South Africa: Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer Human Nutrition and Dietetics Health Sciences posted by Nelson Mandela University

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

The Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics focuses on building and maintaining excellent academic standards in theoretical and practical application. The Department is looking for a qualified, experienced dietitian, registered in South Africa, with in-depth knowledge of all fields of the Dietetics profession, but with expertise in research supervision and attracting grants. The ideal candidate should demonstrate national and international experience in the field of research. This person will be responsible for facilitating and coordinating the learning process of undergraduates, and supervision of postgraduate students in the Department, to drive and lead core research activities and a team of researchers, to contribute to community engagement, and to demonstrate leadership in administrative commitments of the Department and School. Duties will also include module and programme development and negotiation and implementation of work integrated learning.

In the case of an Associate Professor:

In addition to academic qualifications, the candidate should have experience in leadership role in internal and external review processes to enhance the quality of learning and teaching. The applicant must have extensive relevant experience (4 – 7 years) in facilitating learning and teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels with a growing national recognition for the quality of teaching practice. They should possess proven experience in research, managing national and international collaborations, and supervising students at various academic levels (undergraduate/masters/PhDs), with at least one graduate that completed a PhD under the candidate as main supervisor.

The applicant is expected to have experience in educational leadership, whether it be programme management, coordination, Head of Department (HOD) alongside actively participating in engagement programmes.

In the case of senior lecturer:

The applicant is expected to demonstrate an ability to contribute to internal and external review processes to enhance the quality of learning and teaching. The applicant must have relevant experience 3 – 5 years) in facilitating learning and teaching at both undergraduate and post graduate levels. They should possess experience in research and post graduate student supervision at various levels.

The department is strategically enhancing its commitment to teaching, research, and community engagement. Therefore, applicants should bring substantial university-level teaching experience and a proven research record in Dietetics.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Lecturing and taking full responsibility for various modules (both theoretical and practical components) according to the needs of and job allocation in the Department, including the co-ordination and administration of various modules;
• Review, update and develop innovative academic curricula to ensure relevance and effectiveness;
• Develop, maintain, update and share module material that is relevant and of a high quality and include interprofessional activities;
• Guide students in work integrated learning and assist in the co-ordination there-of;
• To successfully supervise at all levels of postgraduate studies, particularly at the doctoral level and take the leadership role in research;
• To publish research in national and international journals accredited for subsidy by the DHE;
• To assist students to secure research funding and grants and funding for project operational costs from external stakeholders;
• To represent and support the department on inter-faculty and inter-institutional committees;
• To contribute to and timeously complete administrative and/or ad hoc tasks as assigned by the Head of the Department, Director of School and Dean of the Faculty;
• To take leadership roles within the department and if required, be willing to serve as Head of the Department;
• To serve and represent the department and institution within the broader dietetics and nutrition community;
• Participate in academic engagement and the scholarship of learning, contributing to internal and external service to the discipline and profession;
• Contribute to community engagement initiatives;
• Engage actively in professional bodies and academic associations.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Good knowledge of theory, understanding and application of the various fields of Dietetics;
• In-depth experience in working in the field of Dietetics;
  • Good, effective teaching skills, experience in facilitating learning at a university and personality to teach at all levels, including supervision and examination on postgraduate level;
  • Experience in teaching and co-ordinating various methods of learning, including hybrid learning and work integrated learning;
  • Capable of securing external research funding to support research, engagement and academic initiatives (this applies to the Associate Professor level);
  • Good negotiation skills;
  • Ability to compile student guides and manuals;
  • Promoting academic excellence in teaching and research;
  • Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills for teaching, report writing and when serving as a department representative;
  • Possess the ability to manage administrative commitments timeously even with tight deadlines, and ensure attention to detail and high quality;
  • Flexible approach to work responsibilities, understanding that tasks change over time;
  • Possess the ability to support and supervise postgraduate students and regularly publish research findings;
  • Proven record of attracting research funding;
  • Possess the personality to work independently and cohesively in a team, both as leader or team member, recognizing the diversity of the team;
  • Experience in participating with the broader dietetics and nutrition community and engaging with external organisations;
  • Have the flexibility and means to commute between campuses and work integrated learning sites as required;
  • Providing and/or facilitating mentorship of young academics in the Department;
  • Offering leadership in transformation initiatives;
  • Good computer skills to facilitate and plan learning and research.