CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

 "Developing a new breed of agriculturist"

Are you looking for an exciting and challenging career in a rapidly transforming academic institution? Do you want to make a contribution towards developing young talent to stand their ground in a highly competitive agricultural sector internationally?

The Agricultural Management Program at the North Campus of the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth needs your talent, passion and commitment to strengthen our teaching and research in commercial ecological agriculture. A vacancy exists for a Senior Lecturer in the School of Environmental Sciences, in the field of Agricultural Economics, Plant and/or Animal Production. The purpose of this academic post is to teach and research at the interface of both agricultural economics and animal production sciences, emphasizing the integration of management and science in an agricultural business context. The post requires a person who has the ability to teach and research across disciplines within the Agricultural Economic field. If you have what it takes to serve the needs of our students, our region and the South African agricultural sector and your credentials meet the requirements of this position, we invite you to apply for this exciting new opportunity in our Department of Agricultural Sciences

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• To teach undergraduate students in the Agricultural Management program in the fields of commercial Agricultural Business Management and Agricultural Production.
• To facilitate student learning at postgraduate level in commercial Agricultural Economics, Business Management, Plant and Animal Production.
• To conduct, supervise and publish research relevant to Agricultural Economics and Production.
• To engage with the agricultural industry in terms of consultation, teaching and research.
• To perform administrative and management functions in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, as required by the Head of Department.
• To undertake curriculum development for new courses and curricula.

CORE COMPETENCIES & REQUIREMENTS

COMPETENCIES

• An ability to understand agricultural economics and agriculture as an integrated and complex system and to work across disciplines within the agricultural business sector.
• An ability to engage and work with other people to achieve results beneficial to society.
• A proven ability to network with practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders in industry.
• The ability to apply Agricultural Economy and Scientific concepts in practice.
• The potential to conduct applied research, publish research results and attract research funding.
• Capacity and aptitude for teamwork and working with groups of people.
• Ability to be creative and innovative in the workplace.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

REQUIREMENTS

• A qualification in the field of Agricultural Economics.  For appointment to senior lecturer level, a  PhD will be required.
• 1-5 years of relevant working experience in an academic institute and relevant industry work experience outside an academic institution will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge and application of Agricultural Economic principles in soil-plant-animal-management interactions within a commercial land use enterprise
• Evidence of a research portfolio, in line with the level of the post, must include papers published in accredited journals, subject-specific conference proceedings and evidence of postgraduate supervision  from honours to PhD level   
• A willingness and ability to pursue work in the field of Agricultural Management, Agricultural Production Management and Ecological Agriculture will be an added advantage.