Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, December 03 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Job Overview
The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation is a key strategic position which provides an exciting opportunity for the successful candidates to play a major role in achieving MKU’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 in the Schools and Librarian in the University Library 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 caliber to support research, knowledge transfer and innovation.
He/she must have attained full professional status with an excellent track record of leadership and academic achievements, including international research experience, resource mobilization. Co-coordinating research and innovation programme, 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 leadResearch projects at global as well as SADC and AU levels. Evidence of experience of being part of research teams, committees, or/and leading research programmes or institutes with visible public policy impact globally, the SADC region and in Zambia will be a valuable and an added advantage.
He/she shall hold office for 4 years and may be eligible for re-appointment for another term with the approval of the Council.Key tasks and responsibilities includes:

(a) Leadership
• Providing 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 environment impact.
• 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.
• Provide strategic partnerships with Government Policy makers, private sector, and civil society, national and international partners to sensitize them on the University’s research strategy and to develop research programmes to respond to the priorities of various stakeholders.
• 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.
• 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 student’s experience.
• 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.
b) Resource mobilization
• Develop a resource mobilization strategy to attract funding for research and consultancy.
• 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.
• Work closely with internal/external stakeholders to support the development of philanthropic giving for investment in research and innovation.
• Develop bilateral relationships of mutual benefit to generate funding for research and consultancy, working with partner Universities, regional, national and international alliances and networks.
• 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.
(c) Coordinating research and innovation programmes
• Oversee the planning and delivery of the University’s research, knowledge transfer and innovation programmes.
• Initiate policies, processes, and structures aimed at developing a research culture, improving quality, and enhancing the dissemination and impact of research outputs.
• Promote interdisciplinary research in the University’s funding Programme to ensure that priority activities are considered with targets to track progress.
• 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.
• Coordinate performance reviews to assess skills/aspirations of research staff, and introduce training opportunities based on the development needs of staff.
(d) Managing and administering research award schemes
• 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.
• Foster excellence in research and knowledge transfer through critical evaluation of proposals for quality, effectiveness and impact.
• Negotiate and manage external research contracts and consultancies
• Support the Director of Research and Consultancy to deliver the University’s medium and long-term research priorities and aspirations.
• Provide support to staff and students engaged in research and consultancy.
• Set standards for research, branding, quality assurance and control

(e) 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 in 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;
• Ensuring the formulation, implementation and review of policies and strategies pertaining to Research, Consultancy and Innovation.
• Providing oversight on all research, innovation and consultancy functions of the University.
• Serving as the Chairperson of the Research, Consultancy and innovations Boards.
• 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.
• Leading in ensuring that the University generates revenue through research, consultancy and innovation, required for effective operations of the research and innovation function of the University.
• 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 innovation.
• Establishing links and collaborations with other universities, research institutions and any other beneficial organizations both at national and international levels.
• Providing leadership and strategic direction in all matters relating to alumni advancement and international relations.
• Ensuring preparation of quarterly and annual operational performance reports on research, consultancy and innovation.

Essential Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
(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) Minimum Associate Professor with over 5 years’ experience relevance at professorial level.
(f) Significant publication with minimum H-index of 10, with experience in conducting PhD examinations, supervising research programmes including successful PhD and research completion.
(g) Experience preferably in University environment as Faculty or Chair of: Research, Research Ethics, Knowledge Transfer/Innovation Committees or Director of Research in a research institution.
(h) Excellent managerial 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.
(i) 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.
(j) Significant experience in working across academic disciplines and knowledge of developing research clusters and centers of excellence to improve coordination, quality, and to enhance research outputs and impact.
(k) Knowledge and experience of performance management systems for monitoring of staff, School/Faculties, and developing action plans for continuous improvements.
(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 andresearch communication skills.
(n) Must have proof of valid membership to a professional body.

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.
(e) Training and experience in strategic planning and managing change in tertiary/higher education sector.

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months:

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
• Interested candidates who meet the specified requirements should apply enclosing their detailed curriculum vitae, copies of educational certificates certified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority, names and addresses of three traceable references and contact address/telephone/e-mail details.
• The position should be clearly marked on the envelope
• Applications to be sent to:
• The Search Committee,
• Mukuba University,
• P.O. Box 20382,
• KITWE
• Email: registrar@mukuba.edu.zm 
• Closing date: 12th December 2024.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• Mukuba University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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