Pro-Vice-Chancellor - Health Sciences

As New Zealand's oldest and most research-intensive university, the University of Otago is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world and attracts first-rate academics and students. Our graduates are renowned for their independence and audacity of spirit, and our alumni hold a variety of high-profile roles across a wide range of professions, including health, government, education, research and business within New Zealand and internationally.

The Division of Health Sciences is a cornerstone of the University of Otago. It is New Zealand's leading provider of education and research in health and biomedical sciences. It is a vibrant and ever-changing academic division with campuses in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington. The division is currently embracing a number of new opportunities as part of its exciting future, including a review of its structure, significant capital development programme and involvement as a stakeholder in the Dunedin Hospital rebuild.

Alongside its focus on research and teaching, the Division of Health Sciences is very active in national health workforce development, health systems planning, and contributing to national and international health policy. It has well-established national engagement with Māori, including particularly close partnerships with Ngāi Tahu, in the South Island, and many other iwi in the North Island.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor, and is the Division's senior academic and executive leader. The role has overall responsibility for implementing University-wide policy at the Divisional level and ensuring that the Division has a clear strategic direction that aligns with the University's Vision 2040 and strategic plan to 2030, Pae Tata.

As part of the alignment, you will be focusing on strengthening our capability, capacity and culture to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences will also be actively involved in working with government and the health sector, and helping produce research and graduates that will shape the future.

Some of the key responsibilities for this role will include:

• Developing and implementing a clear strategic vision for the Division that aligns with Pae Tata, and upholds the University's culture and values.
• Implementing the restructure of the Division in line with the recent Health Sciences Review.
• Ensuring support for research activities within the Division and more widely.
• Preparing and managing the budget.
• Allocating and managing resources to achieve the Division's objectives.
• Ensuring that all Deans allocate and manage their resources to achieve the objectives of their Faculty or School and contribute appropriately to the Division's objectives.

To be considered for appointment to this position, candidates will have:

• Demonstrated successful leadership ability at a senior management level in a research-intensive university.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and research.
• Demonstrated experience in leading structural change that inspires a positive culture of transformation.
• Ability to work within the Senior Leadership Team to advance Vision 2040 and Pae Tata.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• A current research programme at a high international standard and a commitment to maintaining this while serving as Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences.
• Ability to maintain postgraduate student supervision.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences, will be based in Dunedin, New Zealand. The successful candidate will possess outstanding interpersonal skills and will be expected to work collegially across the University and with external stakeholders, particularly in the wider health community.

Applications will close on Sunday, 22 October 2023.

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