Posted: 2026-11-04 18:06:39  Deadline: November 27, 2026   Full-time   Salary: Confidential

United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa), a leading higher learning institution based in Nairobi, Kenya, is seeking to recruit an astute scholar and accomplished executive leader for the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics: Transformative Teaching, Learning and Research. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership in transforming the University's academic enterprise, strengthening academic excellence, student success, research, innovation and global relevance.

Position Details

Position: Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics: Transformative Teaching, Learning and Research.
Institution: United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa).
Department: Academics.
Location: Nairobi, Kenya.
Job Type: Full-time.
Experience Level: Management.
Job Ad Expiry: November 27, 2026.

About USIU-Africa

United States International University-Africa is a higher learning institution based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is the most diverse university in East and Central Africa, with approximately 7,000 students from over 60 nations and a global network of more than 25,000 alumni. USIU-Africa is the only university in Sub-Saharan Africa whose degree programmes are accredited by both the Kenya Government through the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the American Government through the WASC Senior Colleges and Universities Commission (WSCUC).

Job Profile and Purpose

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Transformative Teaching, Learning and Research will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the University's academic enterprise, driving academic excellence, student success, institutional competitiveness and global relevance. The role will shape academic programmes, teaching and research around the knowledge and practical capabilities graduates need in a changing world, while promoting interdisciplinary work, digital transformation and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will be accountable for academic quality, effective teaching, rigorous assessment, programme relevance, graduate employability, research integration, digital learning, global academic collaboration and faculty development. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor will lead senior academic leaders and oversee academic programmes, teaching and learning, research and innovation, digital learning, academic administration and academic resource planning.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction and oversight for transformative teaching, learning and research across schools and departments, translating the University's Strategic Plan into measurable academic outcomes and development priorities.
Lead the development of academic policies and regulations and oversee the implementation of University Senate decisions while preserving academic freedom and the University's institutional ethos.
Provide regular reports to Council, Senate and the Management Board, offering technical advice to management and using academic performance data to assess progress, identify risks and direct improvement.
Review existing academic programmes and lead the development and approval of new curricula based on future skills, industry needs, labour market demand and emerging disciplines.
Maintain a relevant, high-quality and financially sustainable programme mix across all academic levels.
Strengthen competency-based education, experiential learning and interdisciplinary programmes to equip graduates with practical capabilities, problem-solving skills and professional judgement.
Work with deans to improve teaching effectiveness, assessment quality and student learning outcomes through clear learning outcomes, rigorous assessment and continuous evaluation.
Ensure qualified academic personnel, learning resources and academic information resources support effective programme delivery.
Use employer and graduate feedback, alongside academic evidence, to inform programme renewal and skills development.
Collaborate with deans and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life to improve student retention, academic progression and timely graduation through academic advising, mentoring, inclusive learning and coordinated support.
Use progression, attrition, completion and learning outcome data to target interventions and evaluate their effectiveness.
Build inclusive academic environments that enable students from diverse backgrounds to participate, develop confidence and realise their potential.
Connect academic learning with practical experience and career readiness to improve graduate employability and students' transition beyond their studies.
Establish strategic direction for research and innovation, strengthening research quality, outputs and impact while connecting scholarship with societal and industry needs.
Integrate research into teaching and programme development, expanding research-led programmes and postgraduate pathways.
Strengthen postgraduate supervision, researcher development and the connection between academic inquiry, learning and practice.
Champion interdisciplinary research and programme development, bringing schools and disciplines together to address complex problems and emerging areas of knowledge.
Promote student innovation, problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking through inquiry, applied projects and opportunities to develop and test ideas.
Facilitate publication and dissemination of research findings and strengthen research support, including proposal development, research collaborations and funding opportunities.
Oversee research ethics management and uphold research integrity, responsible conduct and appropriate ethical review.
Lead the academic adoption of appropriate technologies and expand flexible, online and hybrid learning options where they enhance access, programme quality and student outcomes.
Work with deans and technology teams to strengthen digital pedagogy, faculty capability and accessible learning resources.
Use learning analytics and academic information systems to monitor engagement, progression and learning outcomes, identify emerging concerns and guide timely academic support.
Hold deans accountable for the quality of teaching, research and assessment within their schools and ensure academic standards meet regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with quality assurance and accreditation liaison functions on review readiness, evidence requirements and academic corrective actions.
Ensure schools provide timely and accurate documentation and implement agreed improvements for concurrent American and Kenyan accreditation reviews.
Strengthen academic administration and the performance of schools and departments, plan the academic calendar and ensure adherence to teaching schedules, examinations and holidays.
Coordinate University examinations and oversee policies relating to student academic standards, student discipline and academic personnel discipline, applying fair procedures.
Collaborate with the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life in planning University graduation ceremonies.
Lead, mentor, coach, supervise and evaluate senior academic leaders, setting clear expectations for academic performance, research development and student success.
Oversee academic recruitment and evaluation through appropriate institutional processes and support faculty development and mentorship.
Build a culture of collaboration, inclusion, integrity and innovation while leading change across the academic enterprise.
Develop and manage the annual budget for the Transformative Teaching, Learning and Research portfolio, aligning expenditure, academic staffing and learning resources with institutional priorities and sustainability.
Lead planning for academic resources, including those provided through the Mastercard Foundation, in collaboration with relevant University functions.
Collaborate with the Director of Advancement and relevant academic leaders to develop and support joint programmes, exchange opportunities and international academic collaborations.
Contribute academic expertise to the development, implementation and review of partnerships that support the University's mission and vision.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field of specialisation from a recognised university or equivalent.
At least the academic rank of Associate Professor.
Relevant professional qualification and membership of a relevant professional body.
Over thirteen (13) years of relevant experience, with over five (5) years in management, three (3) of which should be at senior management level in a similar organisation.
A record of teaching, service and scholarship consistent with tenure, and a track record of successful academic leadership.
Broad and detailed knowledge of higher education and its changing landscape, including curriculum relevance, assessment of learning and institutional and programme accreditation.
Evidence of leading senior academic leaders and working across disciplines to improve teaching, research, student outcomes and organisational performance.

Key Skills

Strategic and Operational Planning: Ability to translate institutional ambitions into long-term, integrated plans, clear priorities and measurable academic outcomes.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: Ability to interpret teaching, assessment, progression, completion, employability and research data to identify trends, direct interventions and assess results.
Academic Transformation: Ability to review programmes against industry needs and future skills, strengthen practical and interdisciplinary learning and improve assessment quality.
Research and Digital Learning Leadership: Ability to connect research with teaching and postgraduate development, support innovation and guide effective adoption of online, hybrid and flexible learning.
Business and Financial Acumen: Sound financial judgement, resource management and the ability to balance academic priorities with institutional sustainability.
Communication and Collaboration: Strong listening and communication skills, ability to articulate the University's vision and work effectively with academic, professional and external stakeholders.
Academic Quality and Accreditation: Ability to evaluate programme quality, lead academic improvement and work constructively with independent assurance and accreditation functions.

Key Competencies

People and Culture Leadership: Ability to lead and manage deans and senior academic leaders with approachability, clear accountability and the courage to make difficult decisions while developing faculty capability and mentorship.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Ability to build commitment across schools, connect expertise and champion joint research and programme development.
Governance and Integrity: Executive presence, high ethical standards and sound judgement, with respect for academic freedom, research ethics and independent assurance.
Innovation and Change Leadership: Ability to anticipate changes in higher education, challenge practices that limit learning or performance and create an environment that supports experimentation and improvement.
Inclusive and Student-Centred Leadership: Ability to build teaching, learning and research environments that respond to a diverse campus community and connect academic excellence with student success.
Global Outlook and Institutional Advocacy: Ability to build academic connectivity, represent the University's ambitions persuasively and collaborate with those responsible for Advancement and external relationships.

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the online application portal by Friday, November 27, 2026.

Application Link: Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics: Transformative Teaching, Learning and Research at USIU-Africa (Online Application Link)