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North-West University
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The purpose of the position is to contribute to high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, curriculum development, scholarly activity, community engagement and academic administration within the School of Communication, with a specific focus on Digital Communication.
The Lecturer will contribute to the implementation, development and continuous renewal of the School's Communication offering, including the newly approved BA Honours in Digital Communication. The position will support the development of digitally literate, innovative and professionally competent graduates through contemporary, digitally enhanced and practice-oriented teaching.
The incumbent will contribute to the strategic growth of Digital Communication as an area of academic specialisation within the school, drawing on current developments in digital media, multimedia communication, digital content creation, artificial intelligence and emerging communication technologies, while strengthening links between academic theory, professional practice and industry.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Teaching:
• Present undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Digital Communication and related fields.
• Contribute to the implementation, development and continuous renewal of the BA Honours in Digital Communication as well as BA Communication qualifications.
• Develop and implement innovative learning materials and digitally enhanced teaching and learning practices.
• Integrate contemporary digital communication technologies, multimedia production, digital content creation and appropriate artificial intelligence applications into teaching and learning.
• Apply innovative, practical and student-centred approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.
• Mentor and support students, including project-based and Honours-level students.
• Contribute to the development of students' digital communication competencies and their readiness for professional practice.
• Contribute to the development of teaching and learning resources for face-to-face, blended and online learning environments.
• Participate in scholarly and professional activities that enhance teaching and learning within Digital Communication.
2. Curriculum development:
• Contribute to the development, implementation and continuous renewal of curricula in Digital Communication and related fields.
• Contribute to the development and ongoing refinement of the newly approved BA Honours in Digital Communication as well as the present BA Communication qualifications.
• Ensure that curriculum content reflects contemporary developments in Digital Communication, multimedia technologies, digital content creation, artificial intelligence and emerging communication technologies.
• Contribute to the development of innovative, digitally enhanced and practice-oriented learning activities and resources.
• Participate in curriculum review and programme renewal processes within the School, ensuring alignment with developments in the academic discipline and professional practice.
• Contribute to the strategic growth and development of Digital Communication as a specialist area within the School of Communication.
3. Scholarly work:
• Implement Conduct scholarly research in Digital Communication and related areas aligned with the research priorities and focus areas of the School of Communication.
• Develop and maintain an active research profile appropriate to the level of appointment.
• Contribute to collaborative research projects within the School, Faculty, University and, where appropriate, with external academic and industry partners.
• Publish research findings in recognised scholarly journals, books, chapters and other appropriate scholarly outputs.
• Contribute to the development of Digital Communication as an emerging area of scholarly specialisation within the School.
• Participate in research activities addressing contemporary developments in Digital Communication, including digital media, multimedia communication, digital content creation, artificial intelligence and emerging communication technologies.
• Contribute to postgraduate research supervision and mentoring, particularly at Honours level and, where appropriate to the incumbent's qualifications and research profile, at Master's level.
• Participate in scholarly conferences, seminars, colloquia and other academic activities that contribute to knowledge development and professional engagement in the field.
4. Administration and other tasks:
• Undertake academic and administrative responsibilities associated with teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum delivery.
• Contribute to academic quality assurance processes within the School, Faculty and University.
• Participate in School, Faculty and University committees and working groups as required.
• Contribute to the coordination and administration of the BA Communication and BA Honours in Digital Communication and related academic activities.
• Assist with the development, review and maintenance of study guides, learning materials, assessment activities and other academic resources.
• Manage and maintain student marks, assessment records and related academic administration in accordance with university policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the strategic development and growth of Digital Communication as a specialist area within the School of Communication.
• Participate in School activities, academic events and initiatives that support the academic and professional development of staff and students.
• Contribute to community engagement and industry-related activities relevant to Digital Communication and the School's strategic priorities.
• Provide appropriate academic mentoring and support to junior or less experienced academic staff in areas related to Digital Communication.
• Undertake other reasonable academic and administrative responsibilities associated with the position and the effective functioning of the School.
Minimum requirements• A Master’s degree in Digital Communication, Digital Media, Multimedia Design, Digital Content Creation, Interactive Media, User Experience Design (UX/UI), Human-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence for Communication, or another closely related Digital Communication or Communication discipline. The qualification should demonstrate appropriate alignment with the field of Digital Communication. (NQF Level 9).
• A minimum of two (2) years' experience in teaching and learning in higher education at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level.
• A minimum of two (2) years' experience in Digital Communication or a closely related academic field, including teaching curriculum development and/or scholarly activity.
• Experience in research and scholarly activity relevant to Digital Communication or relevant fields.
ADDED ADVANTAGE:
• A completed doctoral degree or evidence of significant progress towards a doctoral qualification (NQF Level 10).
• Practical/professional experience in Digital Communication or related fields, including industry/professional practice, consultancy, freelance work, entrepreneurial practice or significant collaborative projects.
• Experience in digital content creation/multimedia/digital media production at professional academic or project-based level.
• Experience in postgraduate teaching, mentoring or supervision at Honours and/or Master’s level.
• Experience in industry engagement/professional collaboration in Digital Communication, creative industries, technology or related sectors.
KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
1. Digital Communication knowledge and expertise
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of Digital Communication and contemporary developments in the discipline.
• Ability to apply Digital Communication theory and practice within higher education.
• Sound understanding of the broader Communication discipline and its relationship to Digital Communication.
2. Digital and technological competence
• Excellent digital literacy and technological competence.
• Demonstrated competence in digital content creation and multimedia communication.
• Knowledge and practical ability in relevant digital design, multimedia and content-production technologies.
• Knowledge and skills in the application of artificial intelligence platforms and tools relevant to the communication industry.
• Understanding of digital analytics, metrics and the evaluation of digital communication activities
3. Teaching. and curriculum competence
• Ability to design and deliver innovative, student-centred and digitally enhanced learning experiences.
• Ability to integrate theory, practical application and emerging technologies into teaching and learning.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to curriculum development and programme renewal.
• Ability to develop appropriate digital learning resources, learning materials and assessment activities.
• Ability to mentor and support students in the development of Digital Communication competencies.
4. Research and scholarly competence
• Demonstrated research potential appropriate to the level of appointment.
• Ability to conduct scholarly research in Digital Communication or related fields.
• Ability to contribute to collaborative research projects and scholarly outputs.
• Ability to communicate research findings through appropriate scholarly publications and academic forums.
5. Professional and project competence
• Ability to apply project-based approaches to Digital Communication teaching and learning.
• Ability to manage digital communication projects and activities effectively.
• Ability to engage with professional practice and emerging developments in Digital Communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate relationships with industry and professional organisations.
6. Desirable / Advantageous competencies
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent professional digital design and multimedia software.
• Experience in video editing, motion graphics, UX/UI, interactive media or visual communication.
• Experience in digital branding, digital campaign development or digital communication strategy.
• Experience in developing professional digital communication portfolios.
• Experience in establishing industry partnerships or collaborative projects.
• Experience with interdisciplinary projects involving communication, design and technology.
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
• Professional integrity and ethical conduct.
• Innovation, creativity and adaptability in a rapidly changing digital environment.
• Initiative, accountability and the ability to work independently.
• Collegiality and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal relationships.
• A strong student-centred approach and commitment to student success.
• Professional resilience and the ability to adapt to changing institutional and technological environments.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
REMUNERATION:
The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Prof Lida Holtzhausen. on 018 2991645
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Byron Louw on 018 285 2304
CLOSING DATE: 30 September 2026
PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: 1 January 2027
Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
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