Assistant Lecturer Geography and Runyakitara job at University of Saint Joseph Mbarara (USJM)

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

University of Saint Joseph Mbarara (USJM) invites applications from suitably qualified, competent and motivated individuals for various academic, administrative, technical and support staff positions. The available opportunities span different areas of the University, including teaching and research, student affairs, human resource management, academic administration, library services, ICT, estates and facilities, sports, health, records and examinations, and security.

Responsibilities or duties

The Assistant lecturer will be responsible for teaching, assessment, research, student supervision and community engagement in Geography and Runyakitara, with particular emphasis on the integration of geographical knowledge, language, culture, environment and community development.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Teach undergraduate and, where applicable, postgraduate courses in Geography and Runyakitara,
• Prepare and deliver lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical sessions and field-based learning activities,
• Develop, review and update course outlines, teaching materials and assessment instruments,
• Assess students through coursework, examinations, practical exercises, fieldwork and other appropriate methods,
• Supervise undergraduate research projects and, where qualified, postgraduate dissertations,
• Conduct original research in Geography, Runyakitara, language and culture, environment, community development or related interdisciplinary areas,
• Publish research findings in recognised peer-reviewed journals and other scholarly outlets,
• Participate in curriculum development and review for Geography, Runyakitara and related programmes,
• Integrate local language and indigenous knowledge into geographical and community-based teaching and research where appropriate,
• Participate in community engagement, outreach, consultancy and extension activities,
• Participate in departmental and university committees, quality assurance activities and academic administration,
• Keep abreast of developments in Geography, language studies, education and related fields,
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Head of Department, Dean or relevant University authority.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong academic competence in Geography together with proven proficiency and/or academic training in Runyakitara, enabling effective teaching and research across the two areas.

Applicants should possess:

• A Master's degree in Geography, Education, Linguistics, African Languages, Literature or a closely related field from a recognised university,
• A Bachelor's degree in Education with Geography, Languages, Literature, Linguistics or a closely related discipline as the teaching subject,
• Excellent oral and written proficiency in Runyakitara,
• Knowledge of GIS, environmental studies, physical and human geography, regional development, language documentation, translation, literature or cultural studies will be an added advantage,
• Membership of a relevant professional or academic body will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge on Competence Based Teaching is an added advantage,
• PhD track in relevant disciple from a recognised university will be an added advantage.

Experience needed

Evidence of experience in teaching Geography and/or Runyakitara at university, tertiary or other appropriate educational level,

Evidence of research and scholarly publication will be an added advantage.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English and Runyakitara,
• Strong knowledge of geographical concepts, theories and contemporary issues,
• Ability to teach using learner-centred and competency-based approaches,
• Ability to connect Geography with local language, culture, environment and community development,
• Strong research, academic writing and publication skills,
• Competence in digital teaching and learning technologies,
• Ability to supervise student research and fieldwork,
• Commitment to academic integrity, professional ethics and continuous professional development,
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary academic environment.

Depending on the candidate's specialisation, the Assistant Lecturer may be expected to teach courses in areas such as:

Geography:

• Physical Geography,
• Human Geography,
• Economic Geography,
• Development Geography,
• Environmental Geography,
• Population and Settlement Geography,
• Regional Geography,
• Urban and Rural Development,
• Geography of Uganda and East Africa,
• Cartography, GIS and Remote Sensing
• Research Methods and Field Studies.

Runyakitara

• Runyakitara Language,
• Runyakitara Grammar,
• Oral Literature and Folklore,
• Runyakitara Literature,
• Translation and Interpretation,
• African Languages and Culture,
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems,
• Language, Culture and Community Development.

• Teach undergraduate and, where applicable, postgraduate courses in Geography and Runyakitara,
• Prepare and deliver lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical sessions and field-based learning activities,
• Develop, review and update course outlines, teaching materials and assessment instruments,
• Assess students through coursework, examinations, practical exercises, fieldwork and other appropriate methods,
• Supervise undergraduate research projects and, where qualified, postgraduate dissertations,
• Conduct original research in Geography, Runyakitara, language and culture, environment, community development or related interdisciplinary areas,
• Publish research findings in recognised peer-reviewed journals and other scholarly outlets,
• Participate in curriculum development and review for Geography, Runyakitara and related programmes,
• Integrate local language and indigenous knowledge into geographical and community-based teaching and research where appropriate,
• Participate in community engagement, outreach, consultancy and extension activities,
• Participate in departmental and university committees, quality assurance activities and academic administration,
• Keep abreast of developments in Geography, language studies, education and related fields,
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Head of Department, Dean or relevant University authority.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English and Runyakitara,
• Strong knowledge of geographical concepts, theories and contemporary issues,
• Ability to teach using learner-centred and competency-based approaches,
• Ability to connect Geography with local language, culture, environment and community development,
• Strong research, academic writing and publication skills,
• Competence in digital teaching and learning technologies,
• Ability to supervise student research and fieldwork,
• Commitment to academic integrity, professional ethics and continuous professional development,
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary academic environment.

• A Master's degree in Geography, Education, Linguistics, African Languages, Literature or a closely related field from a recognised university,
• A Bachelor's degree in Education with Geography, Languages, Literature, Linguistics or a closely related discipline as the teaching subject,
• Excellent oral and written proficiency in Runyakitara,
• Knowledge of GIS, environmental studies, physical and human geography, regional development, language documentation, translation, literature or cultural studies will be an added advantage,
• Membership of a relevant professional or academic body will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge on Competence Based Teaching is an added advantage,
• PhD track in relevant disciple from a recognised university will be an added advantage.