Dean, School of Sciences and Humanities (SSH) at Nazarbayev University

Astana, , Kazakhstan -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

14 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

15 Apr, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Strategic Leadership, Academic Administration, Research Management, Financial Management, People Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Quality Assurance, Curriculum Development, Policy Development, Institutional Governance, Talent Development, Public Speaking, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Budgeting, Change Management

Industry

Higher Education

Description

Company Description About Nazarbayev University (NU) Nazarbayev University (NU) is a rapidly developing, research-intensive and Kazakhstan’s flagship university. Established as an autonomous, English-medium university, NU is growing in student enrollment, research activity, and global partnerships. Our programs are benchmarked against leading institutions globally with an increasing number holding prestigious international accreditations. Research infrastructure at the University is internationally competitive and research outputs are improving in quality at an unprecedented pace. For example, in 2026 so far, 81% of our outputs are published in journals ranked in the top quartile and 46% in outlets ranked in the top decile. While our position of 401-500 in the Times Higher rankings is creditable for a 15-year-old university, we are moving apace to secure a position within the top 300 institutions in the coming years. While pursuing excellence, we remain committed to national and regional relevance. Our new institutional strategy sets out our ambitions as a world class university that acts as the engine for national development. Prof Waqar Ahmad joined NU as President in July 2024 and has been strengthening the senior leadership team, with the following roles now filled: Prof Rehan Sadiq (previously Provost and Vice President, University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus) joined as Provost six months ago. Prof Huck Hui Ng (Assistant Chief Executive, A*STAR research council Singapore) has joined as Vice President Medicine and Dean School of Medicine. Prof Bjorn Birgisson (Executive Dean University of Georgia and previously Vice President Research at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology) is our new Vice Provost Research and Innovation. Prof Sam Smidt PFHEA (teaching and learning lead at King’s College and before then at University College London) has joined as Vice Provost Academic Affairs. Dr Gulmira Qanay PFHEA (previously Rector Women’s Pedagogical University) is our Vice President Human Resources, Government Relations and Partnerships. Provost Sadiq is now hiring outstanding Deans for some of our Schools. Dean Graduate School of Public Policy has recently been appointed. Search has been launched to appoint Deans for the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, and School of Engineering. This is the fourth available post at Dean level. As we are going through structural changes, we wish to appoint a Dean of the School of Sciences and Humanities (SSH) for a one-year position. The Dean will provide stable and strong leadership to the School during this time of transition, working with the Provost’s team and fellow Deans in implementing the new strategic plan and executing restructuring process. The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of SSH and provides leadership in education, research, innovation, and external engagement. The Dean reports to the Provost and is expected to advance the University’s mission, vision, and commitment to academic excellence, research impact, student success, and national and global engagement. Working closely with the Provost’s team, the Dean provides leadership to the Vice‑Dean(s), Department Heads and other senior staff in the School, and represents SSH within the University and to external stakeholders nationally and internationally. Job Description Key Duties and Responsibilities The Dean is responsible for providing strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the School, including but not limited to the following: Strategic and Institutional Leadership Lead the development, implementation, and periodic review of the SSH strategic plan in full alignment with the University’s new strategic plan. Contribute to the University’s strategic governance as a member of senior academic and management bodies and represent the School on University committees. Ensure that the School’s activities measurably contribute to University priorities. Promote academic freedom, ethical standards, and a culture of excellence in teaching, research, and public service, in line with University regulations. Foster strong internal collaboration with other Schools and Research Centers to support interdisciplinary education and research within NU. Academic Quality, Teaching, and Student Outcomes Ensure high academic quality and continuous improvement of undergraduate and graduate programs, aligned with international best practices. Oversee teaching and learning, assessment, and quality assurance processes within the School. Approve and implement the School’s teaching and learning strategy in consultation with the University. Plan and deliver student recruitment targets, including fee‑paying and international students, contributing to projected tuition revenue KPIs. Promote joint, dual, and interdisciplinary programs with leading international partners. Support initiatives that enhance graduate employability, critical thinking, communication skills, and societal impact. Liaise with the Vice‑Provost for Academic Affairs and Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning on curriculum changes, program development and review, quality assurance, accreditation and compliance matters. Research, Innovation, and Societal Impact Develop and implement the SSH research strategy in alignment with the University research agenda and national priorities. Foster a strong research culture with a focus on: high‑quality publications in Q1 and top-decile journals policy-relevant, socially impactful, and interdisciplinary research international visibility and collaboration. Support growth in external research income from governmental, international, and non‑governmental sources. Encourage faculty engagement in public discourse, policy advisory, and societal impact initiatives. Liaise with the Vice‑Provost for Research and Innovation, and Associate Provost/Director Doctoral Institute, and relevant University units on research infrastructure, funding, and compliance matters. Financial and Resource Management Lead the SSH annual and medium‑term budgeting processes and ensure financial sustainability. Take responsibility for achieving agreed financial and management performance targets, including non‑governmental revenue from academic programs. Ensure that financial operations comply with University internal regulations and approved procedures. Oversee effective use of facilities, digital resources, and infrastructure in support of strategic objectives. Ensure the effective functioning of School‑level committees and governance structures. People Management and Talent Development Lead workforce planning, recruitment, and retention of academic and professional staff. Take part in the recruitment and performance evaluation of senior academic staff. Mentor, develop, and appraise direct reports and promote a culture of high performance and engagement. Support faculty development, promotion, and succession planning, including advancement of women and under‑represented groups in senior academic roles. Contribute to increasing the proportion and development of national faculty in line with University objectives. External Engagement and Reputation Represent SSH to government bodies, international organizations, universities, donors, and industry partners. Reinforce SSH’s national and international reputation through partnerships, public dialogue, and scholarly engagement. Promote the School’s contribution to social, economic, and cultural development in Kazakhstan and beyond. Support organization and hosting of international conferences, forums, and executive education programs in coordination with the University. Compliance, Ethics, and Well‑Being Ensure that all School activities comply with University policies, internal regulations, and applicable legislation. Promote a strong culture of integrity, academic ethics, health, safety, and well‑being within the School. Qualifications Other Requirements Ability to travel internationally and work beyond regular office hours as required. Ability to maintain confidentiality and operate with a high level of professional integrity. Additional Information Application Information This will be a 1-year Dean position, and it is expected that the new dean will join this role during current summer to ensure an overlap with outgoing SSH dean whose term is finishing by the end of July 2026. Applicants should submit: A cover letter addressing qualifications and leadership vision A detailed academic curriculum vitae Names and contact information for three professional references Employment at Nazarbayev University is subject to verification of academic credentials and compliance with institutional policies. Recruitment and selection process Recruitment and selection at Nazarbayev University include the following process: preliminary selection based on experience and qualifications, assessments (e.g. technical skills/capabilities, aptitude, personality, work samples, in-basket exercises, and informal interviews), and motivation. Formal interviews form the final stage of the selection process. They are typically based on organizational values and behaviors and conducted in English. You are encouraged to share your views and values to identify how they fit into Nazarbayev University core values Department: School of Sciences and Humanities Job Type: Administrative-academic staff Grade: N/A

Responsibilities

The Dean provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the School of Sciences and Humanities, overseeing education, research, and innovation. They are responsible for managing budgets, faculty recruitment, and representing the school to internal and external stakeholders.