Senior Lecturer in Community Engagement

The Division of Community Engagement invites suitably qualified candidates to join their team.

Main Objectives

All academics are responsible for the dissemination of knowledge (teaching and learning), creation of knowledge (research) and community engagement, recognising that there are differences in the execution of these responsibilities within the various departments and Faculties. Academics are also expected to assume some administrative, management and/or leadership duties at the departmental, Faculty and/or University level.

For this role, the incumbent is expected to provide academic leadership to Academics in the teaching-research-community engagement nexus. There are three main objectives listed below.

• The first is to work with Academics and Academic Departments to:
  1. Enhance the quality of institutional external engagement with communities and university partners through Community-Based Participatory Research.
  2. Accelerate the impact and quality of Engaged Research (ER) initiatives and projects run by academics and departments at Rhodes University.
  3. Build meaningful relationships with community partner organisations in Makhanda, assisting in brokering strategic partnerships between the community and the university
  4. Develop and establish an Engaged Research course for students, staff at Rhodes University and local community partner organisations.
  5. Support researchers and lecturers in developing innovative engagement
  6. Implement mechanisms to capture evidence of initiatives, impact, and quality of engaged research
  7. Establish monitoring and evaluation (M&E) support strategies for ER and reporting on ER at RU.

• The second main objective is to make critical and original contributions to CE scholarship at local, national and international levels by generating community engagement knowledge by publishing articles for newspapers and pamphlets, writing scholarly papers for accredited/peer-reviewed academic journals, and presenting research at conferences.

• The third main objective is to coordinate an engaged volunteer programme, theorising and promoting a scholarly, asset-based approach to community engagement at Rhodes University. Participate in the strategic management and oversight of the program's development, implementation, and M&E systems.

The Requirements

Senior Lecturer

• At least a PhD in a relevant discipline, preferably Humanities or Social Science.
• Experience in Community Development
• Experience in Community Engagement
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels is required.
• Experience in conducting Community-Based Participatory Research.
• Research supervision of at least a Masters degree is required.
• Emerging national profile in the discipline.
• Track record of administration, management and/or leadership roles (leadership roles may be informal).

Please refer to the Role Profile for the full minimum requirements linked to this position.

Application Process

It is essential that prospective candidates read the role profile and further particulars document for further information and ensure that all relevant documentation is submitted.

The following documents are required:

• A comprehensive CV, highlighting publications in Scholarly Journals in Scholarship of Community Engagement and relevant qualifications which should include the following: -
  • Reasons for leaving your current and previous
  • At least three referees who are and/or were your direct line manager, their title, name,designation and contact information which should be at least their contact number and email  address.

• A strong and succinct motivation which tells us your interest in the post and suitability relative to the job requirements.

Please note, no hand-written applications will be considered. Failure to submit all documentation will result in an application being disqualified.

Any questions or enquiries regarding the submission of an application can be submitted to [email protected]. 

Selection Process:

• The selection process that will be followed for this post will include a presentation and an interview.
• Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the interview

Remuneration per annum:

Senior Lecturer

   Basic Pensionable Salary per annum:                         R783 243

   Cost to Company per annum (Approximately):           R1 013 469

All applications will be treated in strict confidence. This post is advertised as a permanent post, but the University may opt to appoint on a fixed-term contract of not less than three years. The University reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post. An application in and of itself does not entitle the applicant to an interview. Employment checks will be conducted on recommended candidates.

Closing Date: 6 June 2025

If you are not contacted within 30 days from the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Recognising that diversity is important in achieving excellence. Rhodes University strongly encourages South African members of underrepresented designated groups as well as persons with disabilities to apply. Spouses and partners of existing staff members are also encouraged to apply. Please note all appointments are made in line with the requirements of the Employment Equity Act of 55 of 1998, as amended, the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2022 and the University's Recruitment and Selection policies.

Our core values and principles are the foundation of our commitment to creating a positive, supportive, and enabling environment. These values guide our decisions, actions, and how we engage with each other as we work to achieve our vision and mission.

These values are:

Diversity; Integrity; Respect; Excellence; Collegiality and Compassion