their development into future academics (both at SPU and beyond)

Commercialisation and Innovation
- Explore alternative funding opportunities for the core activities of innovation
- Increase patent activities, including patent registrations

Community Engagement
- Lead in producing high-value linkages and partnerships with other institutions, organisations and communities
- Ensure that inter-faculty transfer and departmental collaboration is maximised and the selected cross-university partnerships are rendered fully effective
- Facilitating the processes of exchanging and transferring knowledge, expertise and experiences between SPU and community development initiatives
- Support the integration of community engagement in the research and service delivery activities of SPU
- Develop existing and build new multi-stakeholder partnerships with communities, civil society, government and business
- Support greater collaboration in identified areas between the University and its communities in Kimberley and surrounding areas is affected
- **
Policy and Procedure Development**
- Drive the review of current research and innovation policies and procedures and the development of new policies and procedures where necessary
- Provide continuous feedback to line management and staff on implementation practices related to policies and procedures
- **
Quality Assurance and Risk Management**

Quality Assurance
- Implementation of the quality assurance standards/ measures to meet both internally set standards and the requirements of external bodies

Risk Management
- Provide risk reporting
- Impl