Vice-Chancellor

Job Overview 
The role of the Vice-Chancellor is to provide the strategic vision and leadership required to ensure the prosperity and success of the University of Zambia. The University has a distinctive and high-performing position within the higher education sector in Zambia and beyond. The Vice-Chancellor must be able to build upon its historical and current strengths to ensure that the institution continues to be a leading University whilst making valuable contributions to the nation’s economy, and society in general, on issues related to its mission. The positioning of the institution, in the current time of considerable change within the nation, region and global world, will be of particular importance, and the ability of the Vice-Chancellor to ensure the sustainability of the University in the light of external developments will be critical. The Vice-Chancellor should be a strategic thinker, leader and visionary to grow the University with regards to quality, and contribution to society; lead change management and must have a proven track record as an academic leader who creates successful teams that generate measurable outcomes with visible societal impact.

He/she must have attained full professorial status with an excellent track record of leadership and academic achievements, including high-level international research experience, resource mobilization and coordinating academic programmes in the country, SADC region and beyond.

The Vice-Chancellor will be responsible for, and will be expected to demonstrate, success in the following broad areas: clear vision and strategy, leadership, governance, organisational management, academic management, developing an external profile, creating new sources of income and mobilizing the University community to the desired mission of the institution.
 

Faculty
Council
Positions
1
Duration
5 Years
Responisbilities
VISION AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF THE UNIVERISTY
a) Provide institutional vision and strategic direction in a complex working environment, and to lead the implementation in such a way that it inspires, engages all stakeholders and ensure the participation and support of the University community.
b) Provide strategic academic vision of the University, and the need to maintain high standards across all areas of its academic activities in the context of the national policy developments and emerging issues within the higher education sector.
c) Provide innovative strategy development and to make practical and sustainable choices among multiple strategic imperatives so that the University’s forward planning is both realistic and resource efficient.
LEADERSHIP
a) Provide leadership for this highly complex organisation with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
b) Provide an environment of adaptability and responsiveness to a fast-moving external environment, an essential requirement of a modern university.
c) Foster team building, motivation of staff and drive succession planning and leading change as appropriate.
d) Inspiring, engaging and motivating large teams of people undertaking disparate functions to ensure that they understand and are aligned with and feel connected to common institutional objectives.
RESOURCE MOBILIISATION AND EXTERNAL SUPPORT
a) Develop an institutional resource mobilisation strategy to deliver significant new funding streams for the University.
b) Lead the University’s internal/external stakeholders to support the development of philanthropic ventures for the benefit of the University.
c) Develop bilateral relationships with government, private sector and other lead organizations as well as working with partner universities to create national, regional, and international alliances and networks.
GOVERNANCE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Reporting to the Chairperson of the University Council, the Vice-Chancellor shall be responsible for planning, organising, co-ordinating and directing the operations of the University as directed by the University Council and in accordance 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) Overseeing the formulation, implementation and review of all University Policies and the Strategic Plan.
b) Overseeing the operations of the University in all its core functions of teaching, research and community service, and ensuring effective risk management.
c) Serving as Chairperson of the University of Zambia Senate, Procurement Committee, Executive Management Committee and any other appropriate management committees.
d) Presiding over employee performance management and leading in building a competent, experienced and motivated workforce.
e) Ensuring that the operations of the University comply with all the University Policies and applicable national laws.
f) Overseeing the process of budgeting and leading in the mobilisation of resources required for the operations of the University, and ensuring that resources are utilised prudently.
g) Presiding over graduation ceremonies of the University.
h) Fostering high value linkages and managing all stakeholders.
i) Representing the University at various local and international fora.
j) Ensuring the preparation of quarterly and annual operational performance reports and submitting the same to the University Council.
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, should have served at professorial level (i.e. being associate/full professor) for over 5 years;
f) Minimum of fifteen (15)years relevant post-qualifying experience in university education or equivalent institutions, with a distinguished track record of successful senior management experience in higher education and/or relevant corporate Institutions
g) A strong record of academic leadership and personal achievement in both teaching and research;
h) a strong record as an academic leader at an institution similar enough to make the experience transferable;
i) Strategic thinking capability with excellent and proven leadership skills;
j) Experience in financial management, investment, business, budgeting as well as short, medium- and long-term planning for organizational operations;
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; and
l) 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.
b) Knowledge in the use of technologies and information management software or similar tools for academic management.
c) Prior successful work on academic themes the university is presently focused on (e.g., inclusion, building graduate programs, improving graduation rates)
d) Training and experience in strategic planning and managing change in tertiary/higher education sector.
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
Attachment
Advert for VC and DVC postions at UNZA.pdf