Director of Community Engagement

Rhodes University

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (GRADE 19)

Rhodes University

Makhanda, Eastern Cape

Permanent

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Posted 29 October 2026

• Closing Date 11 November 2026

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Job Details

Division 2101 - Community Engagement

Minimum experience Director

Company primary industry Higher Education

Job functional area

Education

• Job Description

• DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (GRADE 19)

• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Main Objectives

• The role of the Director of Community Engagement is to provide visionary and strategic leadership for the University's community engagement mission and to position community engagement as a core academic function at the nexus of teaching, learning, and research, while promoting social justice, sustainable development, and societal impact. The Director champions a university-wide culture of community engagement by developing institutional strategies to promote reciprocal, ethical, mutually beneficial and knowledge-driven partnerships with diverse communities.

• The Director maintains an active programme of research in the scholarship of community engagement, publishes in peer-reviewed journals, supervises postgraduate students, contributes to teaching in relevant academic programmes, and provides intellectual leadership that advances community engagement as a recognised field of scholarship and practice.

• The Job Requirements

• A Master's degree in the humanities or social sciences, or a closely related field. A doctoral (PhD) would be an advantage. In addition, the candidate should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, where such experience includes: -

• Leading and formulating the strategic direction and advancement of community engagement/community development.

• At least 4 years of leadership and management experience at a senior level.

• Proven ability to implement community engagement strategy through community-university partnerships that drive equitable and inclusive development whilst also contributing to the holistic development of students.

• Fundraising experience, including the ability to write fundraising proposals and manage donors.

• An ability to teach/facilitate, write academically and a publication record.

• Demonstrate a sound understanding of community development.

• Financial management, understanding and working with budgets.

• Knowledge of the Higher Education sector is an advantage.