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Head of Department of Veterinary Medicine

Employer
ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Location
Letterkenny, Donegal (IE)
Salary
€93,174 - €119,791
Closing date
28 Dec 2024
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Reference No.: 016007

Nature and Duration of Contract: Permanent Wholetime Contract

A panel may be created for the filling of this post. This panel may be used if this post becomes vacant again within twelve months.

Reporting To: Head of the Faculty of Science and Health, ATU Donegal.

Department / Function: Department of Veterinary Medicine

Location: ATU Donegal, Letterkenny Campus (with occasional presence in ATU Mountbellew).

Essential Qualifications and Skills: 

The successful applicant must hold:

  • An honours degree in Veterinary Medicine and be registered, or eligible to register, as a Veterinary Practitioner with the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
  • Minimum of five years relevant post-qualifying experience.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

  • Experience in the development and/or implementation of higher education programmes for accreditation by regulatory bodies aligned to the discipline of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Qualified at Ph.D. level or equivalent experience within the Veterinary field.
  • Experience of meeting the professional and regulatory standards and requirements for Veterinary Medicine.
  • Demonstrable evidence of excellence in teaching, learning, assessment and pedagogical innovation at third level in Veterinary Medicine.
  • Leadership in curriculum design and implementation in Veterinary Medicine.
  • Experience in a senior management role and effective people management skills.
  • Professional experience in Veterinary Medicine.
  • An understanding of the Higher Education sector and associated policies and strategies.
  • Demonstrable evidence of leadership in advancing gender equality.
  • Experience of developing and implementing strategic plans.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
  • Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Experience of budget management.
  • An active research profile and track record in research funding applications, and proven leadership in research.
  • Experience of the management of educational quality assurance processes.
  • Excellent IT skills.

Such factors may or may not be taken into account should there be a need for short listing of applicants for interview.

Job Description

ATU is a new Technological University in the west and northwest of Ireland formed from the merger of three Institutes of Technology in 2022. The Faculty of Science and Health is developing a new programme of study in Veterinary Medicine which will complement existing programmes across ATU in Veterinary Nursing and Agriculture and increase the provision of Veterinary Medicine education in Ireland. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced academic to be involved in establishing a new programme of study in Veterinary Medicine in Ireland. The successful candidate will be instrumental in provide strategic leadership and vision in the new programme’s development and delivery.

As the Head of a new Department, you will report to the Head of Faculty and you will be a valued member of the University’s senior management team. You will have overall responsibility for the development, implementation and accreditation of the new degree in Veterinary Medicine, which is due to commence in September 2025, and associated programmes in the Department.

Specifically, you will provide leadership in key areas including curriculum development, programme accreditation, professional and regulatory body compliance, and human, animal and physical resourcing. 

Your new role will require you to be an effective leader in veterinary education across the University, ensuring the Faculty is a successful, innovative and inclusive learning environment in which academic staff and students flourish.

You will have an important role to play, internally and externally, in promoting an environment and culture that nurtures and supports staff and students from all kinds of backgrounds. 

As a key member of academic management, you will be responsible for the efficient and effective management of the new Department, its academic programmes, students and resources. 

As Head of Department you will contribute to the achievement of the ATU strategic plan and Faculty plans by providing effective management and academic leadership within their Department.  You will be responsible for liaising and collaborating closely with ATU Mountbellew to ensure effective management of curriculum delivery and student support in ATU Mountbellew.  The HOD will be closely involved in the management of clinical teaching facilities You will be responsible for the management of departmental staff, and the planning of teaching and learning, research and commercial engagement. You will have responsibility for student recruitment, access and inclusion, and graduate outcomes.

Heads of Department are required to be in regular communication with departmental staff and to be responsive to staff and the interests of the wider ATU.  You will demonstrate vision, management skills, the ability to acquire resources, and skills to influence others in completing tasks and targets.   The Head of Department has responsibility for communication of policies and procedures to departmental staff to ensure compliance with quality processes, regulatory, professional body and governance.

Duties / Key Responsibilities

The appointee will be responsible, through the Head of Faculty, to the President for the efficient and effective management and control of the assigned Department, and for its development in accordance with ATU policy and plans.

The appointee will lead, direct and manage the academic programmes at Department level including teaching, research, programme development and design, academic assessment and academic administration.

The appointee will act as advisor and leader in quality assurance issues and will implement agreed quality assurance procedures and other procedures including progression, complaints processing, grievance and disciplinary, etc.

The appointee will manage and direct the staff of the Department including timetabling and evaluating staff performance.

The appointee will promote research, technology and knowledge transfer and regional development through engagement and collaboration with business, industry and the wider community.

The appointee will carry out such duties as are assigned by the President/Head of Faculty as appropriate, including but not limited to: -

  • Developing a rolling strategic and operational plan for the Department consistent with Faculty and ATU objectives and ensuring the staff are continuously advised on plans, policy and other necessary matters.
  • Providing overall management and administration of the Department, including managing the Department budget and maintaining appropriate records and making available information as required by senior management
  • Playing a leading role in the development, implementation and maintenance of academic quality assurance arrangements
  • Providing academic leadership and scholarship on existing and new courses, in course development and in course coordination
  • Directing and supervising the work of members of staff of the Department, including evaluating staff performance and acting in an advisory capacity and as a professional support in academic matters to colleagues 
  • Advising on and participating in recruiting suitably qualified staff and managing, in consultation with the Head of Faculty and other relevant members of ATU management, the development and implementation of a staff development programme for the Department  
  • Participating in appropriate activities, including external activities, necessary to the development and promotion of the Department, Faculty and University; advising on and participating in the promotion and marketing of the Department, Faculty and University, its research, and its courses including the preparation of marketing literature and brochures and advising on student intake
  • Teaching classes for up to 105 hours per annum and carrying out assessment, monitoring and evaluation of examination work and providing an academic and consultative support to students in their learning activities; directing and supervising the work of Tutor/Demonstrators and taking academic responsibility for the academic standards of this work
  • Working with the central management team [e.g. Registrar, Vice Presidents, central services managers] and other Heads of Faculty and Department as required and participating in committees as required from time to time.  
  • Liaising closely with ATU Mountbellew on programme related requirements and activities.
  • Liaising with awarding bodies, trade and professional organizations, government agencies etc. as required
  • Advising on equipment and physical requirements
  • Participating in committees and meetings as required
  • Carrying out such other appropriate duties as may be assigned by the Head of Faculty from time to time.

The appointee shall carry out the lawful instructions of the President (or Nominee) and comply with the requirements and regulations of the Minister.

Salary Scale

Senior Lecturer II Salary Scale €93,174 - €119,791

Candidates may be considered for incremental credit above point 1 of the scale for previous relevant industry experience in accordance with University Policy.

Where an assistant Lecturer or lecturer currently employed in a Technological University/Institute of Technology is appointed to a post that is lower than the current grade, then the starting salary shall be the salary point which is equal to or immediately above the point currently held on the present grade or the maximum of the new scale – whichever is the lesser – and he/she shall retain his/her existing incremental date.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

In accordance with ATU’s commitment to equality of opportunity for all job applicants, you are asked to request any reasonable accommodation in sufficient time to ensure you can participate fully in the recruitment process.

Please contact recruitment@atu.ie should you require any assistance.

Closing Date

12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday 10 January 2025

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