Professor of and Dean, AUN School of Law at American University of Nigeria (AUN)

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Professor of and Dean, AUN school of Law is the chief academic and administrative officer of the School and leads faculty and staff of the School. The Dean has both the authority and responsibility in planning, securing resources, implementing and evaluating activities related to academic operations, research, service and student care programs. The Dean is responsible for long-range planning, academic leadership, curricula, budgets, personnel matters, representation of the School both inside and outside the University, and the promotion of its national and international reputation.

DETAILED LISTING OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees the overall operation of his unit, so that each unit and program area maintain consistently high standards
• Works collegially with conveners and unit faculty to ensure collaboration and successful implementation of unit mission
• Prepares reports, plans, and analyses to document and advance unit activities, initiatives and development
• Actively represents the unit and the university to students, parents, professional organizations, articulation partners and other relevant constituencies
• Supervises conveners in the construction of timely class schedules based on student needs and institutional resources including advisement and registration
• Develops new curriculum and reviews and revises existing curriculum with conveners and unit faculty, considering student needs and available resources
• Supervises program reviews and also ensures successful accreditation and facilitates activities at the unit level
• Ensures documented unit, program, and course assessment through development of learning objectives, appropriate strategies, and feedback to ensure academic excellence and integrity of programs
• Mediates between students, faculty and parents in legal and appropriate ways
• Facilitates the resolution of disagreement or conflict between faculty and students
• Represents the School both internally to the University and externally to the various stakeholders
• Develops, articulates, and presents the vision for the unit; translates this vision into strategic goals by developing a unit assessment plan related to university mission and strategic planning objectives
• Provides curricular leadership in relation to university-wide goals by initiating, sustaining, delivering, or eliminating academic programs and school core curricula in accordance with strategic planning goals
• Develops long-range staffing plans to include new faculty hires, retirements, and adequate support staff that are aligned with program delivery, enrolment, and market projections
• Supervises the administration of and ensures the academic quality of Study Abroad and other special programs, facilities, centers, or institutes assigned to the school. 
• Responsible for human resource management of unit faculty and staff
• Evaluates department chairpersons in consultation with department faculty and staff
• Evaluates overall departmental productivity in instruction, research, and service responsibility
• Recommends appointment of appropriately qualified faculty and staff
• Renders timely, professional judgment on periodic evaluations, re-appointments, tenure and promotion
• Responsible for all fiscal matters at unit level
• Plans for, requests, and disburses operational, travel, and other funds legally, responsibly and fairly within given budget limitations.
• Participates in university-wide strategic planning activities, especially as related to academic matters
• Develops/reviews academic policies and may recommend on all-university policies and procedures
• Actively participates in Deans Council meetings, initiatives, and activities.
• Collaborates with Student Affairs, Institutional Advancement, and Administration and Finance Divisions and their various offices for unit-alignment with all-university goals and activities
• Supervises associate/regional professors, department chairs, and Dean’s office staff
• Leads the faculty in developing the vision and inspiring others to accept and extend the Vision for the School
• Leads the faculty in strategic planning activities to further the School’s mission in teaching, research, service and student care
• Monitors the progress towards the School’s strategic plan, leading the faculty and/or administrators to adjust the plan as needed and appropriate
• Implement, monitor and adjust programmatic activities to accomplish the policies established by the faculty relative to the delivery and evaluation of the professional curriculum
• With input from the administrative team and accrediting bodies, establishes the organizational structure of the School to best achieve the strategic plan
• Approves the promotion and tenure guidelines as developed by the various departments’ faculty members, considering the Regents Rules and Institutional policies and procedures
• Provides recommendations on the continued employment, promotion and tenure of the School’s faculty, based on the promotion and tenure guidelines and considering the recommendations of the various faculty committees and departments’ chairs
• Develops, monitors, and adjusts an annual budget of appropriated and non-appropriated funds, linked to the strategic plan of the School and university
• On the recommendation of the Student Affairs Committee, admits applicants to the Student Body, places students on academic probation, and/or suspends students from the School
• Serves as the School’s final arbitrator of student, faculty and staff disputes
• Coordinates the Dean's Advisory Council and the Dean's Student Advisory Council

Requirements for the position:

• Must have a terminal degree in law from a reputable University
• Must have a minimum of ten years of teaching & research experience garnered at a reputable University
• Must have held academic leadership positions for a minimum of seven years
• Must present verifiable evidence of academic publications in reputable journals published both locally and internationally
• Must be proficient in use of ICT tools and e-resources for teaching and research

Other requirements, abilities for the position:

• A strong commitment to development
• An understanding of the essential values of academic integrity, civility, collegiality and diversity in a community of learners
• Initiative, energy and creativity
• Experience in Africa or other parts of the developing world.
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Ability to read, analyse and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, faculty, staff, students, and members of the profession and other business entities.
• Ability to effectively present information to individuals at all levels, ranging from children to members of boards of director and legislators
• Ability to define problems collects data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions to solve problems and plan initiatives
• A demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, cultural diversity, and equal opportunity
• Strong managerial, decision-making, interpersonal, and communication skills