Dean of Students

DEAN OF STUDENTS

JOB PURPOSE:

To provide strategic leadership and oversight of student affairs, welfare services, student governance, counselling and mental health services, accommodation services, student discipline, and co-curricular activities in support of student success and wellbeing. Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of Students is responsible for fostering an inclusive, student-centred environment that promotes academic achievement, personal development, leadership, and career readiness. The role works closely with academic and administrative departments, student representative bodies, and external stakeholders to develop and deliver programmes and services that enhance the overall student experience from admission to graduation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all student affairs functions, ensuring alignment with the University’s mission, strategic objectives, and commitment to student success.
2. Develop, implement, and review policies, procedures, and programmes relating to student welfare, governance, accommodation, counselling, discipline, and support services.
3. Promote student wellbeing through the provision of counselling, mental health, wellness, and student support programmes.
4. Oversee student accommodation and residential life services to ensure a safe, inclusive, and conducive living and learning environment.
5. Strengthen student governance structures and promote student participation in University decision-making processes.
6. Coordinate student orientation, induction, leadership development, and transition programmes for new and continuing students.
7. Administer student disciplinary processes in a fair, transparent, and consistent manner in accordance with University regulations.
8. Promote and coordinate co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including student clubs, sports, cultural activities, and community engagement programmes.
9. Develop and coordinate interventions for at-risk and vulnerable students and oversee crisis response mechanisms for student-related emergencies.
10. Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across all aspects of student life and services.
11. Manage the Student Affairs budget, resources, and staff to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
12. Establish strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance student support services and promote student success.
13. Collaborate with academic and administrative departments to foster a coordinated institutional approach to student development, retention, progression, and graduation.
14. Monitor, evaluate, and report regularly on the performance of student affairs services, student wellbeing indicators and co-curricular participation.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Grade Twelve (12) School Certificate with five (5) credits or better, including English Language and Mathematics;
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Sciences, Psychology, Public Administration, or a related field;
3. Master’s Degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage;
4. Minimum of eight (8) years’ post-qualification experience, of which at least four (4) years must be at senior management level in a higher education institution or comparable organisation;
5. Demonstrated experience in student affairs management, counselling, welfare, or student development programmes.

ATTRIBUTES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Proven strategic leadership and management experience in student affairs, with the ability to develop and implement student services strategies aligned to institutional goals and student success.
• Strong organisational oversight skills across key student support functions including welfare, counselling, accommodation, discipline, governance, and co-curricular activities.
• Demonstrated experience in leading transformation and continuous improvement of student services within a higher education environment.
• Strong people management skills, with the ability to build, motivate, and sustain high-performing, student-centred teams.
• Sound financial and resource management skills, including budgeting, monitoring, and the ability to mobilise partnerships and external support.
• Strong knowledge of student development, mental health and wellbeing, crisis response systems, and fair and restorative student discipline processes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, staff, management, government agencies, and external partners.
• High levels of integrity, emotional intelligence, resilience, and a strong commitment to student-centred service delivery, inclusion, and continuous improvement.