Call for Applications – Senior Management & Academic Leadership

Position Purpose

The Director of Quality Assurance is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the College’s quality assurance systems. The role ensures academic programs, teaching, research, and administrative processes meet institutional, national, and international standards for higher education. The DQA will drive continuous improvement across all academic and administrative units while promoting a culture of excellence, transparency, and accountability. This appointment will be full-time.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Quality Assurance framework.
• Coordinate internal audits and program reviews.
• Coordinate academic planning with the schools
• Ensure HEA compliance documentation.
• Monitor academic and administrative KPIs.
• Prepare accreditation submissions.
• Conduct institutional self-assessments.
• Oversee student evaluation systems.
• Facilitate continuous improvement processes.
• Train staff on QA standards.
• Report quality findings to Senate and Council.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Master’s degree in Education, Quality Assurance, Higher Education Management, or related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in quality assurance, academic administration, or higher education management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of quality assurance frameworks, accreditation processes, and compliance standards in higher education.

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• PhD in relevant field.
• Experience in online higher education institutions.
• Professional certifications in quality assurance, program accreditation, or educational leadership.

Required Skills and Competencies

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of higher education quality standards and accreditation requirements.
• Leadership, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to manage projects, budgets, and institutional compliance systems.
• Excellent communication skills for working across academic and administrative teams.
• Competence in digital platforms and tools for monitoring and reporting quality metrics.
• Capacity to work remotely in a dynamic online higher education environment.

The Registrar is the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer responsible for academic records, admissions, Senate support, student administration, institutional documentation, and regulatory compliance. This appointment will be full-time.

Position Purpose

The Registrar ensures the integrity, security, and efficiency of academic and administrative systems. The office oversees student lifecycle management—from admission to graduation—ensuring compliance with institutional statutes, academic regulations, and national regulatory standards. The role requires high levels of confidentiality, precision, regulatory knowledge, and institutional governance competence.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain official academic records and transcripts.
• Serve as Secretary to Council and Senate.
• Manage student admissions, registration, records, certification and graduation processes.
• Ensure secure record-keeping systems.
• Oversee academic regulations and compliance documentation.
• Coordinate statutory reporting to HEA.
• Supervise admissions and student records staff.
• Manage institutional policy documentation and archives.
• Facilitate elections and governance procedures.
• Ensure confidentiality and data protection compliance.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Education Management, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, or a related field from a recognized institution.

Academic and Professional Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in university administration, higher education management, or institutional governance.
• Demonstrated experience in academic registry systems, admissions management, or student records administration.
• Proven knowledge of higher education regulatory frameworks and quality assurance processes.
• A Doctoral degree and prior experience serving as Registrar or Deputy Registrar in a recognized higher education institution will be an added advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of higher education administrative systems.
• Excellent organizational and record management skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage digital registry and student information systems.
• Strong understanding of academic governance structures.
• Confidentiality and ethical professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Capacity to coordinate multi-unit administrative processes.

Position Purpose

The Chief Financial Officer shall lead institutional financial management systems and ensure financial accountability, compliance, budgeting efficiency, financial reporting accuracy, and institutional sustainability. This appointment will be full-time.

Key Responsibilities

The CFO shall:

• Manage institutional financial operations and accounting systems.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and financial reports.
• Coordinate payroll, taxation, and statutory compliance.
• Monitor institutional cash flow and financial sustainability.
• Ensure proper financial controls and accountability systems.
• Coordinate external audits and financial reporting.
• Support procurement compliance and expenditure monitoring.
• Advise management on financial risks and sustainability.
• Maintain accurate financial records and reporting systems.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• A Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Economics, Financial Management, or related field.
• Applicants must also possess professional certification such as: ACCA, CIMA, CA Zambia, CPA, or equivalent recognized qualification.

Academic and Professional Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years professional experience in financial management or accounting leadership.
• Experience in higher education or institutional finance management is an added advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong financial and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational and leadership abilities.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capacity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.
• Ability to work in an online environment and across multiple African jurisdictions.

Position Purpose

The Dean of Students’ Affairs is the senior officer responsible for student welfare, student services, psychosocial support, student discipline, student engagement, and overall student experience at SOUAF.

The Dean ensures that students receive structured academic guidance, administrative support, and holistic development opportunities within the online learning environment. This appointment will be full-time.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop student support policies and services.
• Oversee counseling and psychosocial services.
• Oversee student welfare and support services;
• Manage student conduct and disciplinary procedures.
• Promote student engagement and leadership initiatives.
• Coordinate career services and internships.
• Address grievances and student complaints.
• Monitor student satisfaction indicators.
• Ensure compliance with student protection policies.
• Facilitate student representation structures.
• Represent student interests in management forums
• Report to the Deputy Principal.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Psychology, Counselling, Social Sciences, or a related field. OR,
• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with at least five (5) years of post-qualification experience in higher education teaching, administration, or psychosocial counselling.

Academic and Professional Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in higher education administration, student affairs, or student support services (for Master’s holders).
• Experience in student counselling, conflict resolution, student governance, or academic advising.
• Experience working within online or blended learning environments is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated understanding of student lifecycle management in higher education.

Required Skills and Competencies

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Knowledge of student affairs management in higher education.
• Understanding of psychosocial support systems.
• Capacity to manage online student communities effectively.
• Integrity, fairness, and commitment to student-centered education.
• Ability to work across diverse cultural and geographic contexts.

Position Purpose

The Chief Information Officer provides strategic leadership and management of all IT systems, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and e-learning platforms at SOUAF. The CIO ensures that technology initiatives align with the College’s academic, administrative, and research objectives while supporting secure, efficient, and scalable online education delivery. This appointment will be full-time.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure full system uptime standards.
• Implement cybersecurity policies.
• Develop LMS and institutional digital platforms.
• Manage digital teaching and remote learning systems.
• Develop IT infrastructure and digital transformation strategy.
• Ensure compliance with data protection laws.
• Supervise ICT personnel.
• Oversee institutional software procurement.
• Maintain backup and disaster recovery systems.
• Report ICT performance to Executive Management.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field from a recognized institution.
• A minimum of five (5) years of senior IT management experience in higher education, corporate, or digital service environments.
• Strong experience in managing enterprise systems, e-learning platforms, and digital transformation initiatives.

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• A Master’s degree in Information Technology, Management Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• Experience in international online higher education systems.
• Certifications in cybersecurity, cloud systems, or IT governance (e.g., CISSP, CISM, ITIL, PMP).

Required Skills and Competencies

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strategic vision for IT in higher education and online learning environments.
• Strong leadership, management, and team-building skills.
• Advanced knowledge of IT infrastructure, cloud systems, networking, and cybersecurity.
• Ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and stakeholders.
• Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation-driven mindset.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) for working across academic and administrative units.
• Capacity to work remotely in an online institutional environment.

Position Purpose

The Chief Librarian and E-resources Manager is responsible for providing strategic leadership for library services and information resources, ensuring the provision of high-quality academic support and digital resources to students, faculty, and staff. This role encompasses development, management, and oversight of the LMS, library and information services, both physical and digital, in line with the online learning environment. This appointment will be full-time.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage library collections.
• Manage learning resources;
• Develop and Implement digital library systems.
• Support LMS and institutional digital platforms.
• Support digital teaching and remote learning systems.
• Ensure access to digital and physical collections;
• Ensure access to accredited academic databases.
• Support research and citation management systems.
• Ensure digital repository, copyright and licensing compliance.
• Train students and staff in information literacy.
• Oversee library budget management.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library Science, Information Science, Knowledge Management, or a related field
• A Bachelor’s degree with at least five (5) years of professional experience may be considered for exceptional candidates.

Academic and Professional Experience

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in a senior librarian, LMS management or information management role, preferably in a higher education environment.
• Experience in managing digital library systems, e-resources, and learning management system integration.
• Experience in collection development, cataloguing, and user support services.
• Familiarity with open-access initiatives, copyright regulations, and intellectual property rights.
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative skills to manage teams and workflows efficiently.

Required Skills and Competencies

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and strategic management skills.
• Expertise in digital library technologies and online academic resource management.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of current trends in library science and online education.
• Ability to operate effectively in an online and cross-cultural environment.

Position Purpose

The Dean of School is the chief academic leader of the School and is responsible for academic planning, quality assurance, staff development, research leadership, and programme delivery within the School.

The Dean provides strategic direction aligned with institutional goals and ensures that programmes meet regulatory requirements

The Dean of the “School of Business” is Responsible for programmes in Entrepreneurship, Financial Economics, Sustainable Business, International Trade, Business Development, MBA programmes, and postgraduate tracks in Business Administration. This appointment will be full-time and includes other academic duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead academic planning within the School.
• Supervise Heads of Departments.
• Ensure quality teaching and assessment;
• Ensure program delivery quality and accreditation compliance.
• Monitor staff performance and development.
• Develop School budgets in collaboration with administration.
• Coordinate research and scholarly activities.
• Chair School Boards.
• Recommend academic appointments and promotions.
• Ensure student progression and retention within the School.
• Report to the Deputy Principal for Academic.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline within the respective School.
• A Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) is strongly preferred and highly desirable.

Academic and Professional Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience in higher education.
• At least three (3) years of academic leadership or administrative experience, such as Head of Department, Programme Coordinator, or similar role.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, academic quality assurance, or research supervision.
• Experience in online or blended learning environments is an added advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Strong academic leadership capacity.
• Knowledge of higher education regulatory standards.
• Strategic thinking and institutional planning skills.
• Experience in digital and online education management.
• High ethical standards and academic integrity.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead diverse academic teams across multiple jurisdictions.

Position Purpose

The Dean of School is the chief academic leader of the School and is responsible for academic planning, quality assurance, staff development, research leadership, and programme delivery within the School.

The Dean provides strategic direction aligned with institutional goals and ensures that programmes meet regulatory requirements

The Dean of the “School of Social Sciences and Education” is Responsible for programmes in Education, Public Policy, International Relations, Governance, Diplomacy, Crisis Management, and related fields. This appointment will be full-time and includes other academic duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead academic planning within the School.
• Supervise Heads of Departments.
• Ensure quality teaching and assessment;
• Ensure program delivery quality and accreditation compliance.
• Monitor staff performance and development.
• Develop School budgets in collaboration with administration.
• Coordinate research and scholarly activities.
• Chair School Boards.
• Recommend academic appointments and promotions.
• Ensure student progression and retention within the School.
• Report to the Deputy Principal for Academic.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline within the respective School.
• A Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) is strongly preferred and highly desirable.

Academic and Professional Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience in higher education.
• At least three (3) years of academic leadership or administrative experience, such as Head of Department, Programme Coordinator, or similar role.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, academic quality assurance, or research supervision.
• Experience in online or blended learning environments is an added advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Strong academic leadership capacity.
• Knowledge of higher education regulatory standards.
• Strategic thinking and institutional planning skills.
• Experience in digital and online education management.
• High ethical standards and academic integrity.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead diverse academic teams across multiple jurisdictions.

Position Purpose

The Dean of School is the chief academic leader of the School and is responsible for academic planning, quality assurance, staff development, research leadership, and programme delivery within the School.

The Dean provides strategic direction aligned with institutional goals and ensures that programmes meet regulatory requirements

The Dean of the “School of Technology and Innovation” Responsible for programmes in Digital Business, Artificial Intelligence, Technological Innovation, Data Analytics, and Innovation Management. This appointment will be full-time and includes other academic duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead academic planning within the School.
• Supervise Heads of Departments.
• Ensure quality teaching and assessment;
• Ensure program delivery quality and accreditation compliance.
• Monitor staff performance and development.
• Develop School budgets in collaboration with administration.
• Coordinate research and scholarly activities.
• Chair School Boards.
• Recommend academic appointments and promotions.
• Ensure student progression and retention within the School.
• Report to the Deputy Principal for Academic.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline within the respective School.
• A Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) is strongly preferred and highly desirable.

Academic and Professional Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience in higher education.
• At least three (3) years of academic leadership or administrative experience, such as Head of Department, Programme Coordinator, or similar role.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, academic quality assurance, or research supervision.
• Experience in online or blended learning environments is an added advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Strong academic leadership capacity.
• Knowledge of higher education regulatory standards.
• Strategic thinking and institutional planning skills.
• Experience in digital and online education management.
• High ethical standards and academic integrity.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead diverse academic teams across multiple jurisdictions.

Position Purpose

The Director of Studies shall serve as a senior academic management officer responsible for coordinating academic delivery, curriculum implementation, teaching quality, academic monitoring, programme coordination, and institutional academic performance management. The office holder shall play a central role in ensuring academic excellence, harmonization of teaching standards, effective programme coordination, and alignment with Higher Education Authority (HEA) standards and institutional quality assurance frameworks.

The Director of Studies shall work closely with the Deputy Principal for Academic Affairs and shall oversee, coordinate, and support Deans of Schools, and collaboration with the Directorate of Quality Assurance. This appointment will be full-time and includes other academic duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Academic Programme Coordination
• Oversight of Deans of Schools
• Coordination with the Directorate of Quality Assurance
• Teaching and Learning Management
• Academic Monitoring and Reporting
• Student Academic Support Coordination

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

• A PhD from a recognized institution in: Education, Higher Education Management, Business, Social Sciences, Technology, or related academic field.

Academic and Professional Experience

Applicants should have:

• Minimum of five (5) years relevant senior academic or academic management experience. Experience in:
• Academic programme coordination,
• Teaching and learning management,
• Curriculum implementation,
• Academic quality assurance,
• University administration,
• or related higher education leadership functions.
• Experience within ODL or blended learning systems will be an added advantage.
• Experience coordinating Schools, Faculties, or academic programmes is highly desirable.
• Strong academic leadership and university teaching experience.
• Knowledge of curriculum development and academic quality assurance systems.
• Understanding of higher education regulation and governance frameworks.

Required Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong academic leadership and coordination skills.
• Knowledge of curriculum management and instructional systems.
• Understanding of quality assurance and accreditation standards.
• Strong organizational and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communication and academic reporting skills.
• Leadership in teaching and learning innovation.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary academic teams.
• Strategic thinking and institutional planning skills.
• Professional integrity and sound academic judgment.

Position Purpose

The Director of Research & Innovation leads SOUAF’s research strategy and innovation initiatives. The role ensures research outputs, projects, and collaborations align with institutional priorities, regional development goals, and global standards. The DRI fosters a research culture among faculty and students, strengthens partnerships with external institutions, and supports innovation in teaching, technology, and knowledge creation. This appointment will be full-time and includes other academic duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop institutional research strategy.
• Coordinate grant applications and funding proposals.
• Monitor research output KPIs.
• Establish research clusters and centers.
• Promote industry partnerships.
• Oversee research ethics compliance.
• Manage postgraduate research supervision frameworks.
• Facilitate innovation and intellectual property development.
• Organize research conferences and dissemination platforms.
• Report research performance to Senate.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications and Professional Experience

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• PhD in a relevant discipline (Science, Technology, Social Sciences, Education, or Management).
• Minimum of five (5) years of research experience in higher education, including management or leadership of research projects.
• Evidence of scholarly output, such as publications in peer-reviewed journals, patents, or applied research projects.
• Experience in grant writing, research funding management, and collaboration with industry or government.

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• International research experience or collaborations.
• Track record of leading research teams or centers.
• Experience in Pan-African or online higher education contexts.

Required Skills and Competencies

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and project management capabilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to engage faculty, students, and external partners.
• Ability to work in an online higher education environment and manage distributed teams.
• Knowledge of research ethics, quality assurance, and compliance standards.
• Innovative mindset with capacity to promote and implement research-driven solutions.

Position Purpose

The Director of Administration and Finance shall oversee institutional administrative and operational management systems to ensure efficiency, accountability, sustainability, and compliance with institutional governance and regulatory requirements. The office holder shall coordinate administrative planning, financial sustainability support, procurement oversight, infrastructure planning, institutional risk management, and operational performance improvement. This appointment will be full-time.

Key Responsibilities

• The Director shall:
• Provide strategic leadership for administration and operational management.
• Coordinate institutional budgeting and resource allocation planning.
• Support institutional financial sustainability and cost-efficiency initiatives.
• Supervise procurement and administrative compliance systems.
• Coordinate operational planning and infrastructure management.
• Support implementation of institutional strategic plans.
• Ensure administrative compliance with HEA and institutional governance requirements.
• Coordinate institutional risk mitigation measures.
• Prepare administrative performance reports for management and governance bodies.
• Supervise administrative units and support operational coordination across departments.
• Advise Council on financial sustainability.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• A Master’s degree in: Business Administration, Public Administration, Financial Management, Management, Commerce, or related field.
• Professional certification such as ACCA, CIMA, CIA, CPA, or equivalent qualification will be an added advantage.

Academic and Professional Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years senior management experience in administration, operations, finance, or institutional management.
• Experience in higher education institutions will be an added advantage..

Required Skills and Competencies

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong financial and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational and leadership abilities.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capacity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.
• Ability to work in an online environment and across multiple African jurisdictions.

Position Purpose

The Strategic Advisor to the Management will serve as a senior advisory and institutional strategy support officer responsible for strengthening executive leadership, institutional planning, governance coordination, strategic partnerships, organizational development, and policy implementation.

The position requires a highly analytical, diplomatic, and solutions-oriented individual capable of advising senior leadership on institutional transformation, operational performance, sustainability, growth, and long-term strategic positioning. This appointment will be full-time.

Key Responsibilities

The Strategic Advisor shall support Principal and both Deputy Principals in:

• Strategic Planning and Institutional Development
• Executive and Governance Support to the Principal
• Advisory Support to Deputy Principals
• Institutional Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
• Organizational Performance and Risk Management
• Research, Policy, and Institutional Intelligence

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements in line with institutional policy and Zambian higher education standards:

Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or PhD in Higher Education Management or Business Administration, Public Administration, Strategic Management, Leadership, Policy Studies, Education Management, International Relations, or related field from a recognized institution.
• A doctoral qualification and international higher education experience will be an added advantage.

Academic and Professional Experience

Applicants should have:

• Minimum of five (5) years senior-level professional experience in institutional governance,
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior executives, institutional leadership, or governance bodies.
• Experience in higher education, international organizations, development institutions, or strategic consulting environments will be an added advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Excellent report writing and policy drafting skills.
• High-level communication and diplomacy skills.
• Leadership and organizational coordination abilities.
• Institutional governance and policy understanding.
• Financial and operational awareness.
• Research and institutional intelligence capacity.
• Problem-solving and decision-support skills.
• Professional integrity, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and dynamic environments.