Overview
Head Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre – Department of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Jobs in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa at University of Pretoria
Title: Head Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre – Department of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships
Company: University of Pretoria
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
UP Professional and Support
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONALISATION AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
HEAD: FUTURE EARTH AFRICA HUB LEADERSHIP CENTRE
FIXED-TERM CONTRACT (FIVE YEARS)
PEROMNES POST LEVEL 5
The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.
The Department of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships at the University of Pretoria is the unit responsible for driving the university’s global engagement strategy, cultivating high ‑ impact partnerships, and strengthening UP’s international research, teaching, and innovation networks.
In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria invites applications for the position of Head: Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre
Future Earth is a global network of sustainability scientists, researchers, and innovators that operates under the custodianship of the International Science Council, UNESCO, and UNEP. Future Earth supports Global Research Networks (GRNs) that aim to address the complex interactions between natural, social, and technological systems, and how those interactions affect, across time and space, the planet’s life support systems, socio-economic development, and human wellbeing.
The AHLC (jointly hosted by the Department of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships at the University of Pretoria and Rhodes University) will join a globally distributed Secretariat located in Canada, China, France, Japan, India, Sweden, Taipei, and the USA. The AHLC is a unit within the Future Earth Africa Hub responsible for developing and operationalising the Africa Hub for phase 2. The AHLC will therefore scope and recommend the strategic direction for Future Earth in Africa while maintaining and coordinating the regional FE structures for the Hub. The AHLC will also work to develop an independent African Sustainability Science Association to amplify the voices of African scientists within and beyond FE structures. Critically, the AHLC aims to play a coordinating role to ensure that the many and growing sustainability science initiatives and networks in Africa are both complementary and designed to benefit the people who live on our continent. In addition, the AHLC will aim to leverage Future Earth's international sustainability science networks to benefit African science.
The Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre (AHLC) is structured around three core Work Packages, and the Department of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships at the University of Pretoria is responsible for Work Package II.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Director of the Department of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships at the University of Pretoria, the successful incumbent will be responsible for supporting initial scoping, setting up, coordinating, and ongoing management of the Hub. They will also assume key functions as the Global Secretariat Hub and implement the mandate, which includes establishing regional nodes for the Africa Hub and implementing the Future Earth Africa Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework. The incumbent will also be responsible for supporting and strengthening the African Sustainability Science Community and providing leadership on a shared vision.
Responsibilities
- Leadership:
- Working closely with the Director of the Future Earth Africa Hub to provide operational direction and lead communications and engagement for the AHLC;
- Positioning the Hub strategically within the University of Pretoria and Rhodes University, identifying and advancing intellectual synergies across faculties and departments;
- Networking and building collaborative partnerships across the continent and globally;
- Strategic Management:
- Working with the FE Africa Hub Director to oversee the operationalisation and strategic direction of the AHLC, based on Steering Committee-approved work plans;
- Leading the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) of the FEAH’s activities across the continent on behalf of the National Research Foundation (NRF) and Future Earth Africa Hub;
- Building the management and administrative capacities of the Future Earth Africa Hub entities, including regional nodes;
- Strategic communication, marketing, and branding of the Work Package 2 activities;
- Data management of Work Package 2 activities across the entities of the Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre (FEAHLC);
- Scientific/Academic Research:
- Representing African Future Earth stakeholders in global Future Earth structures, elevating African sustainability science priorities;
- Building capacity of the entities of the Hub in supporting the NRF mission in the different regions of the continent, including fundraising, running research calls, engaging with governments to develop and support the common regional research agenda, funding of research themes, and running and reviewing research calls;
- Funding and Financial Management:
- Ensuring sound financial management in accordance with funding contracts and University of Pretoria policies and practices;
- Identify and attract new funding opportunities;
- Early Career Researchers Management:
- Leading in the identification, mobilising, accessing, and, where needed, designing capacity building programmes to support early career researchers in the Africa Hub related entities and regional nodes;
- Attending to scientific redress (e.g., gender equity) and inclusivity principles in the AHLC overall, in consultation with FEAH director and REAH entities;
- Human Resources Management:
- Managing staff in the unit and ensuring that they perform to the required standards;
- Identifying the learning and development needs of staff and creating opportunities for development and training;
- Encouraging and/or facilitating regular meetings among staff members to endure the optimal flow of information;
- Stakeholder Management:
- Identifying, developing and establishing relationship with relevant stakeholders;
- Continuously engaging strategic partners and identifying opportunities to grow the AHLC brand in the local, African, and global communities;
- Managing all relationships with the various research partners and ensuring that they are kept informed on all the milestones.
Minimumrequirements
- PhD related to sustainability science or a similar area;
- Seven years of experience;
- Experience in regional scientific leadership in sustainability science leadership in sustainability science or a related area;
- Proven experience in fundraising and effective writing of research funding proposals;
- Proven strong leadership, demonstrating good project and people management skills;
- Experience at the international level and in a multicultural setting is desirable;
- Experience in raising funds and writing research funding proposals;
- Experience in working with producers of Universities and research Centre;
- Experience coordinating large-scale scientific events, conferences, or multi-stakeholder convenings.
Required Competencies (skills, Knowledge, And Behavioural Attributes)
- Strong leadership skills, demonstrating good project and people management (with a consultative and inclusive style);
- Ability to build consensus and commitment to new initiatives;
- Excellent organisational skills, able to manage multiple demands;
- Sound computer literacy skills: able to work with word processors, Excel, PowerPoint, use the internet and email;
- Excellent multilingual communication skills across African Union languages, including English, French, Arabic, and other widely spoken regional languages (both verbal and written);
- Ability to think strategically and creatively;
- Ability to drive the implementation of strategic plans and goals;
- Excellent problem-solving skills;
- Ability to navigate complex institutional dynamics to achieve project goals;
- Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines;
- Excellent planning and organisational skills;
- Ability to analyse and interpret data;
- High developed research skills;
- Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
Added Advantages And Preferences
- Two years of experience in;
- Management experience in a higher education or similar entity;
- Demonstrated experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) for multi-country or multi-institutional programmes;
- Experience in engaging with senior stakeholders in government, academia and international organisations;
- Experience in designing or supporting capacity-building programmes for early-career researchers across Africa;
- A valid driver’s licence;
- An understanding of multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary research.
PLEASE NOTE : All shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in relevant skills and competencies assessments as part of the selection process.
Remuneration And Appointment
The all-inclusive remuneration package for this fixed-term contract position will be commensurate with the incumbent's level of appointment, as determined by the University of Pretoria policy guidelines.
Please note that this is a fixed-term contract position for a period of five years, which will be reviewed annually, and renewal is subject to performance.
Application Process
Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za: select About UP, click on Career Opportunities , then Browse Jobs , and select the position being applied for.
The following documents must be attached when applying for this position :
- A comprehensive CV;
- Certified copies of qualifications;
- Names, email addresses, and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact.
CLOSING DATE: 30 April 2026
Applications submitted after the closing date or incomplete and not in compliance with the minimum requirements will not be considered.
Enquiries
Ms Jeovitah Chimhamhiwa: Tel: (012) 420 6149, or e-mail: [email protected] for application-related enquiries, and Dr Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl ( [email protected] ) for position-related enquiries.
Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 July 2026, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.
The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity, and diversity.
In accordance with the University's Employment Equity Plan and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to, candidates from under-represented designated groups.
All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply.
By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information, including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record (including sexual offences), credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings, as part of the selection process.
The University of Pretoria reserves the right not to fill the advertised positions.