Chief Officer: Academic Planning (Post Level 8): DIRAP (Job ID: 5870) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

• Offer programme design and development support and design to academics through consultation, training and relevant resources in developing the programmes and modules of the university
• Screen all proposals of programmes to ensure that the programmes follow strategic direction in terms of responding to the labour market needs/trends and realising the vision, mission, strategic goals and PQM of the University.
• Screen the content and design of programmes to ensure effective alignment of the programmes and modules to the institution’s teaching and learning, assessment and quality assurance policies and strategies.
• Screen programme and modules for effectively alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF), other higher education frameworks and policies, accreditation standards and requirements of relevant authorities (CHE, DHET, SAQA and professional bodies).
• Ensure that the delivery of the programmes ensure appropriate teaching and learning and assessment strategies for on-campus, remote and HyFlex (Hybrid-Flexible) modes of delivery.
• Analyse programme proposals to ensure that the programmes meet appropriate requirements of curriculum design credibility, and that the curriculum is appropriately designed in consistence with the intended learning experiences, outcomes and competencies.
• Provide professional support and guidance through consultation, training and relevant resources to academics and relevant support services personnel on the implementation of quality assurance processes, procedures and monitoring provisions.
• Participate in planning and facilitating quality reviews, module/teaching evaluations, and other quality assurance initiatives.
• Establish a quality management system, including policies, processes, procedures, and guidelines for HyFlex teaching, learning, and assessment.
• Develop, review and implement relevant policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures to ensure appropriate handling of programme data and information.
•  Facilitate programme information and data platforms of the Academic Planning Unit of DIRAP.
• Conduct audits on the PQM and associated platforms to ensure accuracy of the information and data of the programmes continually.
• Verify programme information and data for processing according to the different systems and needs of stakeholders of the University.
• Plan, promote, coordinate and facilitate various academic planning and quality assurance related special projects and events.
• Write and review academic planning and quality related programme proposals/applications, reports and other documentation/submissions to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with accreditation and/or other relevant requirements. prior to submission to the relevant university structures.
• Engage in self-directed professional reading, professional liaison with colleagues, and other professional development interventions to remain competent and abreast with the developments in higher education academic planning and quality assurance practice.
• Fulfil all responsibilities regarding performance management.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• Honours degree/ Postgraduate Diploma on NQF Level 8 in Higher Education, Curriculum Studies, Educational Technologies or related field. 
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in curriculum practice, instructional design or academic planning and quality assurance within a Higher Education environment.    

Recommendations:

• Master’s Degree on NQF Level 9 is an added advantage.
• Research and academic support experience in the areas of curriculum development and implementation
• Higher education curriculum theories, emerging practices and research.
• Instructional and learning design theories, emerging practices and research.
• South African Higher Education and Training (DHET, SAQA and CHE) legislation and policies.
• Higher education accreditation and quality management processes.