Non-Academic Roles at West Midlands Open University

Job Summary

• The Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive and Academic Officer of the University, responsible for providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and effective management of the institution.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversee the overall administration, academic programmes, and growth of the University.
• Promote excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and community service.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation bodies.
• Foster partnerships with local and international institutions, industries, and stakeholders.
• Oversee financial management, resource mobilization, and sustainability of the University.
• Serve as the link between the Governing Council, Senate, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A PhD Degree from a recognized University in a relevant discipline.
• Must be a Professor with substantial academic standing and a proven track record of scholarship and research.
• 10–15 years of post-qualification experience in university teaching, research, and administration.
• Must have held a senior academic and administrative position such as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Provost, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to provide dynamic leadership in a university setting.
• Strong understanding of higher education policies, governance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Evidence of academic excellence, including publications in reputable journals.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills.
• High level of integrity, transpare

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Job Summary

• The Registrar serves as the chief administrative officer responsible for providing strategic leadership in academic administration, student records, admissions, examinations, and governance support within the University.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for all registry operations including admissions, examinations, academic records, and student services.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory bodies, accreditation requirements, and university policies.
• Coordinate Senate and Council activities, including preparing agendas, minutes, and implementation of decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement in academic and administrative processes through innovation and technology.
• Supervise, guide, and develop registry staff for efficient service delivery.
• Support the Vice-Chancellor and principal officers in strategic planning and policy development.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Student Management, Social Sciences, Educational Administration, Management, or a related discipline.
• Must possess a PhD in a relevant field.
• Must have served as a Deputy Registrar or Assistant Registrar for a minimum of four (4) years in a recognized tertiary institution.
• Demonstrated deep knowledge of university administration, regulatory frameworks, and academic policies.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Proficiency in modern ICT tools and platforms used for academic and administrative operations.

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Job Summary

• The Bursar is the Chief Financial Officer of the University and is responsible for the management of the institution's financial resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in financial planning, budgeting, and control.
• Oversee the preparation of annual budgets, financial statements, and management reports.
• Ensure prudent management of the University's funds and assets.
• Establish and maintain effective financial systems, internal controls, and audit processes.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, government policies, and relevant statutory requirements.
• Advise the Vice-Chancellor and Governing Council on financial matters.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of the Bursary Department.
• Drive revenue generation strategies and financial sustainability initiatives.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A good Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• A PhD or Master's Degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• Must be a qualified member of a recognized professional accounting body such as Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, or [unclear].
• 10–15 years cognate experience, with at least 5 years in a senior management position in a university or comparable institution.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, budgeting, auditing, and resource control.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• High level of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
• Proficiency in financial management software and ICT tools.

Tenure:

• The appointment shall be for a single term of five (5) years, on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the letter of appointment.

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Job Summary

• The University Librarian is responsible for the overall administration, development, and management of the University Library and its services in support of teaching, learning, research, and community service.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the development and modernization of library services.
• Manage both physical and digital library resources, including acquisition, cataloguing, and access systems.
• Develop and implement policies for effective library operations and user services.
• Support academic staff and students with research, information literacy, and access to scholarly resources.
• Oversee library automation, digital repositories, and e-library services.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare budgets, reports, and development plans for the library.
• Supervise and train library staff.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A good Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information Science or a related field.
• A PhD in Library and Information Science or a related discipline.
• Must be a professionally qualified librarian with membership of relevant bodies such as Nigerian Library Association.
• 10–15 years cognate experience in academic or research libraries, with at least 5 years at a senior management level.
• Demonstrated experience in digital library systems, e-resources management, and library automation.
• Strong leadership, administrative, and organizational skills.
• Evidence of scholarly publications in reputable journals.
• Proficiency in ICT and modern library technologies.

Tenure:

• The appointment shall be for a single term of five (5) years, on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the letter of appointment.

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Job Summary

• The Director will be responsible for coordinating academic planning, quality assurance, accreditation processes, and institutional research to support the University's strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of academic planning.
• Coordinate programme development, review, and accreditation processes.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and quality assurance standards.
• Drive institutional research, data analysis, and academic performance monitoring.
• Prepare and submit reports to regulatory bodies and management.
• Support strategic planning, ranking initiatives, and continuous improvement processes.
• Collaborate with faculties and departments to enhance academic quality and efficiency.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A PhD in Education, Social Sciences, Management, or a related discipline.
• 8–10 years relevant experience in academic planning, quality assurance, or university administration.
• Experience in accreditation processes and regulatory compliance in higher education.
• Strong analytical, research, and report-writing skills.
• Proven ability to work with data-driven decision-making systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in ICT and academic planning tools.

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Job Summary

• The Director will be responsible for the coordination of student services, welfare, discipline, and overall student development within the University.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee student welfare services including accommodation, health services, counseling, and extracurricular activities.
• Develop and implement policies that promote student discipline, engagement, and well-being.
• Coordinate orientation programmes and student development initiatives.
• Supervise student unions, clubs, and associations in line with university regulations.
• Handle student grievances and ensure effective conflict resolution mechanisms.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and conducive learning environment.
• Liaise with academic departments and external stakeholders on student-related matters.
• Ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory policies on student affairs.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Student Personnel Management, Social Sciences, Education, or a related field.
• Master's Degree is required; PhD will be an added advantage.
• 8–10 years relevant experience in student affairs or university administration.
• Demonstrated experience in managing student services and welfare programmes.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• High level of integrity, emotional intelligence, and professionalism.
• Good knowledge of university regulations and student management systems.
• Proficiency in ICT and student information systems.

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Job Summary

• The Director will provide strategic leadership for the planning, development, and delivery of high-quality open and distance learning programmes in line with global best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and management of Open and Distance Learning programmes.
• Develop and oversee e-learning platforms, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and digital content delivery.
• Ensure quality assurance and compliance with regulatory standards for ODL programmes.
• Coordinate instructional design, course development, and digital pedagogy initiatives.
• Promote innovation in online teaching, blended learning, and virtual education delivery.
• Train and support academic staff in ODL methodologies and technologies.
• Monitor student engagement, retention, and performance in ODL programmes.
• Establish partnerships with relevant institutions and organizations to enhance ODL delivery.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A PhD in Education, Educational Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• 8–12 years relevant experience in Open and Distance Learning, e-learning, or academic administration.
• Demonstrated experience in managing Learning Management Systems (e.g., Moodle, Canvas).
• Strong understanding of instructional design, digital pedagogy, and online assessment systems.
• Experience with accreditation and regulatory compliance for distance learning programmes.
• Proven leadership, project management, and team coordination skills.
• Strong ICT proficiency and familiarity with emerging educational technologies.
• Evidence of scholarly publications in relevant areas is an added advantage.

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Job Summary

• The Head of Information Technology (IT) provides strategic leadership, operational management, and technical direction for all ICT activities in the university.
• The position ensures the effective deployment, maintenance, and integration of technology solutions that support teaching, learning, examinations, research, administration, and finance.
• This role also oversees all technology-driven student processes including admission, enrolment, course registration, payment, examinations, and academic reporting ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely service delivery in alignment with the university's mission and goals.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic and Technical Leadership:

• Develop and implement the university's ICT strategy, policy frameworks, and governance standards.
• Oversee the performance, security, and integrity of all ICT systems, networks, and digital platforms.
• Provide strategic direction for ICT initiatives aligned with academic and administrative goals.
• Lead digital transformation projects and system integration for institutional efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Director of Academic Planning, and other senior management to ensure ICT systems effectively support university operations and strategic objectives.

Academic and Administrative Systems Management:

• Supervise and manage all enterprise systems, including the ERP, LMS, MIS, student portal, and payment gateways.
• Configure and maintain fee structures, academic calendars, semester start and end dates, and course registration settings.
• Manage curriculum configuration and course mapping before each registration cycle.
• Ensure seamless student admission, enrolment, and course registration processes.
• Verify and approve student application credentials before acceptance and enrolment.
• Resolve all issues relating to student payment gateways (e.g., Paystack), new applications, and portal access.
• Reconcile Paystack and other payment platform transactions with student payment data on the university portal.
• Supervise result uploads, CBT exam uploads, and compliance monitoring during examinations.
• Export and validate all post-examination data for academic planning, performance evaluation, and reporting.
• Maintain data integrity, compliance with ICT standards, and adherence to institutional policies.

Operational and Reporting Functions:

• Generate and deliver timely, accurate ICT reports to the Academic Affairs, Registry, and Bursary Units to support planning and strategic decisions.
• Collaborate with the Bursary Department to ensure transparent payment reconciliation and reporting.
• Ensure high availability and responsiveness of all ICT systems, especially during registration and examination periods.
• Maintain 24/7 system availability and weekend support to guarantee continuous academic and administrative operations.
• Uphold cybersecurity best practices, data privacy, and institutional ICT standards.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• 8–10 years of experience in ICT management, with at least 4 years in a leadership position.
• Proven experience in managing university or higher education ICT systems, including student information systems, ERP, LMS, and payment platforms.
• Expertise in curriculum management, course registration systems, and CBT examination platforms.
• Strong knowledge of database management, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies.
• Familiarity with Paystack, Remita, and other institutional payment integrations.
• Relevant professional certifications such as ITIL, PMP, CCNA, CISA, or Microsoft Certified Professional are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with executive management and academic leadership.

Key Competencies:

• Strong leadership and collaborative skills.
• Strategic and innovative thinking.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• High ethical standards, accuracy, and integrity.
• Strong team player capable of working effectively with academic and administrative leaders.
• Commitment to 24/7 system availability and weekend support required.
• Ability to deliver results under pressure and manage multiple priorities.