Rector

The University of Geneva (UNIGE) is a world-renowned public research university. Founded in 1559, it currently has around 18,300 students and 6,500 employees in its 9 faculties and 13 interfaculty centres and institutes. The University fosters a culture of excellence and promotes learning at all levels and across all disciplines, encouraging debate, critical thinking, innovation and collective knowledge.

In accordance with the University Act (Loi sur l’Université), its mission is three-pronged and focuses on:

1. Undergraduate and postgraduate education, as well as continuing education
2. Basic and applied research
3. Community outreach

THE UNIVERSITY OF GENEVA IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO FILL
THE FULL-TIME POSITION OF RECTOR FOR A FOUR-YEAR RENEWABLE PERIOD

Start date: 1 April 2024 or a date to be agreed upon. The University can provide support to ease the transition and enable the new Rector to familiarise her- or himself with the institution.

— The position

The Rector guarantees the smooth functioning of the University. She or he represents the institution before cantonal and federal authorities, as well as international collaborative research organisations, and seeks to involve the university community in strategic decisions. The Rector has a team of 3 to 5 vice-rectors. The vice-rectors guide the vision behind the University’s educational and research policies, as well as its implementation.

According to the University Act and staff regulations, the Rector is appointed by Geneva’s Council of State (Conseil d’État), upon the recommendation of the University Assembly (l’Assemblée de l’Université), and given a four-year renewable contract.

— Tasks and responsibilities

The Rector will be responsible for:

• directing and participating in the University of Geneva’s education, research and community outreach activities, alongside a management team that represents the institution’s wide range of interests and expertise;
• supporting and helping to develop the work of students and academic, administrative and technical staff; 
• building and promoting a strategic vision for the institution’s short-, medium- and long-term development in a manner that is coherent with the global socio-ecological transition, so that the institution will be adequately prepared for future challenges as a collective;
• representing the institution and its interests before municipal, cantonal, federal and international authorities;
• developing and promoting collaborations with other higher education and research institutes;
• interacting on an ongoing basis with the wider community and the network of businesses, associations and institutions that surround the University.
• safeguarding the institution’s image and standing on a national and international level, thereby preserving its reputation as a first-rate research university.

— Profile

Applicants should possess the following qualities:

• Academic credentials, including a doctoral degree or another degree deemed to be equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience in the strategic and operational management of a higher education or public institution, preferably in Switzerland.
• The ability to relate Switzerland’s and Geneva’s political, cultural, economic and social context to the global movement of socio-ecological transition.
• The ability to listen, show conviction, and engage in dialogue and diplomacy, as well as bring together the institution’s bodies and faculties.
• Rigour in comprehending, analysing and managing complex situations.
• A belief in the university values of searching for and examining truth to serve public interest.
• A proven desire to reconcile the University’s autonomy with its social responsibility towards the larger community
• The necessary language skills (in French, German and English) to interact effectively with academic and political partners in Switzerland and abroad.

Applicants are required to submit a letter outlining their motivations, agenda and ideas for constituting a team, as well as a CV and research portfolio containing a list of publications and an overview of the applicant’s academic career, highlighting her or his teaching, research, institutional and administrative activities. Applicants must also supply the names of two to four references.

Applications should be sent by email to the President of the University Assembly:

presidence-assemblee@unige.ch
Deadline: 30 June 2023

The secretariat of the University Assembly is available to answer questions and provide additional information (assemblee@unige.ch). Selected applicants will be invited to take part in an initial non-public session, consisting of a presentation and interview, with the University Assembly. Finalists for the position will undergo assessment and be asked to present their agendas at a public session before the end of the year.
The nomination process will take place with the support of an expert who will ensure that issues of diversity and, in particular, gender are taken into account.

For more information, go to:
www.unige.ch/-/designation-rectrice-recteur