The Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) is located in the School of Government within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, and is an internationally recognized centre of excellence. PLAAS engages in research, policy development and post-graduate teaching in relation to poverty, land and agrarian reform, and natural resource management in the Southern African region. The staff establishment currently comprises of a Director, a Deputy Director, a Senior Lecturer, 10 researchers, and 8 support staff. Most staff members are supported by donor-funded projects. The Director occupies a Chair in Development Management within the School of Government.

Applications are invited for the post of Director/Chair, beginning on 1st January 2010. The Director/Chair will provide overall strategic management of PLAAS, supervise Senior Researchers and senior administrators, raise funds for core functions, work closely with finance staff in managing the Institute’s finances, report to donors and maintain good relations with them, ensure a high public profile for PLAAS, and represent PLAAS on university and non-academic bodies. In addition, the Director/Chair will actively pursue his/her own research and publications agenda, lead PLAAS’ policy engagement activities, teach on the post-graduate teaching programme, and supervise MPhil and Doctoral students. The incumbent will provide strong intellectual leadership for the Institute, and work closely with a recently funded DST/NRF Research Chair in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies.

The successful candidate will have:

• a PhD degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. development studies, politics, economics, anthropology, sociology, geography, environmental science)
• extensive experience of social science research on topics highly relevant to the core focus of PLAAS
• an international reputation as an applied social scientist
• an excellent publications record
• extensive experience of policy engagement
• demonstrated capacity for fund raising
• management experience in a higher education setting
• the ability to oversee financial accounting and reporting systems
• good person-management skills.

A competitive salary and employee benefits are offered, in a dynamic and challenging work environment.

For further details contact Ursula Arends of PLAAS at +27 21 959 3733.

To apply, please send a full Curriculum Vitae and a covering letter motivating your application (including the names, telephone/fax numbers and e-mail/postal details of 3 contactable referees) to: Kevin Gardner, HR Department, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, fax: +27 21 9591370, or e-mail: kegardner@uwc.ac.za.

Closing date for applications: 30th October 2009

In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, applications from designated groups will be given priority consideration. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment or to make an appointment at a lower level.