Director: School of Medicine

**FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES**

**DIRECTOR: SCHOOL OF MEDICINE**
In keeping with its vision and mission, the University of Limpopo seeks to appoint a

dynamic, visionary and innovative leader in Higher Education to the position of the

Director of the School of Medicine.

The Director will provide academic leadership and operational management of the

School. The incumbent will report to the Executive Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences,

and will be appointed on a permanent basis as either an Associate Professor or

Professor. This is a renewable four-year term appointment as a Director of the School

of Medicine.

The incumbent must meet the requirements and be responsible for key performance

areas listed below:
**Requirements**:

- A Doctoral degree or equivalent qualification or a professional Master’s degree

in Medicine (e.g. MMed) and credentials meeting the requirements for

Associate Professor or Professor in one of future disciplines in the School of

Medicine.
- A Medical specialist qualification such as Master of Medicine or a Fellowship.
- Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a

medical practitioner.
- Demonstrated knowledge, understanding, and experience of HPCSA and

related statutory regulatory environment.
- Other management qualifications, diploma, and certificates will be a strong

recommendation.

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- A sound track record as an academic including a substantial research track

record and proof of capacity to create an environment conducive for optimal

research productivity
- A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in Higher Education.
- Solid experience in working in various academic and administrative functions

especially related to teaching and learning and research, and both at the policy

development and implementation levels.
- Strong demonstrable commitment to transformation and diversity, and the

ability to lead and manage a diverse staff complement including enhancement

of quality in the three core functions of a University.
- Demonstrated understanding of issues and challenges in academic healthcare

training and development within the broader healthcare landscape.
- Knowledge and understanding of the South African Higher Education

environment and challenges facing the sector.
**Competencies**
- Technical, professional knowledge and skill.
- People management, including performance management.
- Building strategic alliances and partnerships.
- Personal impact, stature and credibility.
- Emotional intelligence and socio-political sensitivity.
- Management of complexity and ambiguity.
- Action and delivery orientated.
- Facilitating change
- Team player

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**KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAs)**

**Academic and Research Leadership**
- Co-ordinate academic activities in the areas of teaching and learning, research,

clinical training and community engagement at a School level.
- Initiate forward planning in terms of new and relevant academic structures and

developments, as well as the demands for future expansion.
- Develop and implement teaching and learning programmes within the School’s

disciplines and promote inter-disciplinary co-operation and innovation in
curriculum development.
- Set research priorities, develop research partnerships and build relevant

research capacity.
- Establish, maintain and extend the School’s contact with other academic and

research institutions including related professions.
- Promote mentorship of post-graduate students.

**Management**
- Ensure optimal utilisation of resources and performance management (human,

financial and infrastructure) to meet the School’s short, medium and long term

academic goals.
- Manage interpersonal relationships and conflicts in a fair, equitable and

professional manner.
- Manage the recruitment, appointment and placement of staff.
- Facilitate and manage the seamless relationship between the University and the

Department of Health both at national and provincial levels including hospitals.
- Promote social responsibility and awareness, and engagement with external

stakeholders.
- Manage change and institutional culture processes at a School level.

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**Student Affairs**
- Interact with students and deal with students’ affairs such as admission and

registration and ensure that mentors of staff are accessible to students and those

students are treated with consideration and courtesy.
- Promote healthy staff-student relations within the School, and the speedy

resolution of problems raised by School student representatives and individual

students.***
- Ensure that the School is made aware of the need for academic development

and support programmes, where appropriate in improving complete student

experience.***
**Academic Citizenship**
- Actively get involved as an academic leader in Faculty’s policy environment and

committees.
- Ensure implementation of University policies and decisions taken by academic

policymaking bodies.
- Act as champion of School ve