Head of Graduate Studies and Research job at International University of East Africa

About the University

The International University of East Africa (IUEA) is a dynamic higher education institution committed to excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement. As part of its continued growth and commitment to strengthening postgraduate education and research capacity, the University invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the position of Head of Graduate Studies and Research.

Job Purpose

The Head of Graduate Studies and Research will provide strategic leadership and coordination for the University's graduate studies and research agenda in alignment with the University's Strategic Plan, academic vision, and institutional objectives.

The position is responsible for strengthening postgraduate program, enhancing research excellence, promoting innovation, supporting postgraduate student development, and building strategic research partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Graduate Studies Leadership

• Coordinate the development, review, and establishment of postgraduate programs in alignment with the University's strategic priorities.
• Provide leadership in the administration, quality assurance, and continuous improvement of graduate programs.
• Oversee postgraduate admissions processes to ensure compliance with approved entry requirements and academic standards.
• Support effective management of postgraduate teaching, supervision, examinations, research, and degree award processes.
• Promote high standards in postgraduate supervision and academic mentorship.

Research Development and Innovation

• Strengthen the University's research profile and promote the development of strategic research areas.
• Develop initiatives that encourage research productivity, collaboration, and innovation among academic staff and postgraduate students.
• Promote postgraduate research culture through seminars, conferences, workshops, and academic forums.
• Develop and support post-doctoral research initiatives, including fellowship programs where appropriate.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for external research funding and strategic partnerships.

Graduate Outcomes and Tracer Studies

• Develop and Implement the University's graduate tracer study framework and schedule.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of graduate tracer studies and graduate outcome surveys.
• Analyze tracer study findings and prepare reports to inform curriculum review, graduate employability, research planning, policy development, and institutional decision-making.

Institutional Leadership

• Participate as a member of the University's senior management team and contribute to institutional planning and decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with Faculties, Schools, academic departments, and administrative units to advance graduate education and research.
• Provide strategic advice to University Management and Senate on postgraduate and research matters.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Vice Chancellor or Senate.

Requirements

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

Essential Requirements

• A PhD qualification in a relevant discipline with a strong research and postgraduate teaching background.
• At least 3–5 years’ experience in a senior academic or management leadership role with supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in postgraduate program development, research leadership, or academic administration.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Strong ICT skills and ability to use digital academic management systems.

Desirable Requirements

Candidates with the following will have an added advantage:

• Experience in developing and managing postgraduate programs.
• Demonstrated success in research grant applications and project management.
• Experience leading academic meetings, committees, and institutional initiatives.
• Experience working with academic management platforms.
• Experience in academic records management and quality assurance systems.

Competencies Required

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Strategic academic leadership.
• Strong research and innovation orientation.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to build research partnerships and networks.
• Effective team leadership and mentoring capability.
• Commitment to academic excellence and institutional transformation.

Key Stakeholder Engagement

The Head of Graduate Studies and Research will work closely with:

• Vice Chancellor.
• University Management Board.
• Senate.
• Faculties and Academic Departments.
• Research partners and external stakeholders.
• Graduate students and academic researchers.

• Coordinate the development, review, and establishment of postgraduate programs in alignment with the University's strategic priorities.
• Provide leadership in the administration, quality assurance, and continuous improvement of graduate programs.
• Oversee postgraduate admissions processes to ensure compliance with approved entry requirements and academic standards.
• Support effective management of postgraduate teaching, supervision, examinations, research, and degree award processes.
• Promote high standards in postgraduate supervision and academic mentorship.
• Strengthen the University's research profile and promote the development of strategic research areas.
• Develop initiatives that encourage research productivity, collaboration, and innovation among academic staff and postgraduate students.
• Promote postgraduate research culture through seminars, conferences, workshops, and academic forums.
• Develop and support post-doctoral research initiatives, including fellowship programs where appropriate.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for external research funding and strategic partnerships.
• Develop and Implement the University's graduate tracer study framework and schedule.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of graduate tracer studies and graduate outcome surveys.
• Analyze tracer study findings and prepare reports to inform curriculum review, graduate employability, research planning, policy development, and institutional decision-making.
• Participate as a member of the University's senior management team and contribute to institutional planning and decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with Faculties, Schools, academic departments, and administrative units to advance graduate education and research.
• Provide strategic advice to University Management and Senate on postgraduate and research matters.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Vice Chancellor or Senate.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Strong ICT skills and ability to use digital academic management systems.
• Strategic academic leadership.
• Strong research and innovation orientation.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to build research partnerships and networks.
• Effective team leadership and mentoring capability.
• Commitment to academic excellence and institutional transformation.

• A PhD qualification in a relevant discipline with a strong research and postgraduate teaching background.
• At least 3–5 years’ experience in a senior academic or management leadership role with supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in postgraduate program development, research leadership, or academic administration.
• Experience in developing and managing postgraduate programs.
• Demonstrated success in research grant applications and project management.
• Experience leading academic meetings, committees, and institutional initiatives.
• Experience working with academic management platforms.
• Experience in academic records management and quality assurance systems.