Dean: Faculty of Education (5-year fixed-term, performance-based contract) Re-advertisement

Faculty Education Department Cape Peninsula University of Technology -> Education Campus/ Location Mowbray Campus - Mowbray, Cape Town, WC ZA (Primary)

Job Type Contract Occupational Function Academic Number of Positions 1 Annual Salary Package (incl. Medical Aid rate based on principal member only) Peromnes Grade 4: Package negotiable Advert Closing Date 6/9/2026 Job Purpose The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is the largest higher education institution and the only University of Technology in the Western Cape. With over 40,000 students distributed across five campuses and six academic Faculties, it offers over 70 academic programmes. CPUT is One Smart University striving to be a formidable and futuristic institution. Central to this vision are institutional characteristics of Oneness and Smartness, demonstrated through a culture of ethics and integrity, restoration, unity, passion, accountability, and technological astuteness. CPUT’s focus is on excellence, which is articulated through its Strategic Plan, Vision 2030, of One Smart CPUT across dimensions of Oneness (human-centricity, shared identity and values, and a smart society that values unity in diversity) and Smartness (smart people, technological developments and innovations). Vision 2030 articulates our ambition to be a Smart institution through our offerings and operations, and calls for a pragmatic, strategic visionary, inclusive and ethical leader to sustain and preserve the University’s incredible legacy, and the drive towards a One Smart CPUT.

To this end, CPUT seeks to appoint a reputable, values-led, and a strategic visionary who is passionate about a student-centred approach to academic leadership. The successful candidate will have a commitment to deepening and expanding the University’s academic and research agenda, the contribution of their role to its success, and the uniqueness; and importance of CPUT in the socioeconomic, technological, and digital landscape of South Africa’s Higher Education.

The Faculty of Education (FEd), based on two campuses, Mowbray and Wellington, is the largest teacher education provider in the Western Cape, with a wider catchment area from which its students are drawn. The Faculty prides itself in growing what is known as a ‘noble profession’ – a service-oriented profession critical to future generations. The Faculty’s core business is teacher education, through undergraduate, postgraduate, and further education and training qualifications. The FEd hosts a research entity, namely, Global Institute for Teacher Education and Society; and also, two NRF Research Chairs, namely, Research Chair in Teacher Education, and Research Chair in Transformative Education, Social Justice, and Innovation. It focuses, amongst others, on science and mathematics, early-childhood development, language in the curriculum, education policy and implementation, educational technology innovation, and inclusive education, all within the diverse social contexts and realities in South African education. This hub of excellence impacts current and future education paradigms and practices in the country, as well as the wider African continent, and globally.

The successful candidate for the Dean: FEd, will be an established, ethical, strategic, student-centred academic leader bearing a scholarship profile at the full Professor/ Associate Professor level, and in alignment with CPUT’s Academic Staff Promotion Policy. The incumbent will have a commitment to the University’s academic and research agenda, and the uniqueness and importance of CPUT’s socio-economic and technological advancement in South Africa.

The ideal candidate will, amongst others, drive the following:

• The University’s strategy, mission, and vision, and the associated values of ethical, sound, strategic and operational leadership, as well as effective administrative management;
• Quality teaching through our Smart Learning and Teaching agenda;
• Smart Research, Technology/technological Innovation and Partnerships;
• Incorporating the University’s smart engagement agenda, technological development and innovation in meaningful ways;
• Sustaining and advancing a vibrant, high-quality and expanding postgraduate programme environment; and
• Transformation and employment equity imperatives. Job Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• A Doctoral degree in the field of Education in one of the disciplines offered at the Education Faculty at CPUT.
• At least 8 years of proven experience in academic management and administration at senior faculty management level (e.g. Assistant/Deputy Dean, Head of Department/ School, etc.) or equivalent academic structure.
• Experience in learning and teaching, research, technology innovation and creative scholarship, community engagement and partnerships, leadership management and administration commensurate with the CPUT professorial level (Full Professor/ Associate Professor).
• Proven track record in successful postgraduate supervision.
• Proven track record of research excellence inclusive of fundraising experience.
• Demonstrable track record of DHET-accredited publications in recognized peer reviewed journals.
• A track record of developing and maintaining relationships with the industry, professional bodies/ associations, national and international communities.
• A thorough understanding of the South African Public Higher Education landscape. Key Performance Areas / Principal Accountabilities 1. MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

Plans, organises, co-ordinates and controls the human and physical resources of departments, faculty office and programmes offered within the faculty.

• Determines staff needs and requirements resulting from strategies objectives and priorities.
• Provides, allocates and monitors the effective utilisation of the physical resources of the Faculty.
• Manages the resources of the faculty in such a manner that the mission, aims and objectives are achieved; uses surveys and analyses of the external and internal environment as well as the setting/utilisation of resources, (space and equipment).
• Deploys resources to achieve faculty goals and institutional goals.
• Provides leadership in monitoring and administration the operations of the faculty office in respect of student applications, registrations, record keeping, examinations and application of results and in-service-training.
• Suggests, develops, recommends and promotes new programmes as circumstances change or in anticipation of changes in demand, the environment (social, political, economic, geographical), competition and regulations and government policies.
• Makes strategic decisions regarding continuation/deployment of resources and programmes.

2. ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

Demonstrates as an acknowledged specialist in recognised field, academic and professional leadership in the faculty, institution and higher education field

• Actively serves on bodies representative of/ relating to the relevant field of study, preferably in an executive capacity in recognition of expertise.
• Participates in conferences, inter alia as guest/key note speaker to present/ address contemporary academic issues.
• Contributes to recognised academic journals.
• Lectures and/or provides research guidance at the higher academic levels in a relevant specialist field, demonstrating subject mastery and teaching/research expertise.
• Keeps abreast of current trends in curriculum design, NQF/SAQA developments, etc., motivating staff by acting as role model.
• Sets examples in lifelong learning and keeps abreast of developments in relevant fields of expertise.
• Imposes on the academic staff the need and drive for creating, obtaining and maintaining high academic standards and achievements in teaching, research and cooperative education and enforcement of policies and procedures of the University and the faculty in terms of the vision and mission of the