Vice President (Provost)

Position description

Grade: D1
Contract: Initial two-year fixed-term appointment. Further renewals may be given subject to satisfactory performance.
Deadline: 30 June 2025.

1. Organizational setting

The World Maritime University (WMU) is a postgraduate education, research and capacity development university established in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). It is a centre of excellence for high-level maritime and oceans education, research, scholarship and capacity development, including for the promotion, advancement and efficiency of shipping and related fields, the improvement of maritime safety and security, and the protection of the marine environment in furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the IMO and the United Nations system. WMU’s fundamental objective is also to provide the international community, and in particular developing countries, with a centre for high-level maritime education, research, scholarship and capacity development and an effective means for the sharing of maritime technology from developed to developing maritime countries. The World Maritime University is seeking an experienced academic with an excellent track record in teaching, with leadership and managerial skills to fill the post of the Vice President (Provost). The person selected will work closely with and report to the President of WMU.

2. Main purpose

The Vice President (Provost) is the University’s chief academic officer who, under the direction of the WMU President, is responsible for the creation and implementation of the academic priorities for the University and for the allocation of resources that will support academic priorities. The Vice President (Provost) is responsible for the University’s maritime and oceans education, research, and academic policies and programmes. These responsibilities include programme review and improvement, accreditation and self-evaluation, assessment of student learning and advancement of student success, academic personnel decisions, budget development, enrolment management, fiscal accountability, programme and curriculum development, improvement of teaching and learning, and building a solid academic team at WMU that will maintain and promote excellence in its education and training programmes as well as research and outreach activities.

3. Duties, responsibilities

The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced leader with a clear and focused commitment to teaching, learning, and academic excellence who will champion the achievement of WMU’s Strategic Plans and educational outcomes. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader, creative colleague, team builder, and excellent manager, who will inspire Faculty, staff, and students. The candidate is an innovative thinker who seeks novel approaches to problem solving and is a critical thinker with outstanding interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. The candidate is highly ethical, trustworthy, credible, loyal, and is respectful of diverse views and opinions. The candidate is flexible and inter-culturally competent and is a person whose leadership style is collegial, approachable, and accessible within the university. The candidate is able to delegate responsibility and authority while maintaining accountability. This seasoned professional fosters cohesion and a sense of working together for the good of WMU and is committed to the effective use of technology within academic and administrative environments. The candidate must possess innovative leadership qualities and a capacity to champion a vision for the University, with demonstrated skills in strategic and operational planning, policy development, quality management, research design, and project management with excellent team leadership skills.

The Vice President (Provost), under the supervision of the President, is expected to:

• Lead in the coordination of the design and quality delivery of all postgraduate degree, research, and outreach programmes including the PhD and MSc programmes, executive professional development courses, e-learning solutions, and research and consultancy projects;
• Provide strong, dynamic, academic, and administrative leadership, uphold intellectual standards, and foster a collegial environment which encourages scholarship, teaching, research, and learning excellence;
• Possess the vision to guide and develop WMU’s academic, research, and outreach programmes into the future;
• Understand, appreciate and promote the mission of WMU and is able to relate it to the objective of supporting the IMO’s capacity development programmes;
• Advocate and promote quality instruction, student success, integrated planning, and the expansion of Learning Outcomes to meet the changing educational needs of students in a diverse environment;
• Work with the Academic staff in the development of education and training programmes, including the maintenance of standards and the evaluation of courses;
• Plan, in coordination with other administrators and faculty, the schedule of courses, classes, seminars, and field studies;
• Provide leadership and oversight for enrolment management strategies, initiatives and efficiencies;
• Provide oversight of assessment of Student Learning Outcomes and University-wide accreditation;
• Provide innovative and successful academic leadership and vision in instruction and programme development;
• Provide proposals to, and receive guidance and recommendations from the President regarding the planning, implementation and review of academic, outreach, and research programmes, services, activities and related matters;
• Act as lead officer in the recruitment, retention, and development of faculty as well as faculty support staff;
• Prepare documents required for submission to the governance structures of the University relating to academic, research, and outreach programmes and attend sessions as may be required;
• Provide support to the President in the area of programme development, monitoring, evaluation, preparing reports for submission to the governance bodies of the University and in other areas as required.

4. Minimum requirements – education, experience and language skills

Education

Essential

• A PhD in a relevant field, including: maritime transportation, marine or ports fields, international law, natural or marine science, education, leadership and management or other related field.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in working in the higher education sector;
• A strong record of internationally recognised research and publication in maritime and/or oceans affairs;
• Thorough knowledge of the IMO, other UN institutions with maritime or ocean-related mandates, their aims, objectives and activities;
• A strong history of academic achievement, including postgraduate teaching, and supervision of research over at least 10 years;
• Excellent leadership, team building, and management skills;
• A track record of success in obtaining large research grants and managing research programmes with a focus on the maritime and/or oceans related fields; Commitment to academic excellence in an international maritime and oceans environment;
• Understanding of and familiarity with the maritime and oceans industries and their current challenges;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes;
• Knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda.

Languages

Essential

• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Desirable

• Knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.

Desirable Qualifications, Competencies and Professional Experience

• An understanding of WMU and its mission, and strong commitment to the delivery of the highest standards in pursuing its mandate;
• The ability to enthuse and motivate and supervise academic, research, and support staff;
• Excellent knowledge and experience in Learning Outcome design, Professional development, implementation, and assessment;
• Knowledge and experience in curriculum development and innovation;
• Knowledge and experience in accreditation self-evaluation or service on an accreditation evaluation team;
• Excellent team building and leadership skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Diversified working experience, especially at the international level;
• Computer literacy and awareness of current academic issues in IT such as artificial intelligence;
• Demonstrated skill in respectful, sensitive communication with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, language, gender, and abilities;
• The ability to work with a diverse academic and non-academic team.

 

Application instructions

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