Associate Professor/Professor and Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning (Term Appointment)

Faculty: Law

Department: Law Deans Office

FACULTY OF LAW  

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR/PROFESSOR AND DEPUTY DEAN: TEACHING AND LEARNING (TERM APPOINTMENT)

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 4

The University of Pretoria is one of South Africa’s top research-intensive universities, dedicated to producing high-quality, impactful research that addresses complex contemporary issues. It is one of the most significant producers of research and makes a major contribution to postgraduate and postdoctoral fellowship training, as well as nurturing and supporting researchers at different stages of their research careers. It is home to the largest number of National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers. The University has developed infrastructure and a number of research platforms, including the Future Africa Platform, that support multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary research across the institution. The University is continuously expanding its research partnerships and collaborations worldwide.

The University’s nine faculties and business school offer a wide range of internationally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. It offers quality education to a cohort of approximately 55 000 students from across the diversity of the South African population and awards approximately 14% of all degrees conferred annually by public universities in South Africa.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In pursuit of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria invites applications for the position of Associate Professor/Professor and Deputy Dean for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Law.

OVERVIEW OF THE FACULTY OF LAW

The Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria strives to be an internationally recognised leader in socially relevant legal research and education in South Africa and the world. In pursuing its vision, the Faculty’s mission is to create and sustain a research and education environment grounded in the values of social justice and excellence. We have the necessary structures and systems in place to ensure our graduates receive the guidance and support they need to graduate on time.

The Faculty is currently staffed by over 70 dedicated full-time academics, of whom 74% hold doctoral degrees in various fields of law, enabling them to prepare our student community for law-related career opportunities, and fifteen NRF-rated researchers. The Faculty prepares our students to become bespoke jurists and leaders of their communities, enabling them to promote social justice effectively. It has a vibrant student life and active student bodies which pursue the rule of law through excellence.

The Faculty comprises five (5) academic departments and six (6) academic centres, namely: the Centre for Child Law, the Centre for Human Rights, the Centre for Environmental Justice in Africa, the Centre for Medicine and Law, the Centre for Intellectual Property Law, and the Centre for Sport and Entertainment Law. The Faculty is also home to the ABSA Chair in Banking Law, SARChI Chair in International Constitutional Law and the UNESCO Chair in Education Law in Africa. In addition, the Faculty hosts the Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa, the International Development Law Unit, the Extractive Industry Law in Africa Unit, the Unit for Insurance Law in Africa, the Unit for Banking Law in Africa, and the Unit for Business Rescue and Insolvency Law.

The values of the Faculty of Law are fully aligned with those of the University, with the aim of fostering a culture that reflects them. The members of the University of Pretoria Law Faculty believe that the community of scholars must be founded on the pursuit of knowledge through research, teaching and learning, with membership acquired on the basis of intellectual merit, ability and the potential for excellence; and that differing perspectives, arising from diverse backgrounds and histories that define identities, deepen scholarly inquiry and enrich the academic debate.

The Faculty also offers niche programmes in human rights, children’s rights, trade and investment law, intellectual property law, education law, banking law and extractive industries law. The Faculty also hosts a Law Clinic, with two (2) community-based branches in Hatfield and Hammanskraal, and is ranked among the best in South Africa. The Faculty also prides itself on being a distinguished and unequalled national and international track record in moot court competitions over the past decades. The Faculty has also been responsible for the conceptualisation and creation of the national and international moot court competitions, such as the Christof Heyns African Human Rights Competition, Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Competition, South African Schools Competition,  and the Child Law Competition.

POSITION AND APPOINTMENT

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR/PROFESSOR AND DEPUTY DEAN: TEACHING AND LEARNING

The University seeks to appoint an Associate Professor/Professor and Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning, who meets the requirements for the position. The appointment will be in addition to the successful candidate's existing academic appointment and will require at least 50% of their time, as negotiated by the Dean. The Deputy Dean appointment is for a fixed term of four (4) years, and renewal is subject to performance. As part of the Faculty management team, the Deputy Dean will play an essential supportive role, assisting the Dean in developing and managing the Faculty's teaching and learning and community engagement portfolios, as well as fulfilling other functions as delegated by the Executive.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following, amongst other duties:

• Performing academic, managerial, and administrative responsibilities in the Office of the Dean.
• Providing strategic leadership in the development and implementation of the Faculty’s Teaching and Learning strategy. 
• Chairing the Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee.
• Aligning the Faculty teaching priorities with institutional goals and national higher education frameworks. 
• Driving innovation and continuous improvement in teaching and learning, including the promotion of technology use in teaching and learning.
• Promoting innovative and evidence-based teaching methodologies.
• Leading the design, review, and continuous improvement of undergraduate law programmes. 
• Ensuring the curriculum is relevant, responsive, and aligned with societal, legal, and professional developments.
• Leading and supporting inter- and transdisciplinary teaching, as well as curriculum transformation, curricular development and community engagement. 
• Overseeing quality assurance processes relating to teaching and learning. 
• Ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and higher education regulatory requirements. 
• Monitoring academic performance indicators, including pass rates, throughput, and programme effectiveness.
• Supporting academic staff development in pedagogy and assessment practices.
• Fostering a culture of research-informed teaching and continuous professional development.
• Developing and implementing strategies to enhance student success and retention.
• Facilitating capacity-building initiatives in teaching and learning and community engagement. 
• Facilitating liaison between the student body (residences and class representatives), academic staff, Faculty leadership, and external stakeholders. 
• Engaging with professional bodies and relevant external partners to enhance programme relevance.
• Overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of strategic teaching and learning and community engagement initiatives, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate offerings.
• Performing any other duties that may be assigned by the Dean or members of the Executive.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• A relevant doctorate with specialisation in the broad field of law.
• Requisite qualifications and experience to be eligible for appointment as Associate Professor or Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria, the assessment of which is based on several factors, including teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision, community engagement, academic administration, and academic citizenship.
• A minimum of three (3) years of academic management/leadership experience in a higher education institution.
• Proven, ongoing track record of excellence in leading teams in academic programmes development and implementation.
• Proven leadership in developing inter-faculty undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
• Proven experience in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and postgraduate supervision.
• Proven track record in leading teaching excellence initiatives and capacity-building programmes.
• Evidence of a sustained research track record and good publications in accredited, peer-reviewed journals.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Recognised academic status in the broad field of law at the level of associate professor or professor.
• Proven research excellence record and high-quality publications in accredited journals, an established record of teaching accomplishments, and the ability to cultivate a supportive research, teaching, and learning culture.
• Ability to manage the teaching and learning portfolio in the Faculty and provide sound academic leadership and strategic direction.
• Capacity to drive a strong vision within the Faculty on the desired journey aligned with the vision of the University and with due regard to transformation, including curriculum transformation.
• Proven record of innovation and knowledge of the use of online and digital tools in managing teaching and learning.
• Proven ability to develop and implement Faculty teaching and learning strategies.
• Experience aligning teaching initiatives with institutional strategy and national higher education priorities.
• Ability to drive student success, retention, and throughput improvement initiatives.
• Ability to lead the integration of research into teaching and curriculum design.
• Proven track record in leading curriculum transformation and renewal.
• Knowledge and experience in the use of technology in teaching and learning.
• Proven experience in leading and successfully implementing fundraising initiatives. 
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Excellent liaison skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent technological skills.
• Excellent communication and appropriate language skills.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES

• Experience in leading an academic department in a higher education environment.
• Experience in academic staff development.
• NRF rating.

REMUNERATION AND APPOINTMENT

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent's level of appointment as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the Bestmed and Umvuzo medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

The Deputy Deanship is a term appointment and is aligned with the term of appointment of the Dean. The Deputy Dean appointment will be in addition to the successful candidate’s academic appointment. External candidates will also be considered for a permanent academic appointment in a suitable academic department.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Regulation and Procedure for the Appointment of Deans and Deputy Deans is available via the link below. By applying, applicants consent to the appointment process as detailed in the regulations and procedure.

https://www1.up.ac.za/cs/sf/UPPR017377 - Regulation and Procedure for the Appointment of Deans and Deputy Deans (R63/19)

Applicants are requested to apply for the position online at www.up.ac.za: select About UP, click Career Opportunities, click Browse and select the position that they are applying.

The following documents must be attached when applying for this position:

• A cover letter and a comprehensive CV detailing academic and professional qualifications, and a full employment history.
• Certified copies of qualifications.
• A self-evaluation of your suitability for appointment in the position.
• Vision for teaching and learning portfolio in the Faculty of Education in the national and international context.
• Teaching portfolio, which includes a teaching and learning philosophy.
• Research portfolio (including record of citation index scores).
• The names and contact details of at least three referees (one national and two international) who can attest to your academic stature and leadership qualities. The University reserves the right to appoint and consult its own referees.

All shortlisted candidates will be requested to prepare a presentation. The topic and further details of the presentation will be provided only to shortlisted candidates.

Applications that do not comply with the minimum requirements, are incomplete, or are received after the closing date will not be considered.

CLOSING DATE: 24 July 2026

ENQUIRIES:

Professor Steve Cornelius, email: [email protected], for position-related enquiries.

Jeovitah Chimhamhiwa, Tel: 012 420 6149 or email: [email protected] for enquiries about the application process.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 October 2026, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity, and diversity.

Under the University's Employment Equity Plan and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given to, but is not limited to, candidates from under-represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the appointment requirements are invited to apply. 

By applying for this vacancy, candidates consent to undergo verification of their personal credentials and related information, including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record (including sexual offences), credit record, and current and historic disciplinary proceedings, as part of the selection process.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right not to fill the advertised position.