Appointment of Academic Heads of Department
1. Eligibility
Eligibility for consideration for Headship of Departments is normally reserved for persons of professorial status.
Any Professor who wishes to be considered for Headship is invited to make this known at any stage to the Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor (FPVC).
2. Selection and Appointment
Heads of Department will be appointed by the Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor.
Heads of Departments positions will normally be advertised internally and selected following a full selection committee procedure.
FPVCs will ensure appropriate consultation with departmental staff.
It is expected that the Selection Committee, Chaired by the FPVC, will normally include a cognate Head of Department from the Faculty, the Faculty Director of Operations and HR Adviser for the Faculty; a senior Professor from the department and a non-professorial academic member of staff from the department.
Appointments will normally take effect from August each year.
3. Period of Office
Heads of Departments will be appointed for a 4 year term of office which will be preceded by an 8 month Head-Elect period, running from 1 January to 31 August. Appointments may be for a period longer than this according to circumstances. Appointments are renewable.
4. Terms/Benefits
Heads of Departments should arrange appropriate necessary support (teaching, research, administrative or clerical) from within departmental budgets. Where there are exceptional circumstances, the FPVC may agree additional support, normally as a departmental budget supplement.
At the end of the 4 year term of office, Heads are eligible for an additional semester of study leave bringing their total eligibility to two semesters, subject to an agreed programme of activity.
Performance and achievement as Head of Department is reviewed by the Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Senior Remuneration Committee, and rewarded through the Heads' Contribution Scheme.