Arcadia University

The Director of the Center for South African Studies is the senior member of a team responsible for the academic administration, student services administration, logistical support and delivery of Arcadia University’s programs in Cape Town, South Africa. The Director oversees all aspects of academic programming including: academic regulations and procedures, and a program of co-curricular activities with learning outcomes. The Director is responsible for all aspects of educational quality in these programs: curricular development and course design and coordination, instructional quality and staffing, academic advising, student progression and assessment, program budgeting and scheduling.

The Center Director also oversees all the Student Services component of administering a full-fledged program of study in South Africa.  This also includes responsibility for housing, fiduciary responsibility and a full working knowledge of health, safety and security measures, and management of the program and the Center. 

The post requires an academic degree with post-graduate qualifications (PhD or equivalent required), experience in teaching and educational leadership, and a demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to US education-abroad programming, as well as knowledge and experience in South Africa.  

A) Academic Program Management

1. Ensure academic policies and procedures are effectively established and administered, in coordination with The College of Global Studies.
2. Provide academic programming (faculty, curriculum, standards) that meets the needs of The College of Global Studies and Arcadia University’s departments and programs.
3. As a member of the Center’s faculty, teach and/or co-teach a class each semester or term.
4. Ensure that academic procedures credit and grade translation standards and procedures are kept up to date and administered according to guidelines established by the Dean of Studies of The College of Global Studies.
5. Set and enforce program assessment and attendance policies. 
6. Supervise the preparation and timely delivery of an Arcadia University transcript based on the reports of host universities and Arcadia University’s requirements.
7. Supervise and mentor Center faculty and provide ongoing academic advising to students, liaising with their home institutions when applicable.
8. Evaluate classes, instructors, and program services, including the student evaluation process, and direct coordination with the Center for Research and Assessment of The College of Global Studies.
9. Establish and promote quality assurance mechanisms and regulations, including gathering and recording up-to-date syllabi, establishing and scrutinizing examination procedures, resolving any disputes, preparing documentation for external accreditation.
10. Coordinate co-curricular activities focused on intercultural learning outcomes for students in some cases delivered in conjunction with other Arcadia programs in South Africa.

 
B)  Faculty Management

1. Serve as the Head of academic staff.
2. Ensure the adequate staffing of the program, hiring new area studies instructors and overseeing the hiring of language faculty as necessary.
3. Review syllabi each session with members of academic staff and develop new syllabi with them to ensure consistent and coherent programming.
4. Work with Internship Coordinators to ensure the continuing development of new program placements.
5. Set performance standards and conduct annual evaluation reviews with academic staff members for their use and for the Dean of Studies.
6. Ensure the timely and effective management of bookings and payments for guest speakers, exhibitions and events described in the programs syllabi.

C) Program Management 

1. Collaborate on in-country program development with other Arcadia Directors in Africa, and joint programs across Centers around the world.
2. Develop working relationship with other overseas Center Directors, and with the Glenside staff, and the Director and staff of Institutional Relations. 
3. Collaborate with Glenside staff on program publicity and keep them continually apprised of program developments and changes.  Maintain effective communication with the US-based Assistant Directors.
4. Work with the Program Manager on the smooth and efficient administration of the programs.  This includes, but is not limited to, application and enrolment procedures, academic standards and final transcript reports.
5. Ensure proper maintenance of all student records.
6. Schedule and lead visits for US advisors and communicate with students’ home university advisors as necessary.
7. Ensure that the Center for South African Studies is in compliance with the laws, rules and regulations of the host country and the U.S.

D)   Financial Duties

1.  The Director of Center for South African Studies is responsible for the administration and balancing of all budgets related to the operations of the program. 
2.  Coordinate and supervise financial procedures in the South Africa office in conjunction with the CFO of The College of Global Studies.
3.  Authorize the payment of bills and invoices.

E) Office and Personnel Management:

1. Assume responsibility for the day-to-day running of the office and the supervision of student services and administrative staff in South Africa. Ensure the adequate staffing and coordination of work in the South Africa Center and support other staffing measures as needed in South Africa.
2. Manage the office schedule including student arrivals and orientations, visits, vacations, and emergency duty rotation, keeping the office properly staffed and programs properly serviced.
3.  Conduct job searches for replacement staff, recommend appointments, and conduct annual performance reviews.
4.  Plan and execute a program of staff training in conjunction with the South Africa and Glenside offices.
 
F) Program Duties

1.  Liaise with The College of Global Studies in Glenside and South African university offices in the submission of students to courses, and in the arrival, orientation and transportation of students.  Keep the US office informed about program planning and student issues as they arise.
2.  Prepare and deliver an orientation for all students, deploying staff in orientation planning and execution, making arrangements for orientation venues, speakers, events and schedules, and to participate.
3.  Work with the Housing Officer in planning housing needs and preparation, in the provision, training and supervision of Graduate Residents, the provision of cleaning staff, and in the management of housing.
4.  Provide full support to the Student Services staff on-call for emergencies and take direct responsibility for the 24-hour emergency phone as needed.

G) Other Duties

1. Represent Arcadia University’s Programs at conferences and professional bodies dealing with international education.
2.  Publish in academic journals where applicable.

The Director of Center for South African Studies is part of The College of Global Studies’ senior management group under the supervision of the Vice President. The Director in South Africa is charged to keep all student records and Arcadia University business strictly confidential.