Pro-Vice Chancellor – Academic, Research and Innovation

Reports to the Vice Chancellor

The Women’s University in Africa (WUA), an institution of higher learning dedicated to empowering women and promoting gender equality through quality education, research, and innovation, is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and highly qualified individual to fill the prestigious position of Pro-Vice Chancellor, Academic, Research and Innovation.

This senior leadership role reports directly to the Vice Chancellor and is a critical part of the university’s executive management team. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing strategic direction and operational leadership in all academic, research, and innovation activities, ensuring alignment with the university’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.

Location: Harare
Duration: 4 Years

Responsibilities / Key Tasks

Academic Leadership

• Oversee the development, review, and quality assurance of all academic programs, curricula, and teaching methodologies;
• Lead the recruitment, retention, and professional development of academic staff;
• Supervise senior staff including academic Deans and Directors;
• Ensure the university maintains high academic standards and compliance with national and international accreditation bodies;
• Promotes innovation in teaching and learning to ensure a rich student-centered environment across and beyond the University;
• Foster the use of academic platforms and forums for sharing high-impact research outputs with strategic partners that include government and private sector.

Research Management

• Formulate and implement a robust research, innovation and industrialization strategy that aligns with national, regional and international development priorities and institutional goals;
• Foster a vibrant research culture among faculty and students and facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations;
• Manage and grow the university’s research grants and publication outputs;
• Develop programs for research mentorship for students and academic staff to increase the visibility of the University’s research activities.

Innovation and Commercialization

• Drive the university’s innovation agenda, including the development of intellectual property and technology transfer;
• Establish and strengthen partnerships with industry, government, and other stakeholders to commercialize research outputs;
• Promote entrepreneurial activities and innovation-based solutions to societal challenges;
• Steer the University’s commercialization drive for the production of goods and services.

Satellite Campus management and online learning initiatives

• Oversee the strategic management and operations of all satellite campuses;
• Lead the development and implementation of the university’s online learning strategy and
  digital education initiatives;
• Promote the expansion of the University’s satellite campuses in the country and beyond.

General Administration

• Assist the Vice Chancellor in the day-to-day management of the university;
• Represent the university at various national and international forums;
• Participates as a key member of the university’s senior management and collaborates with the executive team to develop the strategy and direction of the University;
• Serve on key university committees and provide leadership on strategic initiatives

Skills

• Ability to formulate and communicate a clear academic vision within a teaching, research and innovation setting.
• Willingness to take on the challenges of laying the academic, research and innovation foundations of the University;
• Have a strong commitment to higher education and the ability to lead and inspire the academics;
• Exhibit strong leadership skills, extensive administrative experience in higher education administration.;
• Excellent entrepreneurial skills including proven budgetary, management and team skills in an academic institution, and clear understanding of the social, economic and political implications of decisions made;
• Knowledge of academic programme development, implementation, management and assessment at both the undergraduate and graduate/post graduate levels;
• Proven skills in strategic management and coordination of academic activities, budgets and liaising with academic institutions are essential;
• Ability to collaborate and relate effectively with all the University stakeholders including external bodies, regulatory bodies, senior industry executives and the wider community is a key requirement in order to achieve the University goals and objectives;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to generate required consensus on strategic initiatives among diverse stakeholders including executive management, faculty staff and students and maximise available resources;
• Commitment to the delivery of quality educational support services with effective organisational and management skills including planning, assessment, financial and personnel resources management;
• Ability to demonstrate innovation and creativity in the pursuit of the University ‘s academic goals and objectives is a key requirement;
• Commitment to a campus community that welcomes and celebrates diversity;
• Demonstrate personal commitment to excellence with positive attitude.

Desired Qualifications, Experience and Attributes

• An associate or full professorship from a reputable university;
• An earned PhD in a relevant field;
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience as a Dean or in an equivalent senior administrative leadership role;
• A strong record of academic publication, research, and successful grant applications;
• Extensive experience in curriculum development, quality assurance, and academic administration;
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and commercialisation of research;
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• A deep commitment to the mission of the Women’s University in Africa and the empowerment of women.

Interested candidates should submit their application letters addressed to:

The Women’s University in Africa Council Chairperson
Women’s University in Africa
549 Arcturus Road
Manresa Park
HARARE

Please submit your detailed application letter, curriculum vitae, and certified copies of your
academic and professional qualifications as a single PDF file in the order stated above. The application documents should be emailed to vc@wua.ac.zw with a carbon copy (cc) sent to
registrar@wua.ac.zw, by 22 August 2025.