Hybrid Dean: LAW (Cape Town, ZA) chez University Of Cape Town

DEAN

Faculty of Law

University Of Cape Town

We seek a Dean, with an appropriate record of scholarship at professorial level, to provide academic leadership in one of the most dynamic and successful faculties of law in Africa.

The Dean will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic vision for the Faculty, assuring continued provision of high-quality education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and advancing its research profile, while ensuring sound financial management. As the chair of the board of the faculty, the Dean will be expected to either chair or be an active member of a number of key subcommittees of board, take overall responsibility for the implementation of university rules as well as faculty administration.

As a member of the university’s senior leadership team, the Dean will actively contribute to university-wide leadership and management.

The Dean will be expected to lead transformation in the Faculty and encourage the expression of an appropriately diverse range/set of values within the faculty’s teaching, research, and social engagement.

The Dean will be expected to develop the Faculty’s capacity to deal with the challenges facing legal education and practice in South Africa and on the African continent, and to strengthen the Faculty’s ability to contribute to legal scholarship in Africa. The Dean must give effect to the Faculty’s commitment to justice in law and constitutional values, particularly academic freedom.

For appointment as Dean, a candidate must provide evidence of an accountable, responsive, collegial, and open style of management and leadership, as well as of the ability to engage constructively with alumni, the practising profession, the Bench, non-governmental organisations and relevant governmental bodies.

As well as having proven leadership, management and interpersonal skills, the Dean will be expected to have some experience in fundraising and financial management, preferably in regard to an academic institution or non-governmental organisation.

Requirements for the position:

• A PhD or LLD qualification in a cognate field
• An academic track record appropriate for appointment at professorial level including:

• • An excellent track record of teaching, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including student supervision and graduating Master’s and PhD students;
  • A distinguished record of research and teaching in a discipline represented within the Faculty.

• An excellent track record of efficient academic administration for at least 5 years, including a substantive appointment either as a Faculty Dean or Deputy Dean or Head of Department or a similar equivalent position;
• An in-depth understanding of university governance, rules and regulations;
• Integrity and the ability to inspire and innovate;
• A clearly articulated strategic vision for the Faculty;
• Experience in developing international research partnerships;
• A track record of sustainable financial management;
• An understanding of the social, political and economic environments in which South African universities operate;
• An understanding of higher education in the South African context and familiarity with South Africa’s legal fraternities;
• An active commitment to social responsiveness, transformation and inclusiveness;
• Fundraising experience and expertise.

The 2025 annual cost of employment, including benefits, is appropriate to the Senior Executive level.

The initial term of appointment of a Dean is for five years and there is a maximum limit of one contract renewal, subject to performance assessment. On conclusion of the term of office as Dean, the appointee may be offered a permanent position in the appropriate academic department.

To apply, please visit the UCT Jobs Site (www.jobs.uct.ac.za ). View (For Internal Applicants) and View (For external Applicants) to create a candidate profile and to submit your application.

Please complete and attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• A motivation letter which addresses the above criteria,
• A statement on your potential contribution as Dean;
• Your full curriculum vitae with the names and contact details of three referees;
• The HR204 application form for Senior Executive Posts available at: http://forms.uct.ac.za/hr204.doc

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete and might not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to deliver an open presentation and undergo assessments. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Contact number: +27 (0) 21 650 1673                      Website:  https://law.uct.ac.za/ 

Reference number:    ID 1143                                  Closing date:  24 August 2025

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.

UCT 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. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at https://uct.ac.za/media/9482.

UCT reserves the right not to appoint.