Dean of School of Arts and Sciences

Information

Common information

School: School of Arts and Sciences
Reports to: Rector
Duty Station: TBC
Application Deadline: Open until filled
 

Purpose

The Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) is responsible for providing academic, intellectual, and administrative leadership to the School and the University. As the chief academic administrator of UCA’s undergraduate programmes, the Dean will lead the advancement of SAS by:

• Overseeing the consolidation and further development of UCA’s four bachelor’s programmes;
•  Supporting the academic development of the School’s teaching and research faculty;
• Enhancing the scholarly and research environment of the School;
• Planning future engagement in relevant master’s programmes, particularly in collaboration with UCA’s Graduate School of Development.

The Dean will work closely with University leadership to ensure the attainment of excellence of SAS in education, research, impact and engagement. Additionally, the Dean will communicate UCA’s vision and objectives to both internal and external stakeholders, fostering partnerships across and beyond Central Asia. The Dean is expected to be an established scholar and an innovative, entrepreneurial and resilient academic leader, with a strong research record, evidence of excellence in learning and teaching, a sound understanding of quality assurance in education, and demonstrated management/leadership experience. The role requires overseeing programme development, faculty recruitment and retention, student engagement, quality assurance, research productivity, financial oversight, and external partnerships.

Reporting 

The Dean of SAS reports directly to the rector of UCA and collaborates with the University's leadership team.

Qualification requirements

Qualifications
Education
•    PhD with a distinguished record of scholarly accomplishment.

Experience and Knowledge

• Minimum ten years of experience in academic leadership roles within higher education.
• Proven expertise in academic policy development, quality assurance, and administration.
• Strong track record in faculty recruitment, research facilitation, and financial stewardship.
• Experience in institutional partnerships, student engagement, and curriculum development.
• Experience in a multi-campus or developing environment is an asset.
• Experience of working in less-developed and/or multi-campus environments would be an advantage. 

Abilities and Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and management skills.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 
• Resilient, adaptable, and innovative approach to leadership.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across organisational levels.
• Deep commitment to the liberal arts and connected curriculum model.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to academic excellence and institutional development.
• Integrity, professionalism, and a strong sense of accountability.
• Ability to motivate and inspire academic staff in research, education and service.

Language Requirements
•    Advanced English proficiency required.
•    Knowledge of Russian, Kyrgyz, Kazakh and/or Tajik is an asset.

Considerations
•    The position requires regular and sometimes demanding travel to UCA campuses, partner institutions, and academic events regionally and internationally.

Duties

Critical Accountabilities and Outcomes

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the School’s short- and medium-term strategy in alignment with UCA’s overall strategic goals.
• Contribute to the University’s strategic.

Key Outcomes:

• A clear and coherent vision for SAS aligned with UCA’s broader strategy.
• Sustainable and high-impact growth of SAS programmes.

Faculty Recruitment and Development

• Lead faculty recruitment, development, and retention, particularly focusing on Central Asia.
• Support faculty in their professional growth across education, research, service to the university and community engagement.
• Ensure robust mentoring systems for new and mid-career faculty members.
• Develop teaching, professional and research focused career pathways.

Key Outcomes:

• High-quality faculty retention and development.
• A diverse, engaged, and high-performing faculty body.

Student Recruitment, Student Life and Academic Success

• Oversee student recruitment and progression, ensuring outreach to diverse populations, and promoting recruitment from less well-represented populations.
• Ensure robust academic support systems for student success. 
• Work with University offices to manage scholarships, internship opportunities, student exchange programmes, and awards.
• Support the evaluation and reform of UCA’s coop programme. 
• Ensure effective partnership between students, faculty and staff.

Key Outcomes:

• Strong and diverse student enrolment.
• Improved student retention and academic performance.
• A strengthened coop system, more integrated with the SAS programmes.
• Best practice Student Partnership model.

Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Lead the continuous improvement and accreditation of SAS undergraduate programmes. 
• Oversee the integration of preparatory studies into the main curriculum. 
• Oversee the integration of digital technologies into education provision. 
• Review the balance of mandatory curricular, disciplinary curriculum and liberal arts. 
• Ensure programme effectiveness through student feedback and engagement with external expertise.

Key Outcomes:

• High-quality, accredited academic programmes. 
• Effective and adaptive curriculum development.

Research and Scholarly Development 

• Promote and support research activities, grant capture, and faculty research outputs of all kinds.
• Foster collaborative research initiatives within and beyond Central Asia, including – particularly – with UCA’s Graduate School of Development.
• Ensure faculty engagement with national, regional, and international funding sources.
• Promote research which is impactful and problem oriented.

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Key Outcomes:

• Increased research output and impact.

• Strengthened funding opportunities for faculty research.

Financial Oversight 

• Manage the financial operations of SAS, ensuring responsible budgeting and resource allocation.
• Ensure effective use of donor support and revenue-generating initiatives.
• Enhance the sustainability of the School and the impact per investment.

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Key Outcomes:

• Sound financial governance and resource optimisation.
• Maximisation of donor and funding opportunities.
• Sustainability

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 Partnerships and External Engagement

• Lead UCA’s partnership strategy for SAS, building collaborations with academic institutions, local and regional business, government and other external stakeholders.
• Strengthen relationships between SAS and local communities.
• Support the development of Naryn and Khorog as ‘University Towns’

Key Outcomes: 

• Expanded institutional partnerships and student exchange opportunities.
• Stronger regional and international engagement.
• Strong relationships within Naryn.

University Leadership and Governance

• Represent SAS at the senior leadership level, ensuring alignment with University-wide goals.
• Oversee academic policies and procedures to maintain high-quality education standards.
• Contribute to University leadership and the development of a coherent UCA longer-term strategy.
• Maximise collaboration across Schools and between locations.

Key Outcomes:
•    Strong integration of SAS within UCA’s leadership framework.
•    Effective governance and academic oversight.

Student Graduation and Convocation

• Ensure effective oversight of student graduation and convocation processes across campuses.

Key Outcomes:

• Well-organised graduation ceremonies reflecting the academic integrity of UCA.

Conditions

Please submit your application (cover letter, CV and contact information of three references) to hr.recruitment@ucentralasia.org 

Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Review other job vacancies at: https://ucentralasia.org/career-opportunities