EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Italian University College (IUC) is a newly established private Institution owned by the Zambian Italian Cultural Centre Trust. Its main mandate is to provide quality higher education programmes to both local and international students.

Position: University College Principal

Job Purpose

The University College Principal will serve as the Chief Executive and Academic Officer who will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, overseeing academic and administrative operations, ensuring the effective implementation of the University College’s vision, mission, strategic priorities, influencing internal stakeholders and external partners while promoting academic excellence, financial sustainability, and institutional growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Institutional Development

• Spearhead the development, implementation and monitoring of the University Strategy and policies.
• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to advance the University College’s vision, mission, short term and long term institutional goals.
• Promote institutional growth through academic expansion, innovation, and strategic initiatives.
• Drive a high-performance culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across all operational and academics functions.
• Ensure alignment of university activities with national higher education priorities and global academic trends.

Academic Excellence, Leadership and Quality Assurance

• Promote and maintain high standards in teaching, learning and research
• Ensure academic programs meet regulatory and accreditation standards
• Promote curriculum development and programme innovation to meet national and international academic standards
• Support academic staff in research, publication, and scholarly activities.
• Ensure the effective functioning of academic governance structures, including Senate and faculty boards.
• Champion initiatives aimed at improving student success, retention, and academic excellence.
• Promote student welfare, engagement for academic success

Financial oversight and Accountability

• Manage the University’s financial planning, budgeting process.
• Oversee the financial management and sustainability of the University.
• Lead initiatives for resource mobilization, fundraising, and income generation.
• Ensure efficient allocation and utilization of institutional resources.
• Promote strategic investments in academic infrastructure, technology, and learning resources.

Governance and Compliance

• Provide overall leadership for the academic, administrative, and operational functions of the University.
• Implement policies and directives approved by the University Council / Board.
• Direct and monitor reporting on legislative and statutory compliance as defined in the Higher Education Authority legal framework and other statutes
• Ensure effective collaboration between academic and administrative units.
• Promote transparency, accountability, and good governance practices in institutional management.

Human Resource management and development

• Lead in the recruitment, retention and development of academic and administrative staff
• Ensure effective performance management and leadership development among senior staff.
• Foster a positive institutional work culture

Public Relations and Partnerships

• Represent the University in local national, regional, and international academic and professional forums.
• Build and Strengthen partnerships with government institutions, industry, professional bodies, and Academic networks.
• Promote the University’s reputation through strategic stakeholder engagement and institutional branding.
• Promote a student-centred academic environment that supports learning, innovation, and personal development.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum PhD from a recognised and accredited institution
• Recognised academic achievements (such as publications and research Leadership)
• Minimum of 5 years of academic experience in higher education, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role (deputy vice chancellor, Dean or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of higher education governance, policy frameworks, and quality assurance systems.

Skills and Key Competences

• Visionary and strategic leadership
• High ethical standards and Strong institutional management and governance skills
• Financial acumen and Effective communication and writing skills
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability

REMUNERATION

Attractive and competitive package will be offered commensurate with one’s qualification and experience.

• Spearhead the development, implementation and monitoring of the University Strategy and policies.
• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to advance the University College’s vision, mission, short term and long term institutional goals.
• Promote institutional growth through academic expansion, innovation, and strategic initiatives.
• Drive a high-performance culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across all operational and academics functions.
• Ensure alignment of university activities with national higher education priorities and global academic trends.
• Promote and maintain high standards in teaching, learning and research
• Ensure academic programs meet regulatory and accreditation standards
• Promote curriculum development and programme innovation to meet national and international academic standards
• Support academic staff in research, publication, and scholarly activities.
• Ensure the effective functioning of academic governance structures, including Senate and faculty boards.
• Champion initiatives aimed at improving student success, retention, and academic excellence.
• Promote student welfare, engagement for academic success
• Manage the University’s financial planning, budgeting process.
• Oversee the financial management and sustainability of the University.
• Lead initiatives for resource mobilization, fundraising, and income generation.
• Ensure efficient allocation and utilization of institutional resources.
• Promote strategic investments in academic infrastructure, technology, and learning resources.
• Provide overall leadership for the academic, administrative, and operational functions of the University.
• Implement policies and directives approved by the University Council / Board.
• Direct and monitor reporting on legislative and statutory compliance as defined in the Higher Education Authority legal framework and other statutes
• Ensure effective collaboration between academic and administrative units.
• Promote transparency, accountability, and good governance practices in institutional management.
• Lead in the recruitment, retention and development of academic and administrative staff
• Ensure effective performance management and leadership development among senior staff.
• Foster a positive institutional work culture
• Represent the University in local national, regional, and international academic and professional forums.
• Build and Strengthen partnerships with government institutions, industry, professional bodies, and Academic networks.
• Promote the University’s reputation through strategic stakeholder engagement and institutional branding.
• Promote a student-centred academic environment that supports learning, innovation, and personal development.

• Visionary and strategic leadership
• High ethical standards and Strong institutional management and governance skills
• Financial acumen and Effective communication and writing skills
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability

• Minimum PhD from a recognised and accredited institution
• Recognised academic achievements (such as publications and research Leadership)
• Minimum of 5 years of academic experience in higher education, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role (deputy vice chancellor, Dean or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of higher education governance, policy frameworks, and quality assurance systems.