Job Details

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY ACADEMIC HEADS OF DEPARTMENT FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST: EXERCISE AND SPORTS SCIENCE, NUTRITION AND DIETETICS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, OPTOMETRY, OR PHYSIOTHERAPY.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is recognised as a centre of academic excellence through relevant education, critical reflection, 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 UFS provides quality health care services to meet South Africa's diverse health care needs, guided by the four pillars of 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 of health professionals produced. In today’s competitive marketplace, a faculty that ensures a consistent approach to higher education and service is critical. The faculty is extensively involved in the integration of health delivery projects and community service.

The post of Academic Head of School: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences will be on a part-time basis and candidates must currently occupy a position of Academic Head of Department in one of the following departments: Exercise and Sports Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry and Physiotherapy.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                      
•    A detailed Curriculum Vitae and cover letter.
•    Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
•    A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).

Duties and responsibilities:
•    Accept full-time responsibility under the leadership of the Dean 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 and maintain the required infrastructure and decision-making structure; responsible for the overarching applicable support functions at the Faculty/University in consultation with the other Heads of Schools, Dean and Vice Dean.
•    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 in consultation with the other Heads of Schools, Dean and Vice Dean.
•    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 technology) that the School is known for.
•    Take a leadership role in consultation with the other Heads of Schools, Dean and Vice Dean in national and regional clinical 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 Health and Rehabilitation Sciences within the Faculty of Health Sciences under the leadership of the Dean - apply sound leadership and managerial skills. 

Inherent requirements:
•    Relevant PhD at NQF Level 10 in one of the following disciplines: Exercise and Sports Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry or Physiotherapy.
•    Proven academic and research stature and expertise in an academic environment.
•    Currently occupy a position of Academic Head of Department in one of the following departments: Exercise and Sports Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry and Physiotherapy.
•    A dynamic status as set out in the UFS Academic Appointment and Promotion Policy (faculty-specific criteria), and the 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.
•    Must be prepared to continue to render professional services as per current UFS appointment.
 

Required competencies: 
•    Results Orientated:
-    The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
-    The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
•    Strategic Thinking:
-    The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
-    The ability to plan work and to follow plans.
-    The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.
•    Business Acumen:
-    The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
-    Proficient in using MS Office.
•    Leading:
-    The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
-    The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others. 
-    The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
•    Building Coalitions:
-    The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.
-    The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
-    The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.
-    The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
-    The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision. 

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible.

Closing date:
10 November 2026

Allowance:
An allowance is payable, which is calculated according to a transparent formula approved by the relevant decision-making structures of the UFS.  The value of the allowance is available on request.  

Enquiries:
For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2876 or email seitlhekolp@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2558 / 9813 for assistance. 

General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.