Background: 

The University is seeking an experienced and visionary Dean to lead College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences (CMNHS) into the next stage of its development. The Dean of CMNHS requires a proven track record of research and publications and must provide academic and professional leadership to the College as well as senior academic leadership in support of University’s strategic plan. 

Person Specification: 

This challenging leadership role requires demonstrated academic management experience and the ability to lead and respond strategically to the changing Fijian and global higher education environment. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a commitment to building an organisational culture that encourages innovation, a customer-centred responsiveness to national and regional stakeholder needs and integrity and trust.

Essential:

Qualifications: A PhD in medical or health sciences, nursing, oral or public health, or closely related discipline.

Experience:

•  Demonstrable experience in providing outstanding academic leadership and management, including:
• Extensive years of experience (15-20) in medical or health sciences, nursing, oral or public health, or closely related discipline with a sound record of senior academic leadership
• Strong research profile with peer-reviewed publications, successful grant funding, and a significant personal record of applied research and scholarship, leadership of research by others, and the design and operation of policies and processes for applied research across a tertiary educational organisation.
• Understanding developments in tertiary pedagogy and distance delivery (including educational technologies).
• Experience in curriculum development, accreditation, and academic quality assurance, with a strong understanding of academic quality assurance processes, programme development, and significant contribution to managing an institution’s portfolio of academic offering
• Understanding of, and high regard for, scholarship, learning and research.
• Proven record of strategic academic leadership in a tertiary institution with capacity to develop and implement strategy and to initiate and implement change in a complex, multicultural environment.
• The ability to identify and assess appropriate opportunities and partnerships to strengthen the resource base and reputation of the University.
• Experience in effective management of financial and human resources, including staff planning, recruitment and performance management and a sound knowledge of business principles.
• The capacity to work across organisational boundaries to achieve agreed corporate outcomes.
• Leadership style, empowering others, making decisions: Demonstrates an effective, culturally-sensitive leadership style that addresses challenges of the role whilst promoting the value and culture of a Higher education Institution. Evidence of the ability to mentor and empower direct reports and take informed, evidence-based decisions.
• Planning and Managing for Results: Experience of developing strategic and operational plans and demonstrable success in implementing such plans, with evidence of evaluation and corrective action as necessary.
• Influencing and Networking Skills: Demonstrable ability to influence the decisions, actions or perceptions of others. The ability to build collaborative networks and deep collaborative links with key stakeholder groups.
• Communication Skills: The ability to organise and present information, views and concepts in a concise, understandable, interesting and culturally-aware format for a variety of audiences, in a way which ensures that staff and stakeholders are consulted and well-informed.
• Knowledge of Higher Education (HE): An understanding of contemporary higher education issues and the implications of these on portfolio responsibilities and more broadly for the management of universities. An awareness of the context of higher education in the Pacific is an advantage.

Salary: An attractive salary commensurate with qualifications and abilities would be negotiated with the successful applicant.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may contact:

Application Details

All applications are to include:
 
• A letter of application addressing each of the criterion listed under the Person Specification more specifically the Essential and Desirable criteria. This application letter will form the main basis for shortlisting. Failure to provide the application letter will result in your application not being considered. 

• A detailed CV with three referees full contact details (telephone numbers and email addresses). Candidate should state their relationship with each referee (e.g. line manager, former postgraduate supervisor). 

• Copies of academic transcripts and certificates that are of relevance to the qualification requirements of the advertised position.

All applications must be submitted online using the University’s online job applications system which can be accessed at this address: https://careers.fnu.ac.fj .

Applications sent via email or manually for all positions will not be accepted.

Should you have any queries on the advertised opportunity or face difficulty in submitting the application online, please email the following:

1. Mr. Richard Donaldson | Director Human Resources DHR@fnu.ac.fj: For any queries regarding the advertised position.

2. Joshna Paayal | Senior Specialist HR Partnerships joshna.paayal@fnu.ac.fj: For any queries regarding the advertised position.

3. hrat@fnu.ac.fj : For any assistance with the online application or technical issues

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted by Fiji National University, then your application has not been successful.

FNU is an equal opportunity employer. Preference is given to applicants holding Fiji citizenship. International applicants may be considered.