Director of the SARB Centre for Economics Journalism

Director: SARB Centre for Economics Journalism at the level of Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in the School of Journalism and Media Studies

The School of Journalism and Media Studies invite suitably qualified candidates to join their team as the Director of the SARB Centre for Economics Journalism (appointed at the level of Lecturer to Senior Lecturer)

OVERALL PURPOSE OF POSITION: Leading the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Centre for Economics Journalism, an externally funded research and teaching unit established within the School of JMS under the Memorandum of Agreement between Rhodes University and SARB.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Strategic and academic leadership of the SARB Centre: provide strategic direction and academic leadership for the centre, fostering its growth, sustainability and national and continental impact.

• Postgraduate teaching, supervision and curriculum development: Lead the Centre’s postgraduate teaching programme, supervise postgraduate students and ensure the ongoing development and quality of the curriculum.

• Developing and managing Economic journalism projects for the purpose of experiential learning: Develop and manage experiential learning initiatives that provide students with practical training and editorial experience in economics journalism

• Research, scholarship and publication: Lead and grow the Centre’s research programme through high quality scholarship, publication and research that advances the field of economics journalism

• Funder relationship management and Steering Committee participation: Build and maintain strategic relationships with SARB and other key stakeholders, ensuring effective governance, collaboration and delivery of the Centre’s objectives

• Financial management and reporting: Manage the Centre’s budget and financial resources, ensuring sound financial stewardship and timely reporting to the funder.

• Centre and staffing capacity: Lead the development of the Centre’s staff and capacity, fostering a high performing team and supporting the Centre’s long-term sustainability

• Scholarships and alumni management: Manage the Centre’s scholarship programme and alumni network to support student success, graduate engagement and demonstrate the Centre’s long-term impact

• Community engagement and continuing professional training: Lead the Centre’s community engagement and professional training activities, extending its impact through partnerships, short courses and capacity developing initiatives

• Governance, compliance and university administration: Ensure effective governance, compliance and administration of the Centre, meeting all University and funder reporting and accountability requirements.

The Requirements

Lecturer

• A Master's in Journalism Studies, Media Studies, Economics, Finance or a closely related field.

Candidates will be expected to either complete or make reasonable progress in line with targets and timeframes agreed with the HoD during their probation period, should they be appointed.

• A substantial professional record (at least seven years) in financial or economics journalism, central bank communications or a comparable field of practice.
• Experience of working at the interface between media and a central bank, financial regulator, multilateral institution or comparable counterparty would be an advantage.
• Some teaching and/or teaching facilitation experience is required. The incumbent should be acquainted with online/blended teaching, testing, and marking, or be willing to acquire these skills immediately upon starting the job.
• Ability to teach in disciplinary areas such as the following:
• Journalism Studies
• Economic Journalism
• Economics
• Finance
• Some experience in mentoring and/or supervising postgraduate students would be an advantage.
• Some evidence of and experience in conducting research of relevance to financial journalism or economics journalism. Evidence of published work in mainstream or trade outlets, and of accredited output in academic publications, would be an advantage.
• Some record of administration, management and/or leadership roles (leadership roles may be informal).

Senior Lecturer

• A PhD in Journalism Studies, Media Studies, Economics, Finance or closely related field.

Candidates who hold an MA in Journalism Studies, Media Studies, Economics, Finance, or a closely related field and are actively progressing towards completion of a PhD will also be considered. As a guide, candidates should be within 12 months of their intended PhD submission.

Plus

7–10 years of teaching experience.

• A substantial professional record (at least seven years) at senior level in financial or economics journalism, central bank communications or a comparable field of practice, with a demonstrable record of leadership at the level of bureau chief, editor, head of unit, head of communications or equivalent.
• Experience working at the interface between media and a central bank, a financial regulator, a multilateral institution, or a comparable counterparty is required.
• Considerable teaching experience at the postgraduate level is required. The incumbent should be acquainted with online/blended teaching, testing, and marking, or be willing to acquire these skills immediately upon taking the job.
• Substantial experience in teaching in disciplinary areas such as the following is required:
• Journalism Studies
• Economic Journalism
• Economics
• Finance
• Research supervision experience of at least a Master's Degree to completion is required.
• Emerging national profile in the discipline and a credible record of accredited, peer-reviewed publications.
• Evidence of managing a budget of at least R2.5 million per annum, including external donor reporting and audit interaction.
• Track record of administration, management and/ or leadership roles.