VACANCIES

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Applications are invited for the post of University Vice Chancellor at the University of Blantyre Synod which was accredited in June 2021 by NCHE.  The position is based in Blantyre and is a 2 year contract subject to renewal and our vision is a faith-based centre of excellence in higher education that develops the joy of sharing, searching for, discovering and communicating about truth, ideas and skills in Malawi.

Job Summary

As part of the Chancellor's Office, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs provides the executive leadership in assisting the Chancellor in the overall planning, organizing, and controlling of the academic program areas. Serves as the principal assistant and advisor to the Proprietor in all academic matters.

The Vice Chancellor of University of Blantyre Synod (VCUBS) is responsible for providing the vision and strategic planning necessary to develop and sustain enduring relationships, provide public visibility, awareness, and support for the University’s mission, and create high level, personalized cultivation and solicitation programs that enable UBS to provide educational, research, and public service opportunities, create knowledge, and transform lives.

The Vice Chancellor shall hold a crucial position in terms of leadership and management. He/she shall hold many responsibilities that are essential in maintaining the sustainability of the University of CCAP Blantyre Synod. The Vice Chancellor shall possess strong overall knowledge and personal skills in many different areas in order to be a successful and efficient leader. The Vice Chancellor shall lead the organization in developing the academic model, financial resources, organizational infrastructure, culture, and competencies necessary to achieve its mission.

The position shall demand a passion for building sustainable academic programs, relationships, research and knowledge Reporting to the Board of Governors, the Vice Chancellor will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for University of Blantyre Synods staff, programs, resource mobilization, expansion, and execution of its mission. The Vice Chancellors shall have deep knowledge of core programs, will have a full understanding of the fundraising and Higher Education landscape in Malawi, and will ensure that the organization operates efficiently within the approved budget and in full compliance with Malawi government regulations.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

The Vice Chancellor is the highest authority within the UBS, with responsibilities that include the following:

• Provides leadership to ensure that the UBS organization functions at the
level required to support a major public research university;

• 
  Develops and implements strategies to effectively integrate the University’s advancement program with its academic goals and activities;
• 
  Responsible for directing and executing an ambitious fundraising agenda and an integrated external relations program;
• 
  Represents the University to a variety of external constituencies including, but not limited to, civic leaders, volunteers, donors, and alumni;
• Develops budgetary strategies for a division composed of multiple operating faculties, oversees and administers the allocation of funds within and among the divisions and develops mechanisms to facilitate effective financial performance and accountability;
• 
  Serves as the senior advisor to the Chancellor/Proprietor on a wide range of issues, including long-term planning, development and implementation of programs designed to enhance understanding of the University among public and private constituencies;
• 
  Develops, maintains and enhances effective working relationships with key executive staff in the Office of the President, as well as with senior administrative and academic leadership of sister campuses.

ROLES

1. Create a Vision for the organization

• The Vice Chancellor shall be responsible for creating a clear vision that is shared with others in order to provide unity within an organization.
• The Vice Chancellors shall ensure that his/her co-workers understand the vision and are inspired by it.
• He/she shall think about the future—anticipating where the organization is going and what opportunities lie ahead.
• He/she shall have a strong and thorough understanding of the organization’s mission.
• He/she shall be deeply committed to the mission and the context in which it operates.
• He/she shall ensure that the organization stays on track with the vision and ensure that the organization effectively accomplish future goals.

2. Lead and Manage

• He/she shall be responsible for leading and managing the organization.
• He/she shall be responsible for hiring and managing the rest of the staff. This excludes the Board of Governors who are above the Vice Chancellor and are responsible for hiring him/her.
• He/she shall make sure that programs are being efficiently run and that staff is fulfilling their responsibilities, whether in teams or individually.
• He/she shall be responsible for motivating staff members. This shall mean but not limited to
  • Motivating employees by being inspiring and remaining optimistic even when challenges are being faced
  • Encouraging good performance and values.
  • Allocating resources and supplies to the staff in order to make sure they have the correct equipment to complete their responsibilities to the highest potential.
  • Ensure that the activities implemented are of good quality and relevant to the mission and vision of the organization.
  • Advocating and embracing change.
  • Being a leader by setting high standards and living by these standards, mentoring and instilling hope in co-workers and followers, and making hard decisions and critical choices.

• He/shall be the public face of the organization. He/she shall be required to advocate as a spokesperson that both listens and communicates through physical and verbal language.
• coordinates with the accreditation liaison officer to NCHE, the commission that accredits the university

3. Manage Financial/Fundraising Affairs

• The Vice Chancellor shall be responsible for making daily and monthly financial decisions. He/she shall not require to have all the skills that an Accountant would have, but should at least have basic understanding of finances and accounting.
• He/shall have the ability to understand how to manage finances and generate financial statements in order to recognize what kind of financial situation the Institution is in.
• He/she shall be responsible for presenting the annual budget on time and making sure that all other financial tasks are completed in an efficient and timely matter.
• He/she shall be responsible for protecting the assets of the institution against fraud and financial abuse.
• He/she shall be responsible for leading the fundraising affairs/ resource mobilization of the institution. He/shall create a strong fundraising plan with the help of the board and fundraising staff in order come up with a strong program that services an insitution. In order to oversee the fundraising aspects of a University, the Vice Chancellor shall ensure that:
  • Fundraising programs are carried out with high ethical standards.
  • There are clear policies in regard to fundraising activities.
  • Funds are being accepted and used responsibly through communication with individual contributors and contributing organizations.
  • He/she must identify fundraising strategies that benefit and complement the mission and vision of the university.
  • Proprietors and Stakeholders are kept happy and are regularly informed about the organization.

4. Support the Board of Governors

• The Vice Chancellor shall maintain good relationship with the board of Governors by supporting their operations and administration.
• He/she shall have the following responsibilities to the board:
  • He/she shall be secretary to the board.
  • He/she shall ensure that he/she timely sends out notices, providing agenda, and coordinating meetings.
  • He/she shall respect the board and facilitate discussion on important topics relevant to meetings and structure of the institution.
  • He/she shall keep them informed of decisions and changes.
  • He/she shall ensure that he/she is not dominating the board; letting the board do their job effectively without too much intervention.
  • He/she shall be both professionally and personally motivated.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to formulate and communicate a clear academic vision within a teaching and research setting. Willingness to take on the challenge of laying the
  academic and research foundations of a new University.
• 
  Have a strong commitment to higher education and the ability to lead and inspire the Academic Affairs team.
  § Must exhibit strong leadership skills, extensive
  administrative experience in higher education
  administration or directly related to the responsibilities
  of the position.
  § Excellent entrepreneurial skills including proven
  budgetary, management and teamwork skills in an
  academic institution, and clear understanding of the
  social, financial and political implications on decisions
  made.
  § Knowledge of academic programme development,
  implementation, management and assessment at both
  the undergraduate and graduate/post graduate levels.
  § Proven skills in strategic management and coordination
  of academic activities, budgets and liaising with
  relevant academic sponsors or institutions are essential.
  § Ability to collaborate and relate effectively with all the
  University stakeholders including external bodies /
  regulatory or government institutions / senior industry
  executives and the wider community is a key
  requirement in order to achieve the UBS goals and
  objectives.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with
  ability to generate required consensus on strategic
  initiatives among diverse stakeholders including
  executive management, faculty staff and students and
  maximise available resources.
  § Commitment to the delivery of quality educational
  support services with effective organisational and
  management skills including planning, assessment,
  financial and personnel resources management; ability
  to demonstrate innovation and creativity in the pursuit
  of the University’s academic goals and objectives is a
  key requirement.
  § Must have high visibility and presence on campus and
  show commitment to a campus community that
  welcomes and celebrates diversity.
  § Must demonstrate personal commitment to excellence

QUALIFICATION

An earned Masters or Doctorate Degree in Education, Management Science, Engineering or Technology discipline from an accredited or
recognised University. Must have strong academic
credentials attested by a full professorship in a similar
institution. Post Doctorate studies will be an asset.
§ Must have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience if holding a Doctorate and those with Masters to have at least 10 years’ experience in a
senior administrative leadership role (at the level of
Dean or above).
§ Plus a minimum of ten (10) years as a professional in
teaching, research and with significant
experience in research administration and fund raising.

Method of application
Qualified and interested persons should apply to the address below, enclosing their cover letter; copies of relevant certificates and curriculum vitae indicating three names of traceable referees with valid telephone numbers and email addresses not later than 18^th FEBRUARY 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Clearly mark the position being applied for on the envelop or on the Email Application subject line

The University Council Chairperson

University of Blantyre Synod

P O Box 413

Blantyre OR

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

University of Blantyre Synod is an equal opportunity employer, so, all interested and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

We are committed to excellence and building an informed academic and professional Christian scholar and leader