Director of Community Engagement (Grade 19)

In brief

**Overview** This role is for a Director of Community Engagement (Grade 19) at Rhodes University. The position involves providing visionary and strategic leadership for the University's community engagement mission, aiming to establish it as a core academic function intertwined with teaching, learning, and research. It also emphasizes promoting social justice, sustainable development, and societal impact. The Director is expected to champion a university-wide culture of community engagement, foster knowledge-driven partnerships with communities, and maintain an active research program within the scholarship of community engagement, including publishing, supervising postgraduate students, and teaching. **What you will do** * Provide visionary and strategic leadership for the University's community engagement mission. * Position community engagement as a core academic function at the nexus of teaching, learning, and research. * Promote social justice, sustainable development, and societal impact. * Champion a university-wide culture of community engagement. * Develop institutional strategies to promote reciprocal, ethical, mutually beneficial and knowledge-driven partnerships with diverse communities. * Maintain an active programme of research in the scholarship of community engagement. * Publish in peer-reviewed journals. * Supervise postgraduate students. * Contribute to teaching in relevant academic programmes. * Provide intellectual leadership that advances community engagement as a recognised field of scholarship and practice. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * A Master's degree in the humanities or social sciences, or a closely related field. * A doctoral PhD would be an advantage. * Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, where such experience includes: * Leading and formulating the strategic direction and advancement of community engagement/community development. * At least 4 years of leadership and management experience at a senior level. * Proven ability to implement community engagement strategy through community-university partnerships that drive equitable and inclusive development whilst also contributing to the holistic development of students. * Fundraising experience, including the ability to write fundraising proposals and manage donors. * An ability to teach/facilitate, write academically and a publication record. * Demonstrate a sound understanding of community development. * Financial management, understanding and working with budgets. * Knowledge of the Higher Education sector is an advantage. **Who should apply** This role is suitable for a candidate who possesses a Master's degree in the humanities, social sciences, or a closely related field, with a PhD being advantageous. The ideal candidate will have at least 7 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 4 years in senior-level leadership and management within community engagement or development. They should have a proven track record of implementing community engagement strategies through partnerships, fundraising (including proposal writing and donor management), and demonstrate an ability to teach, write academically, and publish. A strong understanding of community development and experience with financial management and budgeting are required, with knowledge of the Higher Education sector being an advantage. The candidate should be a visionary leader capable of positioning community engagement as a core academic function and championing a university-wide culture of engagement. **Deadline** 28 October 2026 **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/director-of-community-engagement-grade-19-rhodes-university Source: myjobmag

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• At least 4 years of experience.

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