The Apex University of Liberia, is pleased to announce a vacancy for the position of PROVOST/ VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS (VPAA)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:         

Apex University of Liberia invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). The Provost / Vice President – Academic Affairs serves as the university’s chief academic officer and is responsible for ensuring excellence and innovation across the institution’s programs. The VPAA will work collaboratively with Deans and Department Chairs, and students across the university to develop programs that will have a substantial and lasting impact on the student experience and academic mission of the institution. This position reports directly to the president of the University and, as the Provost, / Vice President for Academic Affairs you will be expected to work in concert with the president to strengthen the university’s academic reputation as a leading institution of higher education in Liberia. The Vice President for Academic Affairs should understand the key social, economic, technological, and political challenges and opportunities affecting higher education today, and bring creativity and vision to Apex University of Liberia efforts.

KEY DUTIES OF THE POSITION

• Collaborate with the Deans, faculty, students, and staff to foster and advance academic excellence and student success on campus.
• Lead a team to ensure that all policies of the university are developed to meet its demand.
•  Oversee the strategic planning and budgeting process for Academic Affairs.
•  Design and oversee the implementation of initiatives that support university objectives and will advance scholarly and creative pursuits among faculty, and undergraduate students.
•  Lead efforts to recruit and retain distinguished, diverse academicians, professors as part of an effort to expand the prominence and global reach of the faculty at the university.
•  Nurture ongoing efforts to advance inclusion, equity, and diversity among all university constituencies.
•  Develop and implement strategies to enrich student success, including students’ classroom, research, and extracurricular experiences at undergraduate levels.
• Promote interdisciplinary, cross-college programs and projects that will build on areas of existing strength.
•  Lead interuniversity curriculum efforts to meet student, community, and market demands.
•  Work with the President and other vice presidents to further university strategic goals and outcomes.
•  Recommend additions and alterations to the physical plant that are needed for academic purposes.
•  Work with the Deans and Department Chairs to develop unit-specific priorities and plans and must be a team player.
•  Maintain and enhance AUL’s academic standards in accordance with expectations of appropriate accrediting bodies.
• The provost/vice president for academic affairs oversees the development of the strategic plan for academic affairs, assigns responsibilities for its   implementation, reviews academic policies for their consistency with the strategic plan and university mission, and has responsibility for the overall evaluation of the plan’s implementation and outcomes. The provost/vice president for academic affairs coordinates initiatives and ongoing programs across all areas of academic affairs and guides the establishment of annual and long-term priorities.
•  Effectively engage in university advancement activities.
• Other academic and administrative responsibilities as assigned by the President or the Board.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION:

An earned doctorate (PhD) in a recognized academic discipline. PhD in Education is an advantage.

AUL seeks an individual of significant scholarly accomplishment with the experience, dedication, and breadth of vision to serve as the chief academic officer. The individual should possess a firm commitment to academic excellence, the ability to work constructively and collaboratively with multiple constituencies through a model of shared governance, and a proven ability to translate ideas and visions into action.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Must have worked in an academic environment for a period of 10- years concomitantly.
• Earned tenure and rank of Professor (and advantage) from an accredited institution with a distinguished record of teaching, and service accomplishments that exhibit commitment to academic excellence.
• Strong and effective communication skills. Must have the ability to adequately articulate the mission, vision of the institution on radios, televisions and other public engagements.
• Understanding of student recruitment, retention and student affairs operations and demonstrated capabilities in university advancement and fundraising.
• Experience with undergraduate and setting up of Professional programs (Short Term Capacity Building for Certificate and Diploma).
• A history of progressively responsible, successful experience as an academic administrator at the dean level or other senior academic positions in an institution of higher learning.
• Experience in developing and/or securing extramural grant and contract funding.
• Experience with budget, recruitment, and evaluation.
•  Experience in strategic planning, assessment of program effectiveness, and development of policy to enhance academic units within the University and with national accrediting bodies.
•  A demonstrated commitment to the promotion of diversity, inclusion and equity.

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES:

•  A commitment to effective, inclusive, and collaborative leadership.
•  Demonstrated commitment to student success.
•  The capacity to formulate and articulate a shared vision, to persuade a wide range of audiences of its value, and to engage others in its implementation.
•  Ability to articulate the value of all disciplines and departmental objectives at AUL and an ability to ascertain and recognize excellence in each.
• An understanding and appreciation of collective bargaining and shared governance.
•  Capacity to motivate and inspire others to strive continuously for excellence.
•  Innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ability to set priorities, plan to achieve them, and communicate effectively with multiple constituencies to implement said plans.

SUPERVISION:

The Vice President for Academic Affairs reports to the President and supervises academic administrators, professional and support staff. Specifically, the Vice President for Academic Affairs works collaboratively with the deans in the executive of academic programs.

He/she is directly responsible to the President for carrying out all educational policies, for implementing all programs and projects of the institution, and for supervising curricular, instructional, and other academic activities in the institution. In addition, he/she shall perform the following specific duties and functions:

• Plan and implement approved plans on academic affairs and programs of the university in coordination with other Deans and Heads of Departments.
•  Assume educational leadership in the academic council;
• Implement university policies on academic affairs and shall promote the welfare and development of faculty members, Campus Directors, Deans, Heads of units and the students;
• Manage and supervise all the Deans of colleges, Dean of Student Affairs and all academic units of the university;
• Recommend to the University’s President policies on promotion and qualified persons to fill positions in the different offices and units under your supervision;
• Conduct meetings and conferences with the Deans, Heads of Units and faculty members; and
• Perform other functions as may be delegated by the President or the Board.

All interested candidates must address your communication to:

Mr. Joseph T. Giddings, Sr.

VICE PRESIDENT /ADMINISTRATION

Apex University of Liberia (AUL), First floor

72^nd, S.K.D. Boulevard, Paynesville City

Republic of Liberia

Email: togbahgiddings@gmail.com

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST CONTAIN OFFICIAL COPIES OF ALL ACADEMIC CERTIFICATES! APPLICANTS CAN SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION THROUGH SOFT OR HARD COPY. OFFICE HOUR IS MONDAYS TO FRIDAY, 8:30AM TO 4:00PM

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATION IS FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025 AND SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST PREPARED TO START WORK WITH IN TWO WEEKS.