A doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent).
A minimum of 10 years’ experience of which 5 years should be in a senior academic, research, or innovation leadership role.
Proven experience and success in securing large research funding, managing large research portfolios, and fostering strategic partnerships.
Proven understanding of higher education, national and international research systems, and intellectual property frameworks.
Proven track record of research excellence and innovation leadership, including experience in developing research capacity, fostering inter-disciplinary collaboration, translating research into societal and/or commercial impact and the National System of Innovation.
Proven experience in drafting, evaluating, and implementing institutional policies related to research, innovation and postgraduate education.
A proven record of success in strategic leadership of new initiatives.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

The successful candidate will have advanced proficiency in the following knowledge and technical competencies:

Ability to plan and respond to emerging global trends in research, innovation, and postgraduate education; adept at translating vision into actionable strategies aligned with institutional goals.
In-depth knowledge of research management systems, postgraduate education frameworks, and regulatory environments, with the ability to design and oversee institutional systems for efficiency and accountability.
Ability to lead, develop, and inspire diverse, multidisciplinary teams. Committed to inclusive leadership, performance management, staff development, and promoting a high-performance culture.
Knowledge and understanding of intellectual property rights, technology transfer and the processes of research commercialisation within the academic environment and industry interface.
Ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships across academia, government, industry, and international funding agencies.
Ability to manage complex budgets, align resource allocation with strategic priorities, and drive cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.
Proficiency in using digital tools and platforms for research information management, analytics, and reporting.
Commitment to upholding the highest standards of academic ethics, governance, confidentiality, and institutional accountability.
Excellent communication (written and verbal) and report writing skills.
Excellent negotiating and relationship management skills.
Highly developed analytical skills.
Ability to lead a number of strategic high-impact initiatives, including grants, that require multi-stakeholder, multi-lateral and multi-national partnerships.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES

A postgraduate degree in Business Management, e.g. MBA
A qualification in project management.

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