Dean – National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Harare

Job Overview

The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) is inviting applications from highly qualified and experienced academic leaders for the position of Dean based in Harare, Zimbabwe. This senior academic leadership role is ideal for professionals with proven expertise in higher education management, faculty administration, academic leadership, research development, innovation, university governance, and institutional strategy implementation.

The successful candidate will serve as the chief academic, administrative, and financial officer of the Faculty, providing visionary leadership to strengthen teaching, research, innovation, community engagement, and financial sustainability in alignment with the NUST Strategic Plan.

This opportunity is ideal for professionals searching for university dean jobs in Zimbabwe, higher education leadership careers, academic administration vacancies, professor jobs, faculty management roles, and research leadership opportunities.

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Position Details

Job Title: Dean
Institution: National University of Science and Technology (NUST)
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: Higher Education / Academic Administration / Research & Innovation
Department: Faculty Leadership
Salary: Not specified (Competitive package based on qualifications and institutional salary structure)

About the Role

The Dean will provide strategic academic and operational leadership for the Faculty while ensuring excellence in:

• Teaching and learning delivery
• Academic quality assurance
• Research and scholarship
• Community engagement and consultancy services
• Innovation and technology development
• Income generation and financial sustainability
• Institutional partnerships and external collaboration
• Performance management and faculty development

The successful candidate must demonstrate a proven record of achievement in academic leadership, research management, institutional governance, and curriculum development.

Professionals with backgrounds in higher education administration, faculty management, research leadership, or university strategic planning are encouraged to apply.

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Key Job Responsibilities

1. Academic Leadership & Faculty Administration

The Dean will oversee all academic and administrative operations within the Faculty.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Provide leadership in faculty administration and governance
• Ensure compliance with academic ordinances, university regulations, and institutional policies
• Promote access to quality teaching and learning opportunities
• Strengthen curriculum quality and academic programme delivery
• Lead faculty planning and implementation of institutional priorities
• Maintain high academic standards and quality assurance systems
• Oversee examination processes and academic performance standards

Candidates with experience in academic management, higher education governance, or institutional administration will have an advantage.

Research, Scholarship & Innovation

The selected candidate will drive research excellence and innovation within the Faculty.

Responsibilities Include:

• Promote research and scholarship activities across departments
• Encourage interdisciplinary and collaborative research initiatives
• Support innovation, commercialization, and technology transfer opportunities
• Mobilize external funding for research and development projects
• Develop partnerships that enhance innovation and research impact
• Encourage staff and students to engage in knowledge creation and problem-solving initiatives

Applicants with expertise in research management, grant funding, innovation systems, or technology development are highly preferred.

Community Outreach & Consultancy Services

The Dean will strengthen relationships between the university and external stakeholders.

Key Duties:

• Promote community engagement and consultancy services
• Build strategic partnerships with industries, government institutions, and community organizations
• Develop opportunities for industrial attachment and graduate employability
• Facilitate professional training and continuing education programmes
• Strengthen university visibility through outreach initiatives and collaborative projects

Professionals experienced in industry partnerships, community engagement, or academic consultancy services are encouraged to apply.

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Strategic Planning & Institutional Performance

The Dean will contribute to institutional success by implementing strategic priorities.

Responsibilities Include:

• Deliver annual targets under the NUST Strategic Plan Outputs and Outcomes Framework
• Develop new degree programmes in collaboration with departmental heads
• Identify subject matter experts to deliver short professional courses for industry
• Promote innovation in teaching, research, and institutional systems
• Lead change management initiatives in a transforming academic environment
• Ensure financial sustainability and efficient resource utilization within the Faculty

Candidates with experience in university strategic management, academic planning, or institutional transformation will excel in this role.

Staff Leadership & Performance Management

The Dean will supervise and mentor academic and administrative staff.

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Conduct staff performance evaluations and appraisals
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture
• Support professional growth and faculty development initiatives
• Encourage teamwork across departments and disciplines
• Promote staff motivation, mentorship, and academic excellence

Applicants with people management experience, leadership skills, and performance management expertise are strongly preferred.

Education Requirements

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate must possess:

• Authentic and recognized academic and/or professional qualifications from approved institutions
• Doctorate Degree (PhD or equivalent preferred) in any discipline offered by the Faculty

Academic Rank Requirement

Applicants should:

• Be at least at the Associate Professor Grade, or
• Possess credentials qualifying them for appointment at that level

Additional training in higher education leadership, research administration, academic governance, or university management will be considered an advantage.

Experience Requirements

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Significant experience in academic leadership and university administration
• Proven track record in:
  • Research and scholarship
  • Teaching and curriculum development
  • Strategic institutional planning
  • Academic quality assurance
  • Innovation and commercialization initiatives
• Experience leading cross-disciplinary collaborations and partnerships
• Demonstrated success in mobilizing external funding for research and institutional programmes

Professionals with backgrounds in faculty leadership, research administration, education management, or institutional development are strongly encouraged to apply.

Required Skills & Competencies

The successful candidate should possess:

Leadership & Management Skills

• Strong administrative and organizational abilities
• Proven team leadership and staff supervision skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to initiate and manage organizational change

Communication & Collaboration Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities
• Ability to work effectively with:
  • Students
  • Academic staff
  • University administrators
  • Senior management
  • Industry stakeholders
  • Community partners

Research & Partnership Skills

• Ability to develop collaborative research projects
• Strong networking and stakeholder engagement skills
• Capacity to establish industry partnerships for:
  • Industrial attachment opportunities
  • Student employment pathways
  • Business development initiatives

Salary & Benefits

Salary: Not specified by the employer. A competitive remuneration package is expected based on academic rank, qualifications, leadership experience, and university salary structures.

Potential benefits may include:

• Senior academic leadership opportunity
• Research and professional development support
• Access to collaborative research networks
• Institutional leadership and career advancement
• Opportunity to shape academic innovation and higher education development in Zimbabwe

Training & Professional Development

Selected candidates may benefit from professional exposure and training in:

• University governance and academic leadership
• Research funding and commercialization
• Strategic faculty management
• Innovation and curriculum transformation
• International academic partnerships
• Leadership in higher education systems

This role presents an outstanding opportunity for professionals seeking dean jobs in Zimbabwe, academic leadership careers, university management positions, research administration roles, and higher education executive opportunities.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and demonstrate how their academic achievements, leadership experience, and professional expertise align with the strategic vision and responsibilities of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).