Position Title: Interim Dean of Faculty
Department: Academic Affairs
Reports To: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Reports From: All Chairs of academic departments, divisions and academic programs
Duty Station: Qatar
Vacancy No: AF-Int-06-2024
Closing date: Open until filled
AUAF Background:
The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) is a private, non-profit university offering an American-style liberal arts education. We opened our doors in 2005 and currently offer four undergraduate academic majors and an MBA program. We follow a strict non-discriminatory policy and applicants from all ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are a young and growing dynamic university that has recently transitioned from being based entirely at our campus in Kabul to opening a new campus in Doha, Education City, Qatar. We also serve students online around the world.
The AUAF’s Academic Support department is seeking a qualified candidate for a full-time position as Interim Dean of Faculty based in Doha, Education City.
Position Summary:
The Interim Dean provides academic vision for AUAF and reports to the Provost. The Interim Dean provides intellectual leadership for all academic departments and multi-disciplinary programs, their faculty and staff, and budgets. The Interim Dean serves as the principal administrator planning and leading all academic departments, ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic plan, and the Strategic Academic Identity, encouraging curricular and pedagogical innovation, and facilitating and supporting diversity and
inclusion.
The Interim Dean will also course schedules reflecting educational trends, student demand and faculty expertise. In addition, the Interim Dean will review enrollment demand prior to the start of each term and take action to cancel courses as appropriate.
The Ingterim Dean is responsible for ensuring the effective processes of faculty selection, appointment, evaluation, and development. The Dean also has the responsibility for setting policy associated with these essential responsibilities and approves student requests for exception to academic policy or degree requirements.
The Interim Dean typically has extensive experience working in academia prior to taking on this role. This may include teaching course, conducting research, managing projects, etc.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the senior leadership team of the University in strategy development, policy setting, and problem-solving to effectively serve the University’s needs.
- Set appropriate budget priorities (operating and capital) in preparing budget requests and, as budget allows, recruit and recommend qualified new faculty and staff to meet the needs of the University.
- Conduct ongoing program reviews, and prepare proposals for new programs, and program modifications that enhance enrollment and program quality in AUAF.
- Oversee faculty recruitment, retention, and continuing professional development including particular attention to recruiting and retaining faculty of diverse backgrounds.
- Maintain appropriate assessment data, prepare reports, and verify compliance with accreditation standards for eligible programs.
- Direct the professional development of the faculty and staff, including annual reviews and goal setting consistent with the University strategic plan to ensure the ongoing success of students and the university.
- Explore and engage in best practices with regard to administration, programs, and course delivery.
- In working with all members of the AUAF community, demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the university Mission and Core Values in fostering progress within the Strategic Plan.
- Demonstrate a commitment to promoting a campus culture that values inclusion and diversity.
- Represent the University through participation in community and corporate activities, meetings, and events across the region and the country. Actively promote interest in the University wherever and whenever possible.
- Stand in for the Provost in their absence.
- Work on the curriculum development, continuous improvement and articulation of the academic bridge program.
- Develop project proposals with donors and secondary education stakeholders in Afghanistan.
Qualifications:
- MA or terminal degree from a recognized institution.
- Experience of 15 years in a managerial position, in the secondary education or higher education sector.
- Record of growth in professional responsibility that demonstrates logical analysis, problem-solving, innovation, and leadership; ability to analyze data and use statistics for inferences and actionable decisions.
- Experience in the adoption and use of technologies to increase productivity and accountability within the office; advanced understanding of relational database and ERP systems, preferably Power Campus, including the integration of self-service, advising and learning management, in a complex university setting, as well as of Learning Management Systems, preferably Canvas.
- Effective communicator with interpersonal and communication skills to interact verbally and in writing with diverse constituencies, including students, faculty, and administrators; to facilitate teamwork among staff and in committees, and to foster effective working relationships externally with schools, colleges, organizations, and agencies.
- Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
- Significant experience working in multicultural environments is highly preferred.
Additional Qualifications:
- Strong experience in digital learning, with a focus on quality assurance.
- Experience in secondary education, including the development and management of bridge programs.
- Proven track record in implementing and managing digital learning initiatives that enhance educational quality and accessibility.
- Expertise in designing, evaluating, and improving digital learning content and delivery methods.
- Familiarity with accreditation standards and processes related to digital learning and secondary education.