United States International University - Africa is located in the Kasarani area, off Thika Road in the suburb of Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi. The university is an independent, not-for-profit institution serving 6512 students representing 69 nationalities. It offers 24 degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral level, all of which are accredi...

Responsibilities

Strategic Academic Leadership and Governance

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for transformative teaching, learning and research across schools and departments. Translate the academic components of the University’s Strategic Plan into implementation priorities, measurable outcomes and an academic development strategy that strengthens institutional competitiveness and global relevance.
• Lead the development of academic policies and regulations and oversee the implementation of University Senate decisions. Represent and advocate for the academic portfolio, preserving USIU-Africa’s distinctive character, academic freedom and institutional ethos.
• Provide regular reports to Council, Senate and the Management Board and technical advice to management. Use reliable academic performance data to assess progress, identify risks and direct improvement.

Academic Excellence and Programme Relevance

• Review existing programmes and lead the development and approval of new curricula against future skills, industry needs, labour market demand and emerging disciplines. Maintain a relevant, high-quality and financially sustainable programme mix across all levels.
• Strengthen competency-based education, experiential learning and interdisciplinary programmes. Ensure graduates develop practical capabilities, problem-solving skills and professional judgement that support employability and effective participation in the market.
• Work with deans to improve teaching effectiveness, assessment quality and student learning outcomes. Embed clear learning outcomes, rigorous assessment and continuous evaluation in programme delivery.
• Ensure qualified academic personnel, learning resources and academic information resources support effective delivery. Use employer and graduate feedback, alongside academic evidence, to inform programme renewal and skills development.

Student Success and Inclusive Learning

• Collaborate with deans and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life to improve retention, academic progression and timely graduation. Strengthen academic advising, mentoring, inclusive learning and coordinated support that identifies and addresses barriers to achievement.
• Use progression, attrition, completion and learning outcome data to target interventions and evaluate their effectiveness. Build academic environments in which students from diverse backgrounds can participate, develop confidence and realise their potential.
• Connect academic learning with practical experience and career readiness, collaborating across the University to improve graduate employability and students’ transition beyond their studies.

Research and Innovation Leadership

• Set a clear strategic direction for research and innovation that reflects the University’s priorities and connects scholarship with societal and industry needs. Lead through deans and academic leaders to strengthen research quality, outputs and impact.
• Integrate research into teaching and programme development, expanding research-led programmes and postgraduate pathways. Strengthen postgraduate supervision, researcher development and the connection between inquiry, learning and practice.
• Champion interdisciplinary research and programme development, bringing schools and disciplines together to address complex problems and emerging areas of knowledge. Create opportunities for collaborative projects that connect faculty expertise with student learning.
• Promote student innovation, problem solving and entrepreneurial thinking through inquiry, applied projects and opportunities to develop and test ideas. Support an academic culture in which experimentation and the practical application of research are encouraged.
• Facilitate publication and dissemination of research findings and strengthen research support, including the development of proposals and research collaborations. Work with relevant University functions to support funding opportunities and the responsible translation of research into practical benefit.
• Oversee research ethics management and related research functions within the academic portfolio. Uphold research integrity, responsible conduct and appropriate ethical review, working with the relevant institutional mechanisms.

Digital Transformation and Flexible Learning

• 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. Ensure digital delivery supports meaningful engagement and rigorous assessment rather than simply transferring existing content online.
• Use learning analytics and academic information systems to monitor engagement, progression and learning outcomes, identify emerging concerns and guide timely academic support. Evaluate the effectiveness of digital initiatives and uphold confidentiality and responsible use of data.

Academic Quality and Accreditation Collaboration

• Hold deans accountable for the quality of teaching, research and assessment within their schools. Ensure academic standards meet regulatory requirements and that programme review and improvement are supported by credible evidence.
• Collaborate with the quality assurance and accreditation liaison functions on review readiness, evidence requirements and academic corrective actions. Ensure schools provide timely, accurate documentation and implement agreed improvements for the concurrent American and Kenyan accreditation reviews.
• Maintain clear accountability for academic delivery through deans and academic leaders, while preserving the independence of institutional quality assurance and accreditation liaison arrangements. Use independent review findings to guide academic improvement.

Academic Administration

• Strengthen academic administration and the performance of schools and departments within the portfolio. 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, working with relevant University functions and applying fair procedures.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life in planning University graduation ceremonies.

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for transformative teaching, learning and research across schools and departments.
• Translate the academic components of the University’s Strategic Plan into implementation priorities, measurable outcomes and an academic development strategy.
• Lead the development of academic policies and regulations and oversee the implementation of University Senate decisions.
• Provide regular reports to Council, Senate and the Management Board and technical advice to management.
• Review existing programmes and lead the development and approval of new curricula.
• Strengthen competency-based education, experiential learning and interdisciplinary programmes.
• Work with deans to improve teaching effectiveness, assessment quality and student learning outcomes.
• Collaborate with deans and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life to improve retention, academic progression and timely graduation.
• Set a strategic direction for research and innovation and strengthen research quality, outputs and impact.
• Strengthen postgraduate supervision, researcher development, research support and research collaborations.
• Oversee research ethics management and uphold research integrity and responsible conduct.
• Lead academic adoption of appropriate technologies and expand flexible, online and hybrid learning options.
• Collaborate on academic quality, regulatory standards, programme review and accreditation readiness.
• Strengthen academic administration, plan the academic calendar and coordinate University examinations.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life in planning University graduation ceremonies.

• Strategic academic leadership
• Academic governance and policy development
• Curriculum development and programme review
• Competency-based and experiential learning
• Teaching effectiveness and assessment quality
• Student success, retention and academic advising
• Research leadership and innovation
• Postgraduate supervision and researcher development
• Digital pedagogy and flexible learning
• Learning analytics and data-informed decision-making
• Academic quality assurance and accreditation collaboration
• Academic administration and examination coordination
• Stakeholder collaboration and communication

• PhD/Fellowship
• Professional Certificate