Director, Academic Services at Aga Khan University (AKU)

Job Summary

The Director, Academic Services is responsible for collaborative oversight of Postgraduate and Undergraduate courses in the Medical College, East Africa, Aga Khan University. He/she will provide strategic leadership and direction with respect to strategic, operational and focused academic initiatives and other allied endeavours towards achievement of the educational mandate and stipulated academic quality benchmarks and standards. The broad range of roles and responsibilities in the office are comprised of undertakings towards successful design, development, implementation and control of broad-based as well as specialized curricula deliverables and accomplishments; robust faculty, staff and student recruitment and selection processes; review and continuous improvement of student assessment modalities and evaluation of teaching; adherence to internal and external regulatory provisions; ensuring fair allocation and optimum utilization of learning resources; and ensuring that all teaching and learning activities in the University maintain the highest standards of teaching and learning quality. 

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic initiatives for education programmes. 
• Liaise with different stakeholders (university leadership, faculty, administrative staff and students) to ensure adherence to institutional policy and regulatory requirements in the discharge of the university’s mandate.
• Support and manage allocation of teaching and learning resources for the effective implementation of academic programmes and attainment of the educational mission of the university.
• Support, maintain, review and update high educational standards for all education and training programmes. 
• Provide support for the development and expansion of programme offerings, scholarship activities in the AKU Medical College, East Africa and overall student experience - academic, social and psychosocial.
• Contribute to and coordinate timely assessment of students, both formative and summative in close collaboration with the Chief Internal Examiners (CIEs), Programme Directors and External Examiners.
• Liaise with the Registrar’s office to conduct student selection on merit and as per the laid-out procedures; participate in selection of Faculty and Programme Directors; and contribute to faculty development activities. 
• Collaboratively lead and coordinate the operations and activities of the academic office in close consultation with the Registrar’s office, the Dean and Associate Deans in the Medical College, East Africa, for the attainment of the institution’s mission.

Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• Postgraduate training in Education and/or equivalent
• Proficiency in computer use and various applications
• Advanced leadership training

Relevant Experience

• Over 8 years of experience in higher education programme implementation
• Leadership roles in medical education/academic programme management

Personal Characteristics & Behaviours

• Analytical competencies and attention to detail
• Good communication skills
• Innovative and team player
• Effective time management
• High capacity to multi-task
• High degree of confidentiality, integrity and maturity