Executive: Quality Assurance

The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) is a registered private higher education provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of ADvTECH Ltd, listed on the JSE.

The IIE’s Central Academic Team (CAT) is the custodian of academic quality, educational technology, and governance across the institution. It leads academic strategy, compliance, and operational integrity through robust governance structures.

The current CAT is in the process of being repositioned as a Centre of Excellence, a hub for academic innovation, staff capacity building, quality assurance, and governance across both the schools and tertiary divisions.

**The purpose of the job**:
The Executive: QA & Governance is responsible for overseeing the development, review, and compliance of policies and procedures within the Tertiary Division. The role is responsible for leading the strategy for governance, quality assurance, enhancement, and product development (accreditation). This role directs adherence to regulatory and statutory requirements, governs the over-arching Quality Assurance Framework, manages external institutional audits and site visits, and conducts internal quality audits. Additionally, the Executive: QA & Governance oversees self-evaluation reviews, regulatory report consolidation and analysis, accreditation, and registration. Lead digital enablement and innovation to enhance efficiency and quality.

A key aspect of this role is to mentor and build capacity within governance and quality assurance roles as these roles develop within the institutions ensuring the establishment, maintenance, and improvement of effective governance and quality assurance structures and committees. This position operates at a business governance level, driving strategic initiatives to enhance institutional performance, compliance, and quality.

**Reporting to**:

- The IIE.

**Main Outputs and Responsibilities for this Position**:
Strategic Leadership of Quality Assurance, Quality Enhancement, and Governance
- Develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) and Governance strategy
- Lead integrated quality and governance frameworks aligned with national and international standards
- Provide strategic guidance to quality and compliance units across the institution
- Drive quality enhancement initiatives to promote academic excellence and institutional credibility
- Align the QA strategy with the vision and objectives of CAT and the broader divisional goals.

Regulatory and Statutory Compliance Oversight
- Ensure institutional compliance with statutory requirements from DHET, CHE, SAQA, and other bodies
- Oversee risk management frameworks related to academic governance and quality
- Monitor institutional adherence to regulatory frameworks and audit outcomes
- Engage with external regulatory bodies and represent the institutions in formal reviews where required
- Lead readiness processes for audits and site visits by regulatory bodies

Quality Framework and Accreditation Leadership
- Oversee the design and review of the institutional Quality Assurance Framework (QAF)
- Monitor the institutional implementation of quality management systems (QMS)
- Promote a systemic approach to self-evaluation, internal reviews, and quality audits
- Ensure responsiveness of quality systems to stakeholder feedback and national trends

Institutional Policy Development and Advisory Role
- Lead policy development and review processes for academic and quality-related policies
- Provide advisory input to academic boards and committees on governance matters
- Ensure alignment of institutional policies with national regulatory frameworks
- Oversee policy communication and awareness to relevant stakeholders
- Monitor policy implementation and compliance across faculties and sites of delivery

Capacity Development and Culture Building
- Drive capacity-building initiatives to enhance quality and compliance literacy
- Facilitate institutional training on QA, governance, and academic integrity
- Develop toolkits and resources to support staff in the implementation of QA practices through Sirius
- Build a culture of shared responsibility for quality and good governance
- Identify professional development opportunities aligned with quality goals

**Qualification**
- Minimum of a Doctoral Degree

**Experience**:

- Minimum of 5 years in a Quality Assurance/Governance Leadership Role
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in Higher Education Experience

**Competencies**:

- Strategic Quality Assurance- Higher Education Compliance- Governance and Policy Advisory
- Analytical and Risk Management
- Communication and Reporting
- People Development and Capacity- Academic Planning and Evaluation
- Strategic Thinking
- Collaboration and Influence
- Professional Integrity
- Resilience and Adaptability
- Sound Judgement
- Service Orientation

**Other Special Requirements**:
- Occasional travel between campuses or the central office may be required.- May be require