Director Postgraduate Studies and Research

Reference: KCU. ADVERT/ 2024/2025

Categories: Directorate

Work type: Full Time
Duty Station: Main Campus (Ggaba Road, Kampala Uganda)

Duration: 3 years, renewable upon satisfactory performance

Reporting to: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) The Director of Postgraduate Studies and Research (DPGSR) is responsible to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)  for implementing postgraduate education policy as determined jointly in consultation with the Head of Departments, senior officers of the department and departmental committees

Summary of Position: 

Management of overall University’s research activities that broadly in includes strategies for the development of research infrastructure, capacity building for both staff and graduate students, various publications’ mechanisms, grant writing and grants’ execution management.

Introduction:

The Directorate of Research and Graduate Studies (DRGS) is to nurture excellence in Postgraduate research and innovation by providing leadership and administrative support reinforced by the principles of quality, diversity and integrity. The Directorate works directly with academic departments where the research is being undertaken

The function of the Directorate includes

1. To coordinate Postgraduate programmes of the University including planning, administration, and admissions of students into Postgraduate programmes 
2. To regulate and enhance the quality of Postgraduate studies and research in the University
3. To encourage educational exchange and contact within Uganda and internationally
4. To promote Publication Cultures of graduate research outputs
5. To monitor and evaluate the progress of all activities in the Directorate
6. To publicize the Postgraduate activities of the University with a view to attracting enrollment and financial support from prospective donors

Duties and Key Responsibilities:

1. Ensuring compliance with policies, regulations and procedures relating to Postgraduate academic and examinations.
2. Vetting research students’ projects and in discussion with supervisors, putting in place quality assurance measures.
3. To coordinate graduate programmes of the University including planning, administration and admissions of students to Postgraduate programme
4. Overseeing the departmental processes for progression of doctoral students.
5. Approving nominations of examiners for the viva.
6. Approving supervisory arrangements.
7. Dealing with disputes between students and supervisors, if requested.
8. Ensuring that PhD projects are properly funded.
9. Producing a research degree departmental handbook for students.
10. Monitor the academic progress of graduate students in different departments within the University.
11. Coordinate graduate research and innovations in the University, e.g. through organizing or hosting courses and seminars on research.
12. Provide orientation and mentorship of graduate students in the Directorate.
13. Coordinate graduate student and staff research projects and publications in the university.
14. Approve students’ research proposals, internal and external examination of dissertations and defense of the same.
15. Manage and update data on publications and intellectual property rights.
16. Produce monthly update of ongoing research and publications in the university.
17. Together with other university departments, promote graduate studies, research and innovations
18. Be a home for graduate students, managing assigned graduate facilities like the Resource Room, book banks, computer lab(s) etc.
19. Liaising with collaborative partners, industrial partners and sponsors as appropriate.
20. Representing postgraduate teaching and/or research in academic staff recruitment and promotion.
21. Seek out and submit to internship and fellowship opportunities to broaden students’ training experiences. 
22. Manage the registration, status and the Academic progress of Graduate students in the University.
23. Handle other duties as may be assigned by the supervisors

Required Qualifications:

A PhD holder at the rank of Professor in any academic field
Experience:

• Must have excellent record of administration, teaching, research and service in a universities setting for not less than twelve (5) years, three (3) of which must have been at senior Managerial level/Deputy Director or its equivalent;
• Proven experience in research, publication, teaching and supervision at graduate level

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Proven experience in grant writing and administration;
• Significant public administration, leadership, or managerial experience, measured by both length of service and level of responsibility
• A record of effective teaching at the graduate and undergraduate level
• An active scholarship agenda that includes research, publications, presentations and service

Required Skills

• Strong technological skills including electronic communication media and learning management systems
• Potential to teach doctoral level courses and contribute to other doctoral level activities such as comprehensive exam committees and dissertation committees
• High degree of integrity to safeguard the intellectual property of researchers/graduate students and research funds
• Awareness of the needs of postgraduate students at all stages of their academic journey from  enrolment to graduation
• Responsible, trustworthy and able to maintain a high level of discretion and professionalism
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision and exercising considerable  initiative
• Excellent written and oral communication skill
• Excellent organizational skills

How to apply

• Qualified and interested candidates are invited to submit a soft copy of their application documents; motivation letter & detailed CV to: hr@kcu.ac.ug with the subject line ‘‘Application for the Position of Director Postgraduate Studies and Research, addressed to the Human Resource Manager, King Ceasor University, Plot 32, King Ceasor Road, Ggaba Road, Kampala, Uganda.
• Please provide a reliable 24-hour phone contact. Only shot-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.