At Rhodes University, all programmes contribute to the university’s mission to be foremost in generating and advancing locally responsive and globally engaged knowledge that seeks to create a just and sustainable society.

Within this broader mission, and aligned with the vision and mission of the University, in the Education Faculty all academics are responsible for the creation and/or co-creation of knowledge (research), sharing of (dissemination), and critical engagement with knowledge (teaching and learning), community engagement and professional involvement in their field beyond the university. With this, we recognise differences in the execution of these responsibilities within the various departments, disciplines, faculties, research centres, and institutes in the faculty and the university more widely.  Academics are also expected to assume administrative, management, and/or leadership duties at the departmental, faculty, and/or university levels. 

In the case of this position, the incumbent will be required to provide academic, administrative, and management leadership roles to enable the sustainability and flourishing of a research centre in the Department of Secondary and Post School Education, namely the Environmental Learning Research Centre.  The ELRC is a leading research centre for the study of Environment and Sustainability Education in Africa. Its core objective is ‘To facilitate critical and innovative environmental learning and related research for just, transformative societies and sustainable environments in Africa and the global South’.  It aims to

• Produce credible knowledge of education, training and social learning practices focusing on African social-ecological contexts and issues.
• Provide tailored educational products and services to enhance educational quality and innovation in Africa and the global South.
• Strengthen and contribute to durable knowledge institutions and African networks promoting social-ecological resilience and sustainability education.
• Promote and disseminate quality knowledge products by African scholars and practitioners on environment, sustainability, and learning.
• Undertake focused advocacy with influential public and development agencies.

The role of the Director of the ELRC will involve inter alia, academic and administrative and strategic management leadership to advance the following areas: teaching and learning; research; community engagement; and partnership building in the field of Environment and Sustainability Education. 

The leadership contribution of this position should be evidenced firstly and foremost within the Research Centre, and through this at Departmental, Faculty and Institutional levels. It will involve providing academic (research, teaching, and supervision), as well as professional leadership and administrative management in Directing and leading the research programmes of the Environmental Learning Research Centre, which includes partnership building, fundraising and management to advance the objectives of the Research Centre. 

The position will involve collaboration with the two research Chairs currently based in the ELRC, who will also provide mentoring support to the Director in the first few years of the position as required and relevant to the position.


The Requirements:

Associate Professor:

• PhD in Education (Environment and Sustainability Education or closely related education or learning science fields) and at least 5 years of research project/programme management leadership and experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in providing research leadership and research project and/or programme management in the field of Environment and Sustainability Education (ESE) / Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) or a closely related education or learning sciences field, with a multi-institutional, national and international focus or reach.
• Research supervision of Master's and PhD degrees will be a strong advantage and/or extensive complementary experience supervising complex research teams and projects involving post-graduate scholars at an international level with more complex partnership structures.
• Emerging international profile in the field.
• Teaching in Environment and Sustainability Education (ESE) / Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) or a closely related field, preferably at post-graduate levels.
• Track record of administration, management, and project management leadership roles, including project or programme fundraising, programme management and management of strategic partnerships in project, programme and/ or institutional contexts.
• The ability to speak more than one South African language will be an advantage.

Senior Lecturer:

• PhD in Education (Environment and Sustainability Education or closely related education or learning science fields) and at least 3 years of research project/programme management leadership and experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in providing research leadership and research project and/or programme management in the field of Environment and Sustainability Education (ESE) / Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) or a closely related education or learning sciences field, with a multi-institutional, national and international focus or reach.
• Research supervision of Master's degrees will be a strong advantage and/or extensive complementary experience supervising complex research teams and projects involving post-graduate scholars at the national level with smaller groups of partners.
• National profile in the field.
• Teaching in Environment and Sustainability Education (ESE) / Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) or a closely related field, preferably at post-graduate levels, may also include teaching in professional and/or community-engaged contexts and/or undergraduate level.
• Track record of administration, management, and project management leadership roles, including project or programme fundraising, programme management and management of strategic partnerships in project, programme and/ or institutional contexts.
• The ability to speak more than one South African language will be an advantage.

Application Process

It is essential that prospective candidates read the job profile and further particulars document for further information and ensure that all relevant documentation is submitted.

The following documents are required:

• A comprehensive CV aligned to the job requirements at the relevant level (Associate Professor or Senior Lecturer) and relevant qualifications which should include the following: -
• Reasons for leaving your current and previous jobs.
• Referees who are and/or were your direct line manager, their title, name, designation and contact information which should be at least their contact number and email address.
• A strong and succinct motivation outlining your interest in the post and suitability relative to the job requirements as set out in the job profile.
  
• Please see attached CV guide for ease of reference, your application will not be excluded should you elect not to use this format.   
  

Please note that no hand-written applications will be considered. Your application must be submitted via our website and online recruitment system. Failure to submit all documentation and respond to all the questions asked appropriately will result in an application being disqualified.

Any questions or enquiries regarding the submission of an application, please email hrrecruitment@ru.ac.za.

Selection Process (provisional date, subject to change):

• Short-listing meeting scheduled for the TBC 2026.
• The selection process that will be followed for this post will include an assessment and/or presentation and an interview.
• Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the interview date.

Remuneration per annum (Grade AP):

Basic Pensionable Salary per annum:                          R987 607

Cost to Company per annum (Approximately):             R1 270 054


Remuneration per annum (Grade SL):

Basic Pensionable Salary per annum:                          R826 322

Cost to Company per annum (Approximately):            R1 069 564

All applications will be treated in strict confidence. This post is advertised as a permanent post, but the University may opt to appoint on a fixed-term contract of not less than three years. The University reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post. An application in itself does not entitle the applicant to an interview.  Employment checks will be conducted on recommended candidates. 

Our core values and principles are the foundation of our commitment to creating a positive, supportive, and enabling environment. These values guide our decisions, actions, and how we engage with each other as we work to achieve our vision and mission.

These values are: 
Diversity; Integrity; Respect; Excellence; Collegiality and Compassion


Recognising that diversity is important in achieving excellence. Rhodes University strongly encourages South African members of underrepresented designated groups as well as persons with disabilities to apply. Spouses and partners of existing staff members are also encouraged to apply. 

Please note all appointments are made in line with the requirements of the Employment Equity Act of 55 of 1998, as amended, the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2022 and the University's Recruitment and Selection policies.