Head of the Department of Nursing Education

The University of the Witwatersrand invites applications from suitably qualified, dynamic and visionary academic leaders for appointment as Head of the Department of Nursing Education within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished academic and strategic leader with an established record of excellence in teaching, research and academic leadership.

The appointee will provide strategic direction to the Department, advance nursing education, research and innovation, develop the next generation of nursing practitioners, educators and researchers, and build collaborative relationships with the Gauteng Department of Health and other key stakeholders to advance the department's academic and professional mission.

Minimum Requirements:

• A PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification in Nursing or a related discipline.
• An established record of scholarship, including research publications and postgraduate supervision, appropriate for appointment to the professoriate at the level of Adjunct Professor, Associate Professor or Professor.
• A proven track record of teaching, research and academic leadership within a higher education environment.

Professional Registration:

• Current registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse and Nurse Educator
• Registered as a constituent Assessor and Moderator with the SANC and/or a recognised Quality Council
• A recognised Nursing Management qualification registered with the SANC, or an equivalent management qualification acceptable under the applicable SANC requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• At least five (5) years' experience in a senior leadership or management position, with experience in leading academic programmes, nursing education or research programmes, preferably within a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated leadership in strategic planning, governance, financial and human resource management.
• Experience in undergraduate and postgraduate nursing education.
• Knowledge of curriculum development, online and concept-based curricula, and educational innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate digital technologies into teaching, learning and research.
• Sound knowledge of the Higher Education Act, the South African Nursing Act, the SANC regulatory framework, the Council on Higher Education (CHE), the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and other relevant legislative and accreditation requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management:

• Provide strategic leadership and effective management of the Department in alignment with the University's strategic priorities.
• Lead and develop academic and professional staff while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, transformation and innovation.
• Ensure sound governance, financial stewardship, resource management and compliance with University policies and relevant legislation.

Teaching, Learning and Academic Excellence:

• Lead the development, implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement of undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes.
• Promote excellence in teaching, learning and student success.
• Ensure programme quality, accreditation and regulatory compliance.

Research, Scholarship and Innovation:

• Grow the Department's research profile and scholarly output.
• Foster interdisciplinary research, innovation and postgraduate supervision.
• Create an enabling environment for nursing research, education and professional practice.

Strategic Partnerships and Academic Citizenship:

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with the Gauteng Department of Health, clinical training platforms, professional councils, regulatory bodies, healthcare institutions and national and international academic partners.
• Promote the Department's reputation through collaboration, academic leadership, professional engagement and community service.

Term of Appointment - The successful candidate will be appointed as Head of Department for a fixed term of five (5) years, renewable for a second term subject to satisfactory performance and the University's approval processes.

Where the successful candidate is appointed from outside the University and successfully completes the Headship, they will, upon completion of their final successful term of office, transfer to a continuous academic appointment at an appropriate academic level within the relevant discipline.

Where an incumbent applies for, but is not appointed to, a second term as Head, the provision for transfer to a continuous academic post shall not apply.

In such instances, the incumbent's appointment will conclude at the end of their current term.

All candidates who meet the minimum requirements are encouraged to apply

How to Apply:

Please apply via i-Recruitment https://irec.wits.ac.za by 31 July 2026. Submit a covering letter clearly indicating which post you are applying for, a detailed CV with names, addresses, contact numbers and e-mail addresses of 3 referees via i-Recruitment https://irec.wits.ac.za