Job Overview
The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation is a key strategic position which provides an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to play a major role in achieving UNZA’s strategic goals as part of a dynamic senior management team. The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (DVC- RI) shall assist the Vice Chancellor in the performance of his/her management functions; and will be responsible for providing leadership in driving quality and excellence in research, knowledge transfer and innovation programmes, setting up the research infrastructure, development of the research environment, and formulation of research policies in accordance with the University’s strategic objectives.
The DVC (RI) shall oversee the work of staff in the Directorate of Research, the Deans of Schools and the Chief Librarian in collaboration with the Senior Management Team, Senate and other stakeholders in the review of existing research portfolio, development of new research programmes and recruitment of academic teams of the highest calibre to support research, knowledge transfer and innovation.
He/she must have attained full professorial status with an excellent track record of leadership and academic achievements, including international research experience, resource mobilisation, coordinating research and innovation programmes, managing research grant schemes, particularly research outputs to inform teaching and learning, and engagement with stakeholders through public and policy dialogues, reporting on research priorities/achievements and other institutional development projects at the University level.
He/she must have a sustained and robust track record of research experience and should have led research projects at global as well as SADC and AU levels. Evidence of experiences of being part of research teams, committees, or/and leading research programmes or institutes with visible public policy impact globally, in the SADC region and in Zambia will be a valuable and an added advantage.
Faculty
Positions
1
Duration
4 Years
Responisbilities
LEADERSHIP
a) Provide strategic direction for the advancement of research, knowledge transfer and innovation to support both quality education and engagement with stakeholders to maximise socio-economic and environmental impact.
b) Design the overall research programme to respond to the policies/strategies agreed by the Governing Council, University Senior Management Team and, where appropriate, the Senate.
c) Provide strategic partnerships with Government policy makers, private sector, civil society, national and international partners to sensitise them on the university’s research strategy
and to develop research programmes to respond to the priorities of various stakeholders.
d) Develop relationships and networks with key internal and external stakeholders for the dissemination of research outputs and to influence and shape the development of national policy relating to research.
e) Work with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), and Senior Management Team, to promote a culture of research-informed teaching/learning across the University to enhance students’ experience.
f) Promote a culture of knowledge generation and sharing through research and publication of research outputs, application of research and innovation to develop the next generation of leaders.
RESOURCE MOBILISATION
a) Develop a resource mobilisation strategy to attract funding for research and consultancy.
b) Lead the University’s innovation and commercialization strategy including the protection of intellectual assets, through building of strategic alliances with Government, industry, local and international research institutes.
c) Work closely with internal/external stakeholders to support the development of philanthropic giving for investment in research and innovation.
d) Develop bilateral relationships of mutual benefit to generate funding for research and consultancy, working with partner universities, regional, national and international alliances and networks.
e) Work with the Senior Management Team and Deans to ensure that emerging technology platforms are implemented so that opportunities for external funding are fully exploited.
COORDINATING RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROGRAMMES
a) Oversee the planning and delivery of the University’s research, knowledge transfer and innovation programmes.
b) Initiate policies, processes, and structures aimed at developing a research culture, improving quality, and enhancing the dissemination and impact of research outputs.
c) Promote interdisciplinary research in the University’s funding programme to ensure that priority activities are considered with targets to track progress.
d) Coordinate the workforce planning process to address gaps in staffing, develop initiatives to attract, develop and retain researchers of the highest quality including higher degrees by research.
e) Coordinate performance reviews to assess skills/aspirations of research staff; and introduce training opportunities based on the development needs of staff.
MANAGING AND ADMINISTERING RESEARCH AWARD SCHEMES
a) Work with the Director of Research and Consultancy, Deans, Heads of Departments and staff to grow external research income and champion a change in research culture.
b) Foster excellence in research and knowledge transfer through critical evaluation of proposals for quality, effectiveness and impact.
c) Negotiate and manage external research contracts and consultancies.
d) Support the Director of Research and Consultancy to deliver the University’s medium and long-term research priorities and aspirations.
e) Provide support to staff and students engaged in research and consultancy.
f) Set standards for research, branding, quality assurance and control.
GOVERNANCE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, the key responsibilities are to provide leadership, strategic direction and overseeing the development and implementation of the University’s strategic goals in the area of research, innovation, grants and partnerships
line with the Higher Education Act No.4 of 2013, as read together with the Higher Education (Amendment) Act No. 23 of 2021. The incumbent will be responsible for, among others, the following:
a) Ensuring the formulation, implementation and review of policies and strategies pertaining to Research, Consultancy and Innovations.
b) Providing oversight on all research, innovation and consultancy functions of the University.
c) Serving as the Chairperson of the Research, Consultancy and Innovation Boards.
d) Providing effective leadership in promoting scholarly research in order to enhance the research profile of the University and disseminate research findings in the form of articles, books or other appropriate means.
e) Leading in ensuring that the University generates revenue through research, consultancy and innovations, required for effective operations of the research and innovations function of the University.
f) Providing leadership in the performance management of heads of research units and leading in building a competent, experienced and motivated workforce in the area of research, consultancy and innovations.
g) Establishing links and collaborations with other universities, research institutions and any other beneficial organisations both at national and international levels.
h) Providing leadership and strategic direction in all matters relating to alumni advancement and international relations.
i) Ensuring preparation of quarterly and annual operational performance reports on research, consultancy and innovations.
Qualifications
a) Grade 12 certificate or its equivalent.
b) Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field from a reputable University.
c) Master’s degree in any relevant field from a reputable University.
d) Earned PhD in any relevant field or its equivalent.
e) Full Professor and should have served at professorial level (i.e. being associate/full professor) for over 5 years;
f) Post qualification experience preferably in university environment as Faculty or School Chair of Research, Ethics, Knowledge Transfer/Innovation Committees or Director of Research in a research institution.
g) Excellent time management and organizational skills with proven ability in guiding and directing senior research staff in dealing with proposal writing, grant application, establishing research priorities and in delivering complex research programmes.
h) Excellent track record of working with stakeholders for resource mobilization to support research programmes as coordinator, team leader, principal investigator, co-investigator in a university or similar organization, with ability to successfully
implement research projects.
i) Significant publication record with experience in conducting PhD examinations, supervising research programmes including successful PhD and research completion.
j) Significant experience in working across academic disciplines and knowledge of developing research clusters and centres of excellence to improve coordination, quality, and to enhance research outputs and impact.
k) Knowledge of performance management systems for monitoring, tracking and assessing the performance of research projects/programmes of staff, Schools/Faculties, and developing action plans for continuous improvement.
l) Significant experience in PhD student recruitment and securing external sponsored research projects, and other research initiatives.
m) Strong command of English Language with effective information management and research communication skills in writing (such as tailor-made publications for high level policy-makers, ministers, parliamentarians, civil society leaders and other users of
research outputs) and orally (such as in policy dialogues, high level ministerial, international, regional and national conferences and media briefing).
n) Must have proof of valid membership to a professional body.
Attributes & Skills
Desirable Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
a) Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to interact with colleagues and other stakeholders on research, knowledge transfer and innovation projects.
b) Knowledge and the use of technologies and information management software or similar tools for academic research and resource management.
c) Training and experience in strategic planning and managing change in tertiary/higher education sector.
d) Ability to initiate and mount research training across disciplines in the University and with other partners in the country, region and beyond.
a) Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to interact with colleagues and other stakeholders on research, knowledge transfer and innovation projects.
b) Knowledge and the use of technologies and information management software or similar tools for academic research and resource management.
c) Training and experience in strategic planning and managing change in tertiary/higher education sector.
d) Ability to initiate and mount research training across disciplines in the University and with other partners in the country, region and beyond.
Closing Date
Application Process
All applications will be treated in strictest confidence and should comprise a curriculum vitae, copies of certified/validated qualifications and such other material as the applicant may wish to submit. The CV must give full personal particulars including full name, place and date of birth, qualifications, employment and work experience, date of availability, telephone number, e-mail address, names and addresses of three professional referees. Position/s applied for must be clearly indicated on the applications which should be addressed to:
The Chairperson of the Search Committee
C/O Office of the Registrar
The University of Zambia
Great East Road Campus
P O Box 32379
Lusaka
Zambia
Telephone:+260-211-251593
Email: searchcommittee@unza.zm
Applications can be submitted either physically or electronically. Electronic submission of applications must be made through the email address shown below:
Email: searchcommittee@unza.zm
The University of Zambia is an equal opportunity Employer
The Chairperson of the Search Committee
C/O Office of the Registrar
The University of Zambia
Great East Road Campus
P O Box 32379
Lusaka
Zambia
Telephone:+260-211-251593
Email: searchcommittee@unza.zm
Applications can be submitted either physically or electronically. Electronic submission of applications must be made through the email address shown below:
Email: searchcommittee@unza.zm
The University of Zambia is an equal opportunity Employer