Director: Community Engagement Unit – (2033)

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is looking for a senior leader to fill the role of Director: Community Engagement Unit (CEU). This vital position is based in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and is key to integrating the Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact (SoE-SI) across all university activities. UWC, with its strong legacy of social justice and transformation, aims for the CEU to build lasting partnerships, promote institutional learning, and encourage public engagement.

The Director will strategically lead the CEU, making it a dynamic centre for engaged scholarship. You will be responsible for embedding community engagement (CE) throughout teaching, learning, research, and outreach. This includes developing CE policies, encouraging interdisciplinary knowledge sharing, and boosting UWC’s profile in national and international community engagement efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement UWC’s community engagement strategy, ensuring it aligns with the university’s overall plan. Integrate CE into governance, curriculum, academic promotions, and research. Contribute to national and global discussions on higher education and community engagement.
• Academic Integration: Promote CE as a scholarly field through research and publications. Support the inclusion of CE in undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and lead the creation of specific CEU modules.
• Partnerships: Build and manage fair and effective partnerships with communities, NGOs, government, and international organizations. Facilitate collaborative knowledge creation and support community-led initiatives. Represent UWC in key CE collaborations.
• Programme Development: Oversee CEU’s role in accreditation processes and create guidelines for CE integration. Lead curriculum design and training programmes, monitoring the impact of CE initiatives.
• Operational & Financial Management: Ensure efficient administration, human resources, and budget management for the CEU. Develop systems to measure CE’s institutional impact and use digital tools to enhance CE practices.
• Fundraising: Prepare funding proposals and donor reports. Implement development strategies and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Public Engagement: Enhance UWC’s public image through CEU outputs like media campaigns, newsletters, and alumni stories. Develop CE award criteria and advocate for CE in higher education policy.
• Staff Leadership: Mentor and develop CEU staff, providing training and professional growth opportunities. Build CE competencies among UWC academics and administrators.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications and Experience:

• A Doctoral degree (PhD) in a relevant field.
• Eligible for appointment at Professor or Associate Professor level.
• At least 10 years’ experience in higher education, including 5 years in senior leadership roles.
• Proven track record in engaged scholarship, curriculum transformation, and partnership development.
• Demonstrated expertise in Community Engagement within African or Global South contexts.

Key Competencies:

• Visionary leadership, able to align CE initiatives with institutional, national, and global goals.
• Deep understanding of CE theory, policy, and practice, including quality assurance.
• Strong skills in curriculum development and participatory teaching methods.
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and public engagement abilities.
• Capacity to mobilise resources, manage teams, and implement CE strategies effectively.
• Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and decolonial leadership, especially in contexts of social inequality and trauma.

How to Apply

If you meet the requirements and are passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply!

In your application, please highlight your strengths and any exceptional achievements. You must attach a cover letter explaining why you are suitable for this position, a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including contact details for three referees, and copies of your highest qualification to your online profile.

To be considered for this vacancy, please apply directly via UWC Careers using the link below:

For any queries, you may contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/9763/9708/3551/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za.

Important Information

By applying, you consent to UWC sharing your application details with University stakeholders for processing. In line with UWC’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates, and may conduct competency assessments.