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University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa Head: School of Medicine

ACU Ref: 58988
Closing Date: 13 January 2012

The University of the Free State (UFS) is recognised as a centre of academic excellence through relevant education, critical reflection, and pure and applied research. The University is also engaged in a deliberate and sustained programme to accelerate transformation, which will advance human rights and constitutional freedoms, eliminate discrimination, and guarantee equality for staff and students.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the UFS renders a quality healthcare service to meet the diverse healthcare needs of South Africa, taking into consideration the four pillars of tertiary education: teaching and learning, research, community service, and service delivery. The Health Sciences Faculty is considered one of the best in the country and is proud of the high-quality healthcare professionals it produces. In today’s competitive marketplace, it is of critical importance to ensure that a faculty follows a consistent approach to higher education and service delivery. The Faculty of Health Sciences is extensively involved in the integration of healthcare-delivery projects and community service.

Against this background, the Council of the University invites applications from suitable candidates for this very exciting, challenging and prestigious post of:

Head: School of Medicine
Ref: H1112-032

Duties and responsibilities:
• Accept full-time responsibility as a member of the Faculty management structure (in consultation with the relevant academic departments and academic leadership and management) for the School’s academic programmes and research, as well as the service delivery that is unique to the School.
• Establish the required infrastructure and decision-making structure; responsible for the overarching applicable support functions at the Faculty/University.
• Liaise with the relevant authorities regarding the optimal utilisation of service platforms, academic hospitals and the private sector for the School’s academic programmes, research and community service.
• Actively participate in the management of the Faculty of Health Sciences under the leadership of the Dean.
• Lead the strengthening of research, scholarship, reconciliation and social justice as critical foci within the School.
• Further innovation in Teaching and Learning (including simulation and technology) that the School is known for.
• Take a leadership role in national and regional medicine and health care affairs in the interest of the School and its wider community.
• Manage the strategic and day-to-day affairs of the School of Medicine within the Faculty of Health Sciences – apply sound leadership and managerial skills.

Requirements:
• Proven academic and research stature and expertise in an academic environment.
• An appropriate postgraduate qualification in any discipline in Medicine that is registerable as a specialist with the HPCSA.
• Appointable as Professor in a Department in the Faculty.
• Management experience in an academic and/or clinic service department in the Faculty and/or academic hospital.
• A dynamic status as set out in the UFS Academic Appointment and Promotion Policy, and appointability at the academic status level as required for the post.

Recommendations:
• Experience in interaction with professional health councils, professional bodies/management bodies in the public and corporate health environments, both nationally and internationally.
• Experience in formulating marketing strategies and executing suitable actions.
• A Doctoral qualification.
• Must be willing/prepared to render limited professional services.
• Knowledge of another South African language.
• Skills in transformation management.
• Experience in project and financial management.

Term of office: Five years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term.

Assumption of duties: As agreed upon.

Closing date: 13 January 2012

Salary: Details regarding the remuneration package are available on request.

Fringe benefits (subject to certain conditions):
Pension scheme, medical aid, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus, study benefits and other allowances linked to the seniority of the post.

General: Applications will be considered irrespective of the gender, race or religion of the applicant.

Candidates must be prepared to participate in an approved appointment procedure which will include the following: Probing of management profile; interviews before a selection committee; a public appearance before the Faculty Board of the Faculty of School of Medicine; making available certified copies of degree certificates and testimonials; and must not object to confidential referee reports being requested.

Applications to be submitted to:
Applications accompanied by an abridged CV (maximum two pages) as well as a detailed CV, declaration of intent, reports by at least three referees and certified copies of degree certificates, must be forwarded to: The Senior Director, Human Resources, for the attention: Mr L S Geyer, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa, or e-mailed to geyerls@ufs.ac.za.

Enquiries:
Professor G van Zyl: tel: +27 51 405 3012, e-mail: vanzylgj@ufs.ac.za OR Mr L S Geyer: tel: +27 51 401 2820, e-mail: geyerls@ufs.ac.za.

Please indicate the reference number and the post you are applying for on your application. Applications with no reference number will not be considered.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The University is committed to employment equity.